Stornoway Coastguard are presently engaged in the co-ordination of the search and rescue of three missing fishermen from a fishing vessel, in the vicinity of Bo Fascadale, approx 1.5m north of Kilmorie, Ardnamurchan.
At around 5.10 this afternoon a member of the public called the Coastguard having seen the vessel overturn, and a full scale search was mounted. The caller described how the upturned hull was visible amongst a sea of white horses towards the west of Eigg.
The Coastguard rescue helicopter based at Stornoway was immediately scrambled to the scene. The Mallaig RNLI lifeboat was also requested to launch and a mayday signal was broadcast into the area by Stornoway Coastguard. The Kilhoan Coastguard Rescue Team were also immediately sent to the shoreline to keep a visual observation of the upturned hull. The Coastguard Tug also nearby was alerted to the unfolding incident. A further lifeboat from Tobermory was also asked to launch.
By 6.15 one person had been pulled from the water by the crew of a yacht, the `Arran Comrade’ who had responded to the mayday call whilst a further helicopter from the Royal Naval Air Station at Prestwick was sent to the area. The recovered man was not wearing a lifejacket and he confirmed that there had been four in total on board the vessel. The man was transferred to a lifeboat and taken to Broadford Hospital.
A further two people have now been recovered from the water and the search is continuing for the missing fourth man.
The weather in the area is currently southwesterly winds Force 5 to 7, backing south 3 or 4, then backing northeast 4 or 5 later. The sea state is moderate, but rough at first west of the Outer Hebrides with showers and good visibility.
