Search Underway for Missing Fishing Boat with Three Crew Off Western Isles
Maritime authorities deployed aircraft, helicopters, and rescue teams amid warnings of severe weather.
A large-scale search operation is in progress off the Western Isles for a fishing vessel and its three-man crew that has been reported missing. The alarm was raised on Tuesday evening after the boat failed to return to Lewis as scheduled.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has coordinated the deployment of an aircraft and two helicopters to aid in the search. Additionally, six coastguard rescue teams, two RNLI lifeboats, a local boat, and Police Scotland are involved in the effort.
The search is taking place amidst forecasts of adverse weather conditions in the region. A weather system, identified as containing the remnants of Hurricane Isaias, is expected to bring strong gales, heavy rain, and a surge of warm air to parts of the United Kingdom. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the Highlands and Western Isles, anticipating gusts that could reach up to 70 mph (113 km/h) in some areas.