MAJOR UPDATE IN FV KILDA TRAGEDY — POLICE DIVERS RECOVER ITEMS FROM MISSING FISHING BOAT AS TWO FISHERMEN REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR

One fisherman has been found, two of his crewmates remain missing, and a close-knit island community is waiting for answers after a fishing vessel disappeared off Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

A heartbreaking fishing tragedy off the Isle of Lewis has taken a new turn after specialist police divers recovered items confirmed to belong to the missing vessel, FV Kilda.

The boat disappeared on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after heading out to work near Port of Ness in the Outer Hebrides. Three local men were aboard: skipper Douglas Craigie, 49, Norman “Tam” Murray, 40, and Murdo Morrison, 23.

In the early hours of the following morning, Douglas’s body was recovered from the sea.

More than a week later, his two crewmates remain missing, and the fishing boat itself has yet to be located.

The latest development has renewed hopes that investigators may be able to establish what happened, although authorities have not announced a cause for the incident.

THREE MEN WENT TO SEA — ONLY ONE HAS BEEN FOUND

The Kilda is believed to have left the Brevig area of Lewis at around 7:30 a.m. on October 13 before travelling towards Port of Ness.

When the vessel failed to return, concerns were raised and an emergency search operation was launched.

HM Coastguard, Police Scotland, RNLI lifeboats, rescue teams and aircraft took part in extensive efforts to locate the boat and its crew.

Douglas Craigie’s body was recovered at approximately 2:45 a.m. on October 14. Police later confirmed his identity and notified his family.

Norman Murray and Murdo Morrison remain unaccounted for and are being treated as missing people.

All three men were local to the Isle of Lewis, making the tragedy especially painful for the island’s fishing community.

POLICE DIVERS MAKE A NEW DISCOVERY

On October 22, specialist officers from Police Scotland’s Marine and Dive Unit carried out targeted searches in an area of interest off the coast of the Ness.

During those searches, divers recovered items confirmed to belong to the Kilda.

The discovery is an important development in the investigation, but police have not said that the vessel has been recovered or that the two missing men have been located.

Inspector Neil Taylor said officers were continuing to work with partner agencies and doing everything possible to obtain answers for those affected.

He also stressed that the operation was complex and urged the public not to put themselves at risk by attempting their own searches.

A maritime exclusion zone that had restricted divers and vessels in the search area was scheduled to be lifted late on October 22, according to reports.

 CHALLENGING CONDITIONS COMPLICATE THE SEARCH

The search has been hampered by difficult sea conditions.

Earlier efforts to investigate an area of interest were temporarily paused after rough water and challenges with anchoring affected the deployment of a remotely operated vehicle.

Specialist officers subsequently returned to the area to continue their enquiries.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has begun a preliminary assessment into the loss of the UK-registered fishing vessel.

At this stage, investigators have not established precisely what happened to the Kilda or why it failed to return to shore.

The recovery of items belonging to the boat may help investigators piece together further details, but the circumstances remain under investigation.

 A COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

The loss has shaken the Western Isles, where fishing is more than a livelihood — it is part of the fabric of local life.

Families, friends and fellow fishermen are facing the painful uncertainty surrounding Norman and Murdo, while Douglas’s loved ones grieve his death.

Local representatives have expressed their condolences to all three families and thanked the emergency crews and community members who contributed to the search.

Police have asked that the families’ privacy be respected during this deeply difficult time.

Authorities have also warned members of the public against carrying out dangerous searches themselves. Anyon