This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/western-isles-fishing-vessel-sinks-with-three-crew-members-missing-a6976056.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Western Isles fishing vessel sinks with three crew members missing Two dead and one missing after Western Isles fishing vessel sinks
(about 4 hours later)
A fishing vessel has sunk off the Western Isles in Scotland. The bodies of two crew members have been found after a fishing vessel sank off the Western Isles in Scotland.
Three of the four crew members are missing, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said. One of the crew is still missing while another was rescued and taken to hospital by helicopter.
The crab-fishing vessel was named locally as the Stornoway-registered Louisa.
The coastguard received a distress alert just before 3.45am on Saturday, and the vessel's emergency positioning beacon was activated near Mingulay.The coastguard received a distress alert just before 3.45am on Saturday, and the vessel's emergency positioning beacon was activated near Mingulay.
One of the crew was rescued and taken to hospital by helicopter. The crab-fishing vessel was based in Lewis, a spokesman for Barra RNLI said.
A Maritime & Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said the vessel went down in relatively calm weather conditions.A Maritime & Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said the vessel went down in relatively calm weather conditions.
She said: "The coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Stornoway has been searching the area along with the Barra RNLI lifeboat. The coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Stornoway was searching the area, along with the Barra RNLI lifeboat, which has returned to continue the search.
"The lifeboat remains in the area and the coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick has taken over so the search can continue." Mark Rodaway, National Maritime Operations Commander, for UK coastguard said: “Despite an intensive search including the helicopters, lifeboat and other fishing vessels in the area, we have been unable to locate the missing fisherman.
A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) spokesman said: "The MAIB has deployed a team to conduct an investigation." "Our thoughts are with all those involved."
The average sea tempeartures around the Western Isles are 6-8°C. Chief Inspector Alastair Garrow, of Police Scotland, said: "At this time we can confirm that the bodies of two men have been recovered.
According to the US Search and Rescue Task Force cold water survival manual, the expected survival time in such temperatures is 1-3 hours, with exhaustion or unconsciousness setting in within 30-60 minutes. "A third man was rescued and was taken to hospital at Stornoway. He is not seriously injured.
"A fourth man was on the boat and is still missing. The next of kin of all the men have been informed.
"An investigation will be carried out in parallel with the police and the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch (MAIB) and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."
Additional reporting by agenciesAdditional reporting by agencies