This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8160362.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Probe into fishing capsize deaths Probe into fishing capsize deaths
(20 minutes later)
Investigations are getting under way into the deaths of three fishermen whose boat capsized off the west coast of Scotland.Investigations are getting under way into the deaths of three fishermen whose boat capsized off the west coast of Scotland.
A fourth man was rescued when the boat overturned two miles from Ardnamurchan Point at about 1710 BST on Monday.A fourth man was rescued when the boat overturned two miles from Ardnamurchan Point at about 1710 BST on Monday.
The names of the dead men are yet to be released. The scallop dredger was registered in Maryport, Cumbria.The names of the dead men are yet to be released. The scallop dredger was registered in Maryport, Cumbria.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will investigate why the boat capsized in relatively good conditions.The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will investigate why the boat capsized in relatively good conditions.
The Royal Navy said the area is a submarine exercise area, but there were no operations going on there at the time.The Royal Navy said the area is a submarine exercise area, but there were no operations going on there at the time.
A spokesman said submarines radioed in as a matter of course after an accident such as this and it was absolutely clear that no navy vessels were involved.A spokesman said submarines radioed in as a matter of course after an accident such as this and it was absolutely clear that no navy vessels were involved.
The alarm was sparked when a member of the public saw the boat overturn.The alarm was sparked when a member of the public saw the boat overturn.
Michael Mulford, from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss, said that despite the best efforts of emergency crews, the men lost their lives.Michael Mulford, from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss, said that despite the best efforts of emergency crews, the men lost their lives.
He said: "The saddest thing is that the actual capsize was witnessed, which meant that the alarm was raised literally as the event happened.He said: "The saddest thing is that the actual capsize was witnessed, which meant that the alarm was raised literally as the event happened.
"It's really very sad, that after all that effort, to have to concede that at the end of the night only one of those four is going home safe and well.""It's really very sad, that after all that effort, to have to concede that at the end of the night only one of those four is going home safe and well."
Two helicopters, two lifeboats and several other vessels were involved in the search.Two helicopters, two lifeboats and several other vessels were involved in the search.
By 1815 BST one man had been pulled from the water by the crew of the yacht, Arran Comrade, which had responded to a coastguard mayday call.By 1815 BST one man had been pulled from the water by the crew of the yacht, Arran Comrade, which had responded to a coastguard mayday call.
This reminds us all of the dangerous environment in which our fishermen work each and every day Richard LochheadFisheries SecretaryThis reminds us all of the dangerous environment in which our fishermen work each and every day Richard LochheadFisheries Secretary
A coastguard spokesman said the man had not been wearing a lifejacket.A coastguard spokesman said the man had not been wearing a lifejacket.
He was taken to hospital in Fort William but Northern Constabulary said his injuries were not life threatening. The 32-year-old was taken to hospital in Fort William but Northern Constabulary said his injuries were not life threatening.
The other three crewmen were later recovered from the water but were all pronounced dead on arrival at Broadford Hospital on the Isle of Skye. The other three crewmen, two aged 52 and one aged 45, were later recovered from the water but were all pronounced dead on arrival at Broadford Hospital on the Isle of Skye.
All four crew had been recovered from the water by 2020 BST.All four crew had been recovered from the water by 2020 BST.
Scotland's Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "This is a terrible tragedy and my thoughts are with the crew's families and friends and the wider fishing industry at this time.Scotland's Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "This is a terrible tragedy and my thoughts are with the crew's families and friends and the wider fishing industry at this time.
"This reminds us all of the dangerous environment in which our fishermen work each and every day and the brave efforts that our rescue services always make to help those in need.""This reminds us all of the dangerous environment in which our fishermen work each and every day and the brave efforts that our rescue services always make to help those in need."
'Experienced crew''Experienced crew'
Scallop Association vice chairman John McAllister told BBC Radio Scotland he was "devastated" by the tragedy.Scallop Association vice chairman John McAllister told BBC Radio Scotland he was "devastated" by the tragedy.
Mr McAllister, who said he knew the skipper and the crew, said they were "very experienced" men with good knowledge of the waters where they were fishing.Mr McAllister, who said he knew the skipper and the crew, said they were "very experienced" men with good knowledge of the waters where they were fishing.
"It's very much a terrible tragedy," he said."It's very much a terrible tragedy," he said.
He discounted the possibility of a submarine snagging the vessel's gear - "certainly not, not in the area he was fishing, I would rule that out right away," he said.He discounted the possibility of a submarine snagging the vessel's gear - "certainly not, not in the area he was fishing, I would rule that out right away," he said.
Mr McAllister added: "At the moment it's much too early to speculate what went wrong, but something went wrong very, very quickly."Mr McAllister added: "At the moment it's much too early to speculate what went wrong, but something went wrong very, very quickly."