MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN SEARCH FOR MISSING SCOTTISH FISHING BOAT — POLICE DIVERS RECOVER ITEMS AS TWO CREWMEN REMAIN MISSING
Specialist police divers have recovered items belonging to the fishing vessel Kilda, offering investigators a new lead in the search for two missing fishermen. One crew member’s body has already been recovered from the sea, leaving families and the close-knit island community desperate for answers.
A major development has emerged in the search for a missing Scottish fishing boat after specialist police divers recovered items linked to the vessel off the coast of the Isle of Lewis.
The fishing boat, known as the Kilda, disappeared on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, while operating near Port of Ness in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.
Three men were aboard the vessel when it went missing. The body of skipper Douglas Craigie, 49, was recovered from the water in the early hours of October 14.
His crewmates, Norman Murray, 40, known as Tam, and Murdo Morrison, 23, remain unaccounted for and are being treated as missing people.
The discovery of items belonging to the boat marks a significant development in the investigation, although the vessel itself and the two missing men have not yet been located.
POLICE DIVERS MAKE A NEW DISCOVERY OFF THE COAST
On Thursday, October 22, officers from Police Scotland’s Dive and Marine Unit worked alongside partner agencies to carry out further enquiries in an identified area of interest off Port of Ness.
During the operation, specialist officers recovered items confirmed to belong to the missing fishing vessel.
Authorities have not publicly detailed what the items were or explained what they might reveal about the boat’s disappearance.
Investigators are continuing to work with partner organisations to establish what happened to the vessel and its crew.
The recovery comes after earlier efforts to investigate the area were affected by difficult sea conditions and challenges deploying remotely operated equipment.
For the families waiting for news, the discovery may provide a new line of enquiry, but it has not yet answered the central question of what happened to the Kilda.
THREE FISHERMEN LEFT PORT — ONLY ONE HAS BEEN FOUND
The three men were local to the Isle of Lewis and were part of a fishing community where seafaring remains an important part of daily life.
Police believe the Kilda left Brevig at approximately 7:30am on October 13 before travelling towards the Port of Ness area to work.
Concern grew later that evening when the boat failed to return as expected. The alarm was raised at around 9:20pm, and police were notified later that night.
A major search operation followed, involving Police Scotland, HM Coastguard, the RNLI and other resources.
Despite the efforts of emergency crews, the outcome was devastating. Douglas Craigie’s body was recovered from the sea at approximately 2:45am on October 14.
Norman Murray and Murdo Morrison have not been found. Police continue to treat both men as missing while enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.
A COMPLEX SEARCH IN CHALLENGING CONDITIONS
The search has been complicated by conditions at sea and the difficulty of examining the area believed to be relevant to the investigation.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch had established an exclusion zone for divers and vessels while work was carried out in the area. Police Scotland confirmed that the restriction was due to be lifted at 11:59pm on Thursday, October 22.
Authorities have stressed that the operation is complex and that specialist teams need time and appropriate conditions to carry out their work safely.
Inspector Neil Taylor, the local area inspector for the Western Isles, said police remained focused on working with partner agencies to obtain answers for those affected.
He also urged members of the public not to attempt their own searches in dangerous conditions.
Anyone who believes they have information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference 3575 of October 13.
FAMILIES AND A CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY LEFT WAITING
The disappearance has had a profound impact on the families of all three men and on communities across Lewis.
With two crew members still unaccounted for, relatives face the painful uncertainty of not knowing what happened after the boat failed to return.
A fundraising campaign has been established to support the families affected by the tᩚraɢedy. The Western Isles Fishermen’s Association has also been working with local communities to help ensure that support is available to those who need it.
Tributes have been paid to Douglas Craigie, who was well known in the area. Messages of support have also reflected the concern felt for the families of Norman Murray and Murdo Morrison.
Police have asked the public to respect the families’ privacy as the search and investigation continue.
THE SEARCH FOR ANSWERS CONTINUES
The recovery of items from the Kilda represents a new development in a case that has brought grief and uncertainty to the Isle of Lewis.
However, investigators have not yet established the full circumstances surrounding the vessel’s disappearance. The recovered items may assist their enquiries, but their significance has not been publicly confirmed.
For now, the focus remains on locating the missing boat, finding Norman Murray and Murdo Morrison, and establishing what happened to the three-man crew.
One fisherman has been recovered from the sea, while two others remain missing. As specialist teams continue their work, families and the wider community are waiting for answers that could help them understand an event that has changed their lives forever.
The information in this report reflects updates available on October 23, 2026. The two missing crew members have not been confirmed deceased, and the cause of the vessel’s disappearance remains unestablished.
Sources:
- Police Scotland — Search continues for missing men and fishing vessel
- Sky News — Items recovered in search for missing fishing boat and crew off Isle of Lewis
- STV News — Items from missing fishing boat Kilda recovered off Lewis
