Police have formally identified 49-year-old Douglas Craigie as the fisherman whose body was recovered following the disappearance of the fishing boat Kilda off the coast of the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Western Isles. Two other crew members, Norman Murray, 40, and Murdo Morrison, 23, remain missing as extensive multi-agency search and rescue operations continue in challenging weather conditions.
The alarm was raised at approximately 21:20 on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, when the fishing vessel failed to return as scheduled to Lewis. Police Scotland were subsequently alerted at 23:35. The Kilda had been operating in waters near the Port of Ness in the northern part of the island when contact was lost. Douglas Craigie’s body was discovered at approximately 02:45 on Wednesday morning, while the search for his two crewmates and the vessel remains active and ongoing.
Extensive Multi-Agency Search and Rescue Operations
Emergency services, including HM Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and Police Scotland, have mobilized significant resources to scour the waters off north Lewis. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) deployed a fixed-wing aircraft and two helicopters originating from Stornoway and Shetland, alongside six coastguard rescue teams and a local vessel.
The RNLI launched Stornoway’s all-weather lifeboat at 21:42 on Tuesday, followed shortly after by the deployment of Lochinver RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat. Chief Inspector Ross McCartney, local area commander for Police Scotland in the Western Isles, emphasized that concerted efforts are underway to locate the missing vessel and crew.
“We are very aware of the impact that this incident will have on communities across the Outer Hebrides and beyond. I would like to reassure people that considerable efforts are ongoing between ourselves and partners to locate the vessel and the two remaining unaccounted for crew members,” Chief Inspector McCartney said. “The families of all three men involved are being provided with specialist support as these searches continue.”
Challenging Weather Conditions Impede Recovery Efforts
Search and rescue teams have faced hazardous environments as severe weather systems sweep across northern Scotland. The Met Office issued a yellow warning for strong winds covering the Outer Hebrides, Skye, and parts of the western Highlands. Forecasters warned of gusts reaching up to 70 mph (113 km/h), heavy rain, and significant travel disruptions, including canceled CalMac ferry routes.
Authorities have urged members of the local community to exercise extreme caution and refrain from organizing independent searches that could jeopardize public safety.
“We know that the local community will be keen to help in any way they can. However, conditions are very challenging and I would urge people not to put themselves at any risk. Please do not attempt to carry out searches in areas which put you at risk of harm,” McCartney added. Police have requested that anyone with relevant information contact authorities on 101, quoting reference 3575 of October 13.
Community Impact and Official Responses
The tragedy has deeply affected the tight-knit community of Ness and the wider Isle of Lewis, where commercial fishing remains a cornerstone of the local economy and culture. Kenneth Macleod, convener of the local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, described the event as a “very dark day for the community of Ness and the community of Lewis in general.”
First Minister John Swinney also expressed his condolences via social media, stating: “This is deeply distressing news. My heart goes out to the families of the three fishermen in Ness, and the communities on the Isle of Lewis.”
Additionally, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) confirmed it has deployed a team of inspectors to conduct a preliminary assessment into the loss of the UK-registered fishing vessel Kilda. A formal determination regarding a full safety investigation will be made following the review of collected preliminary evidence.
