The body of a Filipino sailor has been recovered from Fraserburgh Harbour.
Police divers made the recovery yesterday morning after a major search and rescue operation involving the RNLI, Coastguard, police and a helicopter.
It is thought the man was a deck hand on the Buckie-registered twin-rig trawler, Bonaventure, and had been trying to board the vessel when he fell into the water.
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Emergency services rushed to the scene in early yesterday after the alarm was raised.
A search operation began involving the Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Banff coastguard crews, Fraserburgh RNLI lifeboat, the Inverness coastguard search and rescue helicopter, police and the ambulance service.
It was shortly after 5am that the search was called off and investigations began as divers found the man’s body in the water.
Police were also in attendance at the harbour, which was busy with docked vessels due to bad weather at sea and the upcoming festive period, throughout much of the day.
Officers confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances and the man had died in ” a tragic accident”.
It is believed the man had been drinking in the hours before the incident.
Locals were shocked at the death, though members of the fleet said they were all to aware of the dangers of the profession, even when docked.
Many crews have an international flavour and a Filipino national on one of Fraserburgh’s other vessels said: “The harbourmaster told me about the Filipino man who fell into the water this morning.
“I’m not sure who he was as he spoke different Filipino to me. Lots of us speak different languages.”
Local Inspector Martin MacDougall said: “Inquiries are currently ongoing to trace the man’s next of kin so no further information will be released at the moment.
“This is a tragic incident and I would like to thank our partners for their assistance.
“Police officers will remain in the area meantime while inquiries are carried out and I would ask anyone who has information that could assist us to call 101.”
The police diving unit left the scene shortly after 11.30am.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman added: “At approximately 1.10am, HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public saying that they had seen a person enter the water at Fraserburgh Harbour.
“Fraserburgh RNLI lifeboat, Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Banff Coastguard Rescue Teams, HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Inverness, Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service were all sent.
“The search was suspended just before 5am pending further information.”