A large-scale search was continuing tonight for a “vulnerable” fisherman who was the sole survivor of a sinking tragedy in 2018.
Police said they are concerned for the welfare of John Miller, 36, who was last seen in the Hillfoot Terrace area of Tarbert in Argyll at 3pm today.
They appealed for anyone who may have seen Mr Miller to call them.
Officers were coordinating the land search which also involved coastguard teams from Tarbert, Inveraray and Crinan who were concentrating around the Tarbert area.
Anxious friends of Mr Miller posted messages on social media expressing concern for his safety and said they hope he is found safe and well.
One friend urged anyone who sees Mr Miller to contact police urgently as he is “incredibly vulnerable” and needs to see a doctor.
Clyde Fishermens’ Association also shared the appeal with a picture of Mr Miller and said: “If anyone sees John Miller please contact the police straight away, he’s incredibly vulnerable right now”.
The Nancy Glen was fishing for prawns when it capsized and foundered in Lower Loch Fyne, within sight of its home port of Tarbert in January, 2018.
Duncan MacDougall, 46, and Przemek Krawczyk, 38, both fathers and husbands who lived in the village, were trapped on board and drowned when the trawler sank.
The alarm was raised by Mr Miller, who was pulled from the water by the crew of a passing boat.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said later the boat sank because a new crane on deck made it so unstable it couldn’t cope with its net filling with mud as it turned.
To escape from the wheelhouse Mr Miller had to climb over the trawl winch, travel along the main deck and climb onto the side of the net drum.
He then jumped off the net drum and over the stern into the sea and swam away from Nancy Glen to avoid becoming trapped.
When he became aware the vessel had not sunk, he began swimming back to the upturned hull to try to find his colleagues. He attempted to inflate the life raft but was unsuccessful.
A passing fish farm vessel came to Mr Miller’s aid after being picked up by its searchlight.