The owners of a crab boat which sank off the Western Isles have said they are “devastated” by the loss of three of its crew.
The bodies of Chris Morrison, 27, from Stornoway and 29-year-old Martin Johnstone from Halkirk in Caithness were recovered after the Louisa sank in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The boat’s skipper Paul Alliston, 42, remains missing, while fourth crewman Lachlann Armstrong, 27, managed to swim to safety.
The crab boat, which went down off Mingulay, is jointly owned by brothers Duncan and Murdo Kennedy from Lewis.
In a statement yesterday, they said: “We are totally devastated at the loss of Paul, Chris and Martin due to the tragic sinking off Mingulay last Saturday.
“Our thoughts, sympathy and prayers are with Paul’s mother, Wilma, and family in Stornoway, Chris’s partner, Naomi, and his children, Jessica and Hazel, also his parents in Leverburgh, Martin’s parents and family in Thurso and with Lachlann and his family, as he reflects over the tragic loss of his close friends in the sinking.”
The Kennedys also thanked the various agencies who have been involved in the search operation, as well as “whole community of the Western Isles that has rallied round”.
They added: “We are engaging fully with representatives from MAIB, officers from Police Scotland and the vessels insurers, as they continue their comprehensive investigation into events which occurred into and following the sinking of the Louisa.”
The brothers have travelled to Barra as the island communities prepare for a major search to try and find the missing Mr Alliston.
Earlier his week survivor Mr Armstrong described the “devastating and upsetting” moment he had been told he was the only member of the crew to be collected safely.
Mr Armstrong revealed that the vessel’s life raft failed to inflate and he attempted to swim ashore to free up space in an attempt to save his colleagues.
He was found the following morning by Barra lifeboat clinging to rocks.
Meanwhile a fundraising effort to collect money for Mr Morrison’s two young daughters has raised more than £10,000 in just over a day.
Police and the MAIB are carrying out a joint investigation into the incident and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.