The body of a man was found by coastguards near his sunken homemade boat off the Isle of Lewis.
It followed a major search and rescue operation was carried out by Stornoway lifeboat, several coastguard teams, the Stornoway-based rescue helicopter as well as volunteers and police.
The missing homemade boat was found off Point
The man had set off in the 11-foot vessel, which he had built himself some years ago, from Brevig Pier at Back early on Tuesday morning and the alarm was raised when he had not returned by evening.
It emerged that he had neither a radio nor a mobile phone on board and concern mounted as north-westerly winds had increased on Tuesday afternoon.
The search on Tuesday evening was eventually stood down overnight and resumed in the morning. Just before 10am today (WED), the crew of the Stornoway lifeboat spotted the tiny missing craft submerged off the peninsula of Point.
A coastguard statement confirmed: “The body of a man has sadly been recovered not far from where the boat was located. The man’s next of kin have been informed of the circumstances. Our thoughts are with the family.
“No further details regarding his identity will be released at this stage. Enquiries are ongoing into this matter and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
