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Fishermen who died in sinking are named

 

12 April 2016  

Fishermen working on the crab boat which sank in the southern Minch have been named.

 

Martin Johnstone, 29, from Halkirk, near Thurso in Caithness, died after trying to make it to shore in the dark.

 

The body of Chris Morrison originally from Leverburgh, Harris, but living in Stornoway, was recovered by the scene. The 27-year-old is a father of two young daughters.

 

An island fisherman still missing. Paul Alliston, who lived in Lochs, Lewis, was the skipper of the MFV Louisa which took on water and rapidly sunk by the bow about 400 metres off Mingulay on a black, moonless night in the early hours of Saturday.

 

It is understood the 42-year-old - also widely known as Paul Macmillan - could not swim. Searches of the area where the boat sank were conducted by Barra lifeboat on Monday. Further searches will be carried out this week.

 

The fourth crew member, Lachlan Armstrong from Stornoway, managed to swim to rocks. He did not sustain any serious injuries.

 

Mr Armstrong told how the liferaft did not inflate after their escape from the sinking vessel.

 

They were forced to urgently improvise and created a make-shift floatation aid from the un-inflated sheet of rubber, he said.

 

The incident is now under investigation by Police Scotland and the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch, the findings of which will be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal.

 

Chief Inspector Gordon MacLeod of Western Isles police said: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the men who sadly lost their lives as a result of this tragic incident.

 

"Understandably, the families involved will seek answers and we hope by carrying out a thorough investigation with the MAIB we will understand the events which lead to the vessel sinking and the loss of life.

 

“The dedication and professionalism displayed by local coastguard and lifeboat personnel throughout the incident is to be commended.”

 

 

 

 

Martin Johnstone

Chris Morrison