The owners of the MFV Louisa said they are "devastated" by the loss of three crew after the vessel floundered in the southern Minch.
Martin Johnstone, 29, from Caithness and Christopher Morrison, died when the vessel sank about 12 miles south of Barra.
The skipper, Paul Alliston, from Lewis, is still missing.
The fourth crew member, Lachlan Armstrong from Stornoway, managed to swim to rocks. He did not sustain any serious injuries.
In a statement, owners Duncan and Murdo Kennedy and their families, 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.
“We would like to thank the whole community of the Western Isles that has rallied round and offered support at this difficult time and give special thanks to the MCA, Police Scotland, Stornoway and Prestwick rescue helicopters, Barra lifeboat, Finlay MacLeod, RMDSS, and all those that have assisted in the search, both on land and at sea, since last Saturday.
“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 Kennedy brothers are travelling to Barra with other island fishermen as the island
communities prepare to set off for a major land-
Fisherman Lachlan Armstrong who survived told how the liferaft did not inflate after their escape from the sinking vessel.
With the sea lapping at their feet, the crew were forced to manually create a makeshift
floatation sheet out of the rubber material of the un-
They “worked as a team” standing on the back wall of the wheelhouse which was level with the sea as the stern of the sinking boat pointing upwards.
But the improvised floatation sheet could not hold their weight after the vessel sank by her bow.
The incident is being investigated by Police Scotland and also the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch. A report will go to the procurator fiscal said police.
Louisa owners "devastated" by loss of crew
13 April 2016