A body has been recovered in the search for three men who were on board a fishing boat that went missing off the north of Lewis, in what a local councillor has called "a very dark day" for the Western Isles.
The two other men remain missing. A major search involving a plane, two coastguard helicopters, two lifeboats and local volunteers has been under way off the Port of Ness since late on Tuesday.
Police Scotland said: "The body of one of the men has been recovered, however formal identification is yet to take place. The next of kin of the men are aware and are being supported by officers."
How the alarm was raised
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the alarm was raised at about 21:20 on Tuesday, when it became clear the boat was overdue from Lewis.
The RNLI said Stornoway's all-weather lifeboat was launched at 21:42. A spokesperson said the search, involving coastguard air and ground teams, was joined by the Lochinver all-weather lifeboat a short time later and continued through the night and into Wednesday morning.
Coastguard helicopters were sent from Stornoway and from Shetland. Coastguard rescue teams searched the shoreline, and local boats joined the operation as daylight broke over the north of the island.
"We cannot comprehend what the families of the three fishermen are going through at the moment," the RNLI said.
A close-knit community
Ness, at the northern tip of Lewis, is one of the most exposed corners of the British Isles. Its small harbour has served generations of fishing families, and the loss of a boat is felt in almost every household.
Local councillor Kenneth Macleod said it was "a very dark day" for islanders, and that thoughts were with the families of all three men. He said the search had drawn in not only the emergency services but also people from the local community who know the waters well.
In island communities, fishing remains not just an industry but a way of life. Crews are often made up of relatives and neighbours, and news of an overdue boat spreads quickly from harbour to harbour.
Racing the weather
The search has been taking place against a worsening forecast. A weather system carrying the remnants of Hurricane Isaias is bringing gales, heavy rain and a surge of unusually warm air to parts of the UK.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind covering parts of the Highlands and the Western Isles until 19:00 on Wednesday, with gusts of up to 70mph possible in exposed places.
Ferry routes across the west coast have been cancelled, and Barra and Benbecula airports have been closed because of the wind. Conditions at sea off the north of Lewis are expected to be extremely difficult for much of the day, adding to the strain on search crews.
Rescue teams are trained to work in heavy weather, but strong winds and high seas can limit how close helicopters and lifeboats can work to cliffs and rocks, and reduce visibility for those scanning the water.
The dangers of fishing
Commercial fishing is consistently ranked among the most dangerous occupations in the UK. Small vessels working inshore waters are particularly vulnerable to sudden changes in the weather, equipment failure and capsizing.
Safety campaigners have for years urged crews to wear personal flotation devices at all times on deck and to carry personal locator beacons, which can transmit a position directly to rescuers if someone goes into the water.
Investigators from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch are usually notified of serious incidents involving fishing vessels and may examine what happened once the search has ended.
What happens next
The coastguard has not said how long the search will continue. Such operations are kept under constant review, taking into account the weather, the sea temperature and the chance of finding anyone alive.
Police have not released the names of the men. Formal identification of the man whose body was recovered has yet to take place.
For now, the people of Ness are waiting on the harbour wall and at home for news, as the wind rises over one of Scotland's most remote coastlines.
