Major search ongoing after boat wreckage found near Lochinver

Emergency services were called out after a mast was spotted sticking out of the water around 25 yards off the shore at Strathan Bay.

By Bailey Moreton

January 7 2024, 12:14 pm

Lochinver RNLI posted an image of their search operation on social media. Image: Facebook/ RNLI

A major search operation is ongoing on the west coast for a yacht owner after the sunken vessel was found off the coast of Lochinver.

Lochinver lifeboat confirmed it was first called out at 10.40am on Saturday morning to assist after a mast was spotted sticking out of the water.

The wreckage had been seen by the coastguard some 25 yards off the shore at Strathan Bay, with debris washed up on the coastline.

A large-scale search has been ongoing for the past 24 hours.

It is currently unclear whether anyone was on the vessel at the time it sank.

Multi-agency search ongoing in Lochinver

Debris washed up on the coastline at Lochinver

The search is being undertaken by coastguard search and rescue teams, including helicopter support, crews from the RNLI and the police.

A spokeswoman for the coastguard said: “A search is ongoing around Lochinver following a report of debris washing ashore from a suspected yacht in Strathan Bay, near Lochinver.

“A Coastguard helicopter and Lochinver RNLI lifeboat have been sent to join the search, supported by coastguard rescue teams from Lochinver, Achiltibuie and Ullapool.”

The incident is being overseen by Police Scotland who are carrying out inquiries to make contact with the boat’s owner.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Around 12.30pm on Saturday January 6, we were made aware of a yacht capsized at Strathan Bay, Lochinver.”

She added that enquiries are still an early stage to establish the full circumstances of what has happened and when it (the sinking) occurred.