An investigation has been launched into the tragic death of a fisherman whose body was found in the sea at Shieldaig.
The man, who has been named locally as father Duncan Matheson, was pronounced dead at the scene on Tuesday.
Yesterday, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch confirmed that officers would be launching an investigation in the Highlands.
An MAIB spokesman said: “The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has sent inspectors to Shieldaig, Scotland, to start an investigation following a fatal accident.”
The incident triggered a major rescue effort involving police, ambulance, the coastguard service and crew from the RNLI.
The Stornoway Coastguard search-and-rescue helicopter was called to the scene alongside the Applecross, Gairloch and Loch Ewe Coastguard rescue teams and Portree and Kyle lifeboats.
It’s understood the 63-year-old prawn fisherman had set off from Ardheslaig port just to the north of Shieldaig on the Applecross peninsula before the tragedy happened.
He was on his way to a larger vessel in a small dinghy when he slipped into the water.
A Coastguard spokeswoman said: “HM Coastguard received a call reporting that a man had fallen into the water at Shieldag in Wester Ross.
“Applecross, Gairloch and Loch Ewe Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent, with Portree and Kyle RNLI lifeboats. The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Stornoway was also on scene. Police Scotland also attended.”
The Portree RNLI service also confirmed its crew was called out to help with the incident following a report of a man in the water.
A spokesman said: “The circumstances of this tragic incident are now being investigated by Police Scotland.”
It is the second time a prawn fisherman has died in an accident at sea in the area over the past year.
Alasdair Macleod, 57, died while out on his boat, the Varuna, which ran aground with its engine running on November 20. His body was discovered following a large scale search three weeks later.
