Major air and sea searches were underway last night off the West Highland coast for a missing local fisherman whose boat was found on rocks.
Residents said the man, named locally as prawn fisherman Alasdair Macleod, is experienced at sea and works at the Applecross Inn.
The huge rescue operation was launched yesterday afternoon after a member of the public called 999 to report a fishing vessel with its engine running on rocks, just south of the village.
A local resident said that he saw about six or seven local fishing vessels all helping out with the search yesterday alongside Portree and Kyle lifeboats and a coastguard rescue helicopter.
The man, who did now want to be named, said he has known the missing man for years, adding: “He is a really experienced fisherman.
“Everyone here is really upset. This is something that happens to other people and not someone you know.
“He’s a nice chap. He’s very helpful and does a lot of work with the community company.”
The resident added: “It’s been flat calm on the water today. It’s been like a duck pond, so I’ve no idea how it happened.”
Another local woman said that the missing fisherman is someone “the community love dearly” but she was too upset to comment any further.
RNLI spokesman Henry Weaver said the two lifeboat crews were operating in very dark and wet conditions which made visibility a challenge.
The coastguard received the 999 call at about 2.30pm yesterday.
An immediate search and rescue operation was launched with Applecross coastguard rescue teams, Kyle and Portree lifeboats, and the coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Stornoway.
A coastguard spokesman said: “After arriving on scene, it was discovered that the fishing vessel had no one on board.
“A number of nearby fishing vessels also joined the search for the missing fisherman after a Mayday relay broadcast was made by the coastguard.”
