# Empty Life Raft from Missing Fishing Boat Kilda Found in Shetland Search continues for two missing crew members after vessel disappeared near Lewis island. - **Source:** [BBC News – Scotland](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/scotland) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/802951cd-135d-43d5-8faa-b87f446e275d ## Life Raft Discovery An empty life raft belonging to the missing fishing boat Kilda has been discovered at West Burrafirth in Shetland. This location is approximately 200 miles, or 320 kilometers, northeast of the area where the vessel originally disappeared. Authorities have officially confirmed the equipment originated from the Kilda, which vanished on October 13. ## Search Operation Status Three men were aboard the Kilda when it went missing north of Lewis. Search teams recovered the body of 49-year-old crew member Douglas Craigie the day after the incident. However, Norman Murray, aged 40, and 23-year-old Murdo Morrison remain unaccounted for, prompting ongoing efforts by multiple maritime agencies and local experts. ## Coordinated Recovery Efforts Police Scotland is collaborating with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to locate the vessel. Despite utilizing specialist ships and identifying potential sites north of the Isle of Lewis, no trace of the boat has been found at the specific locations investigated by the Northern Lighthouse Board. ## Impact on Community Duncan Macinnes, secretary of the Western Isles Fishermen's Association, described the event as a devastating tragedy for the local community. He noted that this incident represents one of the worst fishing disasters in the Western Isles in an entire generation, leaving families and the local industry in a state of profound grief. ## Search Challenges The search operation faces significant difficulties due to the vast maritime environment and the lack of concrete wreckage sightings. While the life raft provides a geographical marker, the main body of the fishing boat remains missing. Experts continue to analyze maritime data to determine the vessel's final movements near the Port of Ness. ## Official Statements Inspector Neil Taylor of Police Scotland emphasized that authorities are doing everything possible to locate the missing men. The department expressed gratitude toward all partners involved in the search. Officials continue to provide updates to the families affected, maintaining a focus on the ongoing recovery mission despite the lack of recent progress. ## Historical Context Fishing remains a high-risk industry in the Western Isles, and such incidents are rare but carry heavy emotional tolls. The loss of the Kilda is being compared to past maritime tragedies that have shaped local safety protocols. The community is currently relying on the support of rescue services during this difficult period. ## Future Outlook The investigation into the sinking of the Kilda remains active as agencies coordinate their next steps. Future efforts will likely focus on sonar mapping of the seabed to identify potential wreckage sites. Until the vessel or the remaining crew members are located, the search will continue to be a primary regional priority. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmj47j48n794o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._