Major water search for man who fell from ferry in Dunoon suspended
A search for a Scots man who fell overboard from a ferry on Sunday has been called off.
The man was reported missing at around 1pm on June 15, from the Sound of Shauna, as it travelled between Gourock to Dunoon on the West Coast. The service was suspended to allow a search to take place, however, sailings resumed at around 9pm yesterday.
A multi-agency response came together to search for the man, but was stood down on Sunday evening.
The man, said to be in his 60s, was allegedly reported missing by his wife, who was also travelling on the service. She raised the alarm, which prompted a search from coastguard, helicopters, lifeboats and Police Scotland.
Sadly the search has now been called off, according to Western Ferries, who run the boats on the route the incident took place on.
A spokesperson for Western Ferries said: "At approximately 13.20 on Sunday 15th June, the crew of Western Ferries' Sound of Shuna were alerted to an overboard incident. The vessel's crew immediately initiated the overboard procedures in accordance with maritime safety protocols.
"Emergency services were contacted, and a co-ordinated search and rescue operation was launched involving all four Western Ferries vessels, RNLI lifeboats from Helensburgh and Largs, Caledonian MacBrayne's Ali Cat and several private vessels, together with the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter."
They continued: "Police Scotland the Scottish Ambulance Service were also in attendance. Regrettably after an exhaustive search the individual was not located, and the Coastguard made the difficult decision to call off the search at around 8.30pm.
"Western Ferries' Managing Director Gordon Ross has commended the emergency agencies and all those involved with the search for their prompt response and assistance."
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A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard responded to reports of a person overboard between the Hunter's Quay and Gourock area in Scotland on Sunday 15 July.
"An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was tasked to conduct a search, alongside coastguard rescue teams from Largs, Kames, Helensburgh, Greenock and Dunoon, in addition to RNLI lifeboats from Helensburgh and Largs. Nearby vessels were also called to assist.
"Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service were also in attendance. The search has been suspended."
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