64-year-old missing after person falls overboard from Scottish ferry

The National

16-06-2025

Police confirmed they were providing support to the man's family following the incident on the Western Ferries vessel MV Sound of Shuna.
A search of the area was launched as soon as the alarm was raised at around 1.40pm, before being suspended almost seven hours later.
However, after coastguard teams were seen at the McInroy's Point ferry terminal in Gourock on Monday, HM Coastguard said that teams from Greenock, Helensburgh and Dunoon had been sent that afternoon to assist in the search.
Chief Inspector James McArthur from Police Scotland said: "Around 1.40pm on Sunday, 15 June, 2025, we received a report of a 64-year-old man missing from a ferry travelling between Gourock and Dunoon.
"Police and partner agencies including the Coastguard attended and extensive searches have been carried out on the water and shoreline.
"Searches and enquires on ongoing and officers are providing support to his family."
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said on Monday: "HM Coastguard responded to reports of a person overboard between the Hunters Quay and Gourock area in Scotland on Sunday 15 July.
"This afternoon, coastguard rescue teams from Helensburgh, Greenock and Dunoon were sent to assist with the search."
The person fell into the water at 1.20pm on Sunday, during a sailing from Gourock to Hunters Quay, near Dunoon.
A spokesperson for the ferry operator confirmed that the crew of the MV Sound of Shuna initiated their "person overboard" procedures in accordance with maritime safety protocols as soon as the alarm was raised.
Western Ferries and CalMac vessels took part in the search, along with two RNLI crews, five coastguard teams and a number of private vessels as well as Police Scotland.
Western Ferries' managing director Gordon Ross commended all of those involved with the search and highlighted their "prompt response and assistance".
A spokesperson for the company said on Monday: "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.
"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 suspended its sailings between McInroy's Point and Hunters Quay as soon as the alarm was raised, with services resuming at around 9pm on Sunday.
CalMac confirmed that MV Ali Cat's sailings between Gourock and Dunoon were suspended until 9.20pm while the vessel and its crew took part in the search.