Divers join rescue operation after tugboat sinks in River Clyde with two on board still missing

THE search for two sailors missing from a sunken tugboat is set to continue today.

The tugboat capsized near the Custom House Quay at the mouth of the River Clyde yesterday afternoon.

The search for the two people was called off last night at 8pm and is expected to resume at some point this morning.

A police boat was spotted on the water and the police confirmed enquiries into the full circumstances of the incident are currently underway.

Last night rescue vessels with searchlights were on the water as the search stretched into the night.

And during the day a coastguard helicopter, police rescue boats and lifeboat crews were all on the scene as the rescue effort got underway.

Last night, a witness to the horror accident claimed the tug was towing cruise ship the MV Hebridean Princess.

He claimed the tug was to the rear of the ship when the horror incident unfolded.

He claimed: “The tug at the aft end (rear) went a bit to port and then just flipped over.

“But the ship kept going for a bit.”

He further claimed: “It took them 15 minutes to launch the lifeboat because it got stuck halfway.

“But by then the Coastguard and police from Faslane all came.

“They went and hit the boat a couple of times but then they floated back a bit and the tug sunk.

“It was so quick.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police were made aware of a tugboat having capsized off Custom House Quay in Greenock around 3.30pm on Friday, 24 February, 2023.

“Emergency services attended, including HM Coastguard and RNLI.

“Officers, including Police Scotland’s Dive and Marine Unit and Air Support Unit, have been carrying out searches in the area and these searches will resume on the morning of Saturday, 25 February.

“Enquiries are ongoing, assisted by partners, to establish the full circumstances.”

A spokesperson for the Coastguard said: "HM Coastguard responded to reports of a capsized vessel off Custom House Quay in Greenock yesterday, February 24.

"It is believed the vessel had two crew members onboard.

"Just before 3.30pm Coastguard Rescue Teams from Helensburgh and Greenock, a lifeboat from Helensburgh RNLI and the Coastguard helicopter from Prestwick were sent to assist and searched the area.

"Multiple vessels on the Clyde in the vicinity of the incident also responded, including an MOD Police vessel.

"The Coastguard's involvement in the surface search was terminated at 8pm."

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