2 harbour crew missing after a tugboat assisting Hebridean Princess capsized off Greenock (Scotland)

   February 25, 2023 ,   Accidents

A major rescue operation has been called off after a tugboat capsized and sank off Scotland's coast Friday afternoon, February 24th.

An RNLI lifeboat, police launch boats and rescue crafts from ships in the area raced to the scene after the alarm was raised at ~3:30 pm.

The tugboat overturned while escorting the Hebridean Princess ship into Greenock Harbour/Glasgow.

A couple of people were onboard the boat when it capsized, the coastguard revealed. They are not believed to have been found.

According to coastguard rescue teams, their surface search had been terminated at 8 pm. Police divers also attended, and are resuming the search on Saturday morning.

"Just before 3.30 pm 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."

Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

For more Hebridean Princess incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.