A salvage effort started this morning to raise a tugboat that capsized in the River Clyde leading to the tragic deaths of two crew members.
George Taft, 65, and Ian Catterson, 73, perished when the vessel sunk in Greenock last month, with their bodies since recovered from the boat.
The crane ship Lara 1 arrived in Greenock from Liverpool this morning, March 12, to recover the boat, with police also implementing a 200m exclusion zone and drone ban around the waters.
The tug capsized off Custom House Quay in Greenock at around 3.30pm on Friday February 24 and the bodies of the two crew members were recovered the following day.
The tug boat 'Biter,' operated by Clyde Marine Services, was escorting the Hebridean Princess cruise ship into the harbour when it capsized and sunk.
Rescue teams arrived on the scene and reportedly tapped on the hull trying to get a response from anyone inside as the vessel started to drift beneath the water, but only minutes later, the boat sank.
Police Scotland has launched an investigation into the tragic incident alongside the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “An operation to recover the tugboat which capsized in the River Clyde off Custom House Quay in Greenock on Friday, 24 February is due to take place over the course of Saturday, 11 March and Sunday, 12 March.
“An investigation to establish the full circumstances is ongoing, in conjunction with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”
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