Passenger disappears at sea: major rescue operation underway off Scotland’s west coast

15 June 2025 , 21:17

563     0

Passenger disappears at sea: major rescue operation underway off Scotland’s west coast

A search operation is underway after a passenger fell overboard from a ferry off the Scottish coast.

The ferry was crossing the Firth of Clyde on the west coast of Scotland when the incident occurred.

The passenger was on Western Ferries’ route between Dunoon and Gourock when they went overboard.

The service is a car and passenger service.

The ferry service runs between Dunoon and Gourock on the western coast of Scotland
(Picture: iStockphoto/Getty Images)

Coastguard crews and lifeboat personnel were launched on Sunday afternoon as part of rescue efforts.

Officers from Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service are also present.

Ferry operators CalMac and Western Ferries have suspended sailings until further notice.

A CalMac vessel, MV Ali Cat, had joined efforts to find the missing passenger in the sea.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency told the Daily Record: ‘HM Coastguard are responding to reports of a person overboard between the Hunter’s Quay and Gourock area in Scotland.

‘An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter has been tasked to conduct a search, alongside coastguard rescue teams from Largs and Dunoon, in addition to RNLI lifeboats from Helensburgh and Largs.

‘Nearby vessels have been called to assist. Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service are also in attendance.

‘The situation is ongoing.’

James Turner