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Concerns over loch search 'delay' Concerns over loch search 'delay'
(about 5 hours later)
The lack of a local rescue boat may have delayed the search for four men on Loch Awe, it has been claimed.The lack of a local rescue boat may have delayed the search for four men on Loch Awe, it has been claimed.
Oban councillor Roddy McCuish said a boat based at the town's fire station was removed about a year ago.Oban councillor Roddy McCuish said a boat based at the town's fire station was removed about a year ago.
Steven Carty, 42, and Thomas Douglas, 36, have been missing since the early hours of Saturday after going out in a boat during a trip from Glasgow.Steven Carty, 42, and Thomas Douglas, 36, have been missing since the early hours of Saturday after going out in a boat during a trip from Glasgow.
The bodies of Mr Carty's brother William, 47, and friend Craig Currie, 30, were recovered on Saturday morning.The bodies of Mr Carty's brother William, 47, and friend Craig Currie, 30, were recovered on Saturday morning.
The search for the two missing men entered its third day on Monday.The search for the two missing men entered its third day on Monday.
The tragedy has raised concerns about the lack of a rescue vessel based locally.The tragedy has raised concerns about the lack of a rescue vessel based locally.
Chief Inspector Andrew Mosley describes the sceneChief Inspector Andrew Mosley describes the scene
Councillor Roddy McCuish said that if a rescue boat had still been based at Oban fire station it could have been used in attempts to find the men.Councillor Roddy McCuish said that if a rescue boat had still been based at Oban fire station it could have been used in attempts to find the men.
Instead, a Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service rigid inflatable boat from Renfrew was used, which took about an hour to get to the scene.Instead, a Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service rigid inflatable boat from Renfrew was used, which took about an hour to get to the scene.
Mr McCuish said: "This was a prime example where the Oban boat could have been used, had it not been withdrawn.Mr McCuish said: "This was a prime example where the Oban boat could have been used, had it not been withdrawn.
"Some reports have said the men were shouting in the water and all the rescue teams could do was throw lines in the hope they could get them."Some reports have said the men were shouting in the water and all the rescue teams could do was throw lines in the hope they could get them.
"This proves that we need a boat at Oban fire station."This proves that we need a boat at Oban fire station.
"It is not the first time this sort of thing has happened at Loch Awe. It will not be the last.""It is not the first time this sort of thing has happened at Loch Awe. It will not be the last."
Mr Currie's father, Les Currie, told BBC Scotland: "If the fire crew had a wee dinghy or whatever, they could have possibly have been out in the water and saved them."
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said it had no statutory obligation to perform water rescues, but did everything possible to assist in such emergencies.Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said it had no statutory obligation to perform water rescues, but did everything possible to assist in such emergencies.
Review underwayReview underway
A spokesman said: "Strathclyde Fire and Rescue concentrated the bulk of its resources on the River Clyde because our assessments revealed that the river was by far the biggest source of call-outs to water rescue incidents."A spokesman said: "Strathclyde Fire and Rescue concentrated the bulk of its resources on the River Clyde because our assessments revealed that the river was by far the biggest source of call-outs to water rescue incidents."
He added that a six-month review was under way into the provision of water rescue, which could result in a boat being placed in Oban again.He added that a six-month review was under way into the provision of water rescue, which could result in a boat being placed in Oban again.
The four men at the centre of the search were part of a group of five people on a fishing trip.The four men at the centre of the search were part of a group of five people on a fishing trip.
They had been camping on the banks of the loch, near Kilchurn Castle.They had been camping on the banks of the loch, near Kilchurn Castle.
The body of 47-year-old William Carty was recovered on SaturdayThey were returning to their campsite in a small boat after visiting a hotel when the accident happened.The body of 47-year-old William Carty was recovered on SaturdayThey were returning to their campsite in a small boat after visiting a hotel when the accident happened.
At about 0300 GMT on Saturday, a 38-year-old man who remained behind in the campsite discovered his friends had not returned.At about 0300 GMT on Saturday, a 38-year-old man who remained behind in the campsite discovered his friends had not returned.
He then heard them calling for help from the loch and alerted the emergency services.He then heard them calling for help from the loch and alerted the emergency services.
A rescue boat was called out from Renfrew fire station, whose crew pulled William Carty and Mr Currie out of the water at 0617 GMT. Both were wearing lifejackets.A rescue boat was called out from Renfrew fire station, whose crew pulled William Carty and Mr Currie out of the water at 0617 GMT. Both were wearing lifejackets.
A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said that on arrival at the scene the fire crews could hear calls for help from the loch.A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said that on arrival at the scene the fire crews could hear calls for help from the loch.
But as visibility was down to just five metres, they could not see anyone and a helicopter was unable to locate the men.But as visibility was down to just five metres, they could not see anyone and a helicopter was unable to locate the men.
Loch Awe, which is popular with anglers, is the third largest loch by surface area in Scotland and is sometimes referred to as "The Jewel Of Argyll".Loch Awe, which is popular with anglers, is the third largest loch by surface area in Scotland and is sometimes referred to as "The Jewel Of Argyll".
It is also the longest freshwater loch in Scotland, measuring more than 25 miles from end to end, with an average width of just over half a mile.It is also the longest freshwater loch in Scotland, measuring more than 25 miles from end to end, with an average width of just over half a mile.