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Search extended for missing crew Missing crewmen search called off
(about 3 hours later)
An extended area of the North Sea is being searched for the crew members of a missing Scottish trawler. The search for a missing trawler crew has been called off as arrangements are made for relatives to travel to Norway to identify a body found on Friday.
One body was found on Friday along with an empty life raft and rescuers are continuing to look for three crewmen. The Meridian went missing on Thursday, in storms 160 miles east of Aberdeen.
A distress signal was picked up from the Meridian on Thursday night, in severe seas 160 miles east of Aberdeen. The Norwegian Coastguard said its extensive search for the three other crewmen was suspended at 1630 BST.
The crew are 49-year-old skipper Martin Gardner, Edward Gardner, 50, and Ian Donald, 55, all from Anstruther, Fife, and Sidney Low, 52, from Aberdeen.The crew are 49-year-old skipper Martin Gardner, Edward Gardner, 50, and Ian Donald, 55, all from Anstruther, Fife, and Sidney Low, 52, from Aberdeen.
Fife Constabulary have not yet released the identity of the recovered body. The identity of the recovered body has not yet been released.
Still we are searching as long as we find the slightest hope of finding anyone alive Anders Bang-AndersenNorwegian Coastguard We are doing everything we can to give the East Neuk families our help and support Supt Bill LawrieFife Constabulary
Debris and an empty life raft were discovered in the water on Friday afternoon, but the Meridian was equipped with a second life raft which is the focus of the search. A Fife Constabulary spokesman said specialist family liaison officers would accompany family members to Norway for the identification process of the body found in the North Sea search area.
Rescue teams have been working round the clock to find the men, who were carrying out observation work for oil firm Talisman Energy in Norwegian waters. Supt Bill Lawrie added: "This is an immensely difficult time for all four families concerned.
"We are doing everything we can to give the East Neuk families our help and support."
The Norwegian Coastguard said they considered the area had been very well searched and they had no plans to continue their operations on Sunday.
The Meridian disappeared off the radar on Thursday night
Further debris from a fishing boat was found on Saturday, including fishing boxes, but nothing directly identifiable as coming from the Meridian.
A survival bag with food, water and medical kit was also recovered, similar to that which was likely to have been in a life raft.
Debris and an empty raft were found on Friday, but the Meridian was equipped with a second life raft which was the focus of the search.
Rescue teams had been working round the clock to find the men, who were carrying out observation work for oil firm Talisman Energy in Norwegian waters.
They extended their search area by several nautical miles on Saturday afternoon, to take into account changing currents and winds.They extended their search area by several nautical miles on Saturday afternoon, to take into account changing currents and winds.
The Kirkcaldy-registered vessel had been caught up in force 10 storms when it disappeared off the radar on Thursday night.
The weather has now improved in the area giving good conditions for ships and aircraft looking for survivors.
RAF crews spotted debris in the water during their searchRAF crews spotted debris in the water during their search
Two Norwegian aircraft are involved in the search, along with a Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer, in Northumberland, and a Nimrod from RAF Kinloss, in Moray. The Kirkcaldy-registered vessel had been caught up in force 10 storms when it disappeared off the radar on Thursday night.
Several fishing boats and oil standby vessels are also assisting efforts to locate the crew. Two Norwegian aircraft were involved in the search, along with a Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer, in Northumberland, and a Nimrod from RAF Kinloss, in Moray.
Anders Bang-Andersen, of the Norwegian Coastguard, said the operation would continue as long as there was daylight. Several fishing boats and oil standby vessels also assisted efforts to locate the crew.
He said: "Still we are searching as long as we find the slightest hope of finding anyone alive - and even longer. Anstruther councillor Elizabeth Riches said people were still in shock.
"We have to evaluate throughout the day what is the realism in continuing the search in the scale that we have now."
Meanwhile, specialist officers from Fife Constabulary are continuing to support families in the East Neuk following the disappearance of the Meridian.
We are doing everything we can to give the East Neuk families our help and support while the search for their missing loved ones goes on Supt Bill LawrieFife Constabulary
A spokesman said family liaison officers would accompany family members to Norway in the identification process of the body found in the search area.
Supt Bill Lawrie said: "This is an immensely difficult time for all four families concerned.
"We are doing everything we can to give the East Neuk families our help and support while the search for their missing loved ones goes on."
Anstruther councillor Elizabeth Riches said people were still in shock but holding out hope.
She added: "This is a very strong and protective community, which, sadly, is used to fishing disasters.She added: "This is a very strong and protective community, which, sadly, is used to fishing disasters.
"These close-knit ties are helping the people of the East Neuk through this distressing and troubling time.""These close-knit ties are helping the people of the East Neuk through this distressing and troubling time."