THE search for a teenage fisherman who went missing off the North-East coast after his boat and a passenger ferry collided was called off yesterday.
Rescue crews stepped down the search for the 16-year-old – believed to be from North Shields, North Tyneside – yesterday afternoon, Coastguards said.
He was on board the Homeland with his brother when it collided with the Scottish Viking ferry off the coast of St Abbs in Eyemouth, Berwickshire, shortly before 8pm on Thursday.
The 20-year-old elder brother, who is the boat’s skipper, was pulled from the water by the crew of another fishing boat.
Four lifeboat crews and up to 20 fishing vessels spent yesterday scanning an area of less than five square miles.
It is not known if the missing boy was wearing a lifejacket, although some were found at the scene.
Earlier, Fred Caygill, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: “The survivability period for someone in the water has passed.
“Different factors affect different people’s chances of survival, but it has been a long time.
“Some lifejackets were found at the scene but it’s not known if the missing person was wearing a lifejacket.”
The accident happened about five miles off the coast of St Abbs.
The Homeland, registration number BH120, operates from North Shields.
The passenger ferry is run by Norfolkline – part of DFDS Seaways – which operates services between Rosyth, Scotland, and Zeebrugge, in Belgium.
DFDS Seaways said the ferry was chartered by Norfolkline from Italian firm Visentini.
Visentini said an investigation into the accident would be carried out.
A spokesman said: “The owners are undertaking a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the collision and will provide all necessary assistance to authorities investigating this tragic incident.
“Our immediate concern is for the safety of the fisherman who is still missing, and our thoughts are with the family.”
A DFDS Seaways spokesman said the company was deeply concerned about the accident.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has also launched an investigation.
Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “I am very sorry to hear about this incident and the tragic loss of life.
“My thoughts and sympathies are very much with the family, friends and colleagues of the crew of the FV Homeland.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the efforts of the emergency services and other fishing vessels who took part in the rescue efforts.
“The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will now be investigating the circumstances.”
In a separate incident, several vessels and a rescue helicopter were involved in the search for a diver north of the Isle of Mull, off the west of Scotland.
Police said a woman’s body was pulled from the water.
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