Diving operations suspended at Stornoway harbour following death of worker

Wreckage removal operations suspended at Stornoway harbour following diver’s death

2 September 2022

Diving and wreck removal activity associated with the building of a new deep water port in Stornoway has halted following the death of a worker employed by a sub-contractor.

A 38-year-old injured man was pronounced dead shortly after being taken ashore from the location within a sea area of Stornoway harbour - between Goat Island and the Arnish headland - on Wednesday evening.

He was working as a diver for a sub-contractor.

Diving operations were taking place in the harbour to cut up and remove pieces of wreckage of a sunken coal hulk, SS Portugal, which lie across a widespread area on the seabed in the main seaway channel.

The man was employed by a firm sub-contracted by McLaughlin and Harvey, the civil engineering firm undertaking the harbour construction project for Stornoway Port Authority.

Police Scotland said he was pronounced dead while being taken to the local hospital.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said it is investigating the incident.

No-one else was injured said Police Scotland which is leading on the investigation into the incident.

A police spokesperson said: “The death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”

A spokesperson for Stornoway Port Authority said: “We can confirm there was an incident in the harbour on the evening of Wednesday, August 31, resulting in the fatality of one of the sub-contractors working with McLaughlin and Harvey.

“Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues, and we will work with our contractor to support them at this extremely sad time.

“The port authority will be working closely with our contractors and the relevant authorities to carry out a full investigation.”

A statement issued by McLaughlin and Harvey said: "Our condolences are with their family and colleagues and we are working to provide support to them.”

Stornoway lifeboat launched to the position when the alarm was raised at 6.20pm on Wednesday and took the man onboard.

Stornoway coastguard rescue team assisted at the pier and the man was transferred to an ambulance crew.

Police said he was pronounced dead en route to the Western Isles Hospital.