Body of Aberdeenshire fisherman who disappeared in 2021 found in Norway

The body of a fisherman who went missing during a trip on his creel boat in Aberdeenshire over three years ago has been found on an island in Norway.

Joe Masson left his home in Fraserburgh around 10am on October 16, 2021, to go out on his boat and was last seen around 1.30pm on board the vessel from Cairnbulg Harbour, Cairnbulg.

The 73-year-old’s family reported him missing after he failed to return home, and a search involving police, HMS Coastguard, the MOD and the RNLI was launched to trace him.

He was never found and was presumed to have fallen overboard.

Police Scotland have now confirmed that a body was discovered on Sula, an island on the north-west coast of Norway last month.

North East & Tayside

Missing fisherman ‘fell overboard and died trying to free stuck creel’

Joe Masson, 73, was last seen around 1.30pm on October 16, 2021, after going fishing on his boat Goodway.

Formal identification has yet to take place, but officers said the family of Mr Masson has been informed.

They confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We can confirm a body was discovered on the island of Sula on the north-west coast of Norway earlier this month.

“Enquiries are at an early stage, and formal identification is yet to take place however the family of missing person Joseph Masson from the Fraserburgh area have been informed.

“Mr Masson was last seen on Saturday, October 16, 2021, on his boat not far from Cairnbulg Harbour, Cairnbulg, Fraserburgh.

“Officers are liaising with the relevant authorities.

“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”

The Goodway was discovered on the evening of Mr Masson's disappearance. — The Goodway was discovered on the evening of Mr Masson’s disappearance. MAIB

Mr Masson’s vessel, The Goodway, was spotted during the search and rescue operation on the evening of his disappearance.

He was presumed to have fallen overboard and died while trying to free creels that had become fast in rocks on the seabed.

A probe by the Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) concluded that the skipper while trying to free creels that had become stuck in rocks on the seabed, had fallen overboard and died.