Recovery of tugboat which capsized killing two men in Firth of Clyde underway

A recovery operation to lift a tugboat which sank in the Firth of Clyde leading to the death of two men is underway.

The bodies of George Taft, 65, from Greenock, and Ian Catterson, 73, from Millport, were recovered from the water, 24 hours after the boat sank on February 24.

A rescue operation was carried out by the coastguard and RNLI along with Police Scotland after the boat went under water at the Custom House Quay.

The boat overturned while escorting the Hebridean Princes into dock.

The recovery of the tugboat in Greenock where tributes have been laid for Ian Catterson and George Taft. STV News

Police Scotland confirmed an operation to recover the tugboat from the water began on Sunday morning.

Tributes were paid to Mr Taft and Mr Catterson including from Inverclyde Council provost Drew McKenzie who said: “Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go to the friends and families of Mr Taft and Mr Catterson.

“Our thanks also must go to the rescue services faced with the most challenging of tasks.

“They are to be commended for their skill, their professionalism and most particularly the dignity in which they carry out their work.”

He also said: “It is a sad fact of life that all sea-going and riverside communities shall from time to time be reminded of how cruel the sea can be – and when tragedy does come the blow is never lessened.

“We are made very aware of how brittle the threads of life really are.”