The two fishermen missing off the Mearns coast since Tuesday are back on dry land after their “miraculous” rescue.
Jim Reid and David Irvine were discovered on Thursday morning by a passing fishing vessel 46 miles off the coast of Arbroath, the Coastguard confirmed, safe and well.
They were picked up by the crew of the Sylvia Bowers fishing boat, and brought home.
Closer to shore, they were transferred to Montrose RNLI’s Moonbeam lifeboat and brought back to the town, where they arrived around 3pm.
A spokesman had earlier said: “Police Scotland can confirm that the two fisherman, David Irvine and James Reid, missing from the Gourdon area have been found safe and well today, approximately 46 miles off the coast of Montrose after being spotted by a passing fishing vessel.
“The vessel, the Water Rail, was reported overdue on Tuesday May 20 and searches have been made by the Coastguard, Royal Air Force, lifeboats, fishing boats and the Police Scotland helicopter.
“Arrangements are currently being made to repatriate the men with their families.”
Hope appeared to be dwindling on Wednesday as the families gathered at Gourdon Harbour as local boats helped emergency services scour the sea but there was no sign of the missing men.See more from our reporting team in Gourdon and Montrose in Friday’s CourierThe safe discovery of the pair has sparked an outpouring of joy from the local community and those who had been praying for Jim and David’s safe return.
David is a popular branch supervisor at the Scotmid store in Inverbervie and a company spokesman said: “It is absolutely brilliant news that David and his grandfather have been found safe and well.
“We are delighted for their families, friends, and also David’s colleagues, who had been extremely worried about the situation.
“It’s great news to start the day.”
Scotland’s deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted that it was “fantastic news” when she learned the fishermen had been found.
Video courtesy of the Evening Express.