US Navy aircraft joins missing fisherman search operation
A US Navy plane has joined the search for a missing fisherman off the coast of Orkney.
A US Navy plane has joined the search for a missing fisherman off the coast of Orkney.
The aircraft was taking part in an international training exercise when it was diverted following a request from Coastguard.
The man, who has been named locally as Craig Reid from the Black Isle, was reported overboard from the fishing vessel Apollo at about 7am.
Coastguard helicopters have been searching the area about 20 miles north-west of Orkney.
A US Navy P8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft flew from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray after being tasked to join the search.
A DA 20, owned by Dorset-based Cobham Aviation Services, was also diverted from the Joint Warrior exercise.
Joint Warrior is a multi-national exercise involving aircraft, warships and personnel from the UK, NATO and other nations.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: "In response to a request from the UK Coastguard, the Royal Navy controlled exercise Joint Warrior has re-tasked aircraft to support the search operation for a missing fisherman off the coast of Orkney.
"Two aircraft involved in the ongoing Joint Warrior exercise were re-tasked to the area to join the search of the missing man from the fishing vessel Apollo."