Tugboat Capsizes and Sinks, Trapping People: Major Incident Unfolds

At approximately 3:30 PM, a distress call was received regarding a tugboat that had overturned and sank off the coast of Greenock, Scotland. The coastguard confirmed that a search and rescue mission is currently underway.

Upon receiving the call, several rescue vessels including an RNLI lifeboat, police launch boats, and other crafts from nearby ships quickly rushed to the scene.

Reports from eyewitnesses suggest that the tugboat overturned while escorting the Hebridean Princess cruise ship into the harbor.

The coastguard has confirmed that there were two individuals on board the tugboat when it capsized. However, their condition is currently unknown.

From pictures taken at the scene, a helicopter can be seen hovering above as rescuers in inflatable dinghies and a ferry surrounds the sunken vessel.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has stated that the search operation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as soon as possible.

A spokesperson from the coastguard said, "At Custom House Quay in Greenock, on February 24, HM Coastguard is currently responding to reports of a capsized vessel. Coastguard Rescue Teams from Helensburgh and Greenock, a lifeboat from Helensburgh, and the Coastguard helicopter from Prestwick were sent to assist and are searching the area. Police Scotland is also in attendance."

According to eyewitnesses, the lifeboat crew attempted to climb onto the overturned hull of the tug Biter and "strike" it before it submerged, only a few minutes later. Daniel McBride, who witnessed the event, informed BBC Scotland that the tug capsized "very quickly," and that the first coastguard vessel arrived within 12 minutes.

McBride added that when the coastguard arrived, the tug was still capsized and the hull was visible in the water. He witnessed the lifeboat crew "bashing" on the hull, presumably to determine if anyone was trapped inside. Sadly, the tug sank shortly thereafter.

Twitter users also posted about the tragic incident, with one person writing that the Clyde Marine Services tug Biter had capsized and subsequently sunk off Greenock. Another Twitter user described the incident as "heartbreaking scenes off Greenock," while a third user posted that the "tragic incident" was ongoing off East India Harbour Greenock and that a search was ongoing for the crew of the tug Biter.