A criminal investigation into the sinking of the Nancy Glen fishing boat in which two men died has been dropped.

The vessel went down in Loch Fyne near Tarbert, Argyll and Bute, on January 18 last year.

Duncan MacDougall, 46, and Przemek Krawczyk, 38, both died when the Nancy Glen went down in Loch Fyne, near Tarbert, on January 18 last year.

The alarm was raised by a third fisherman who was pulled from the water by the crew of a passing boat.

The bodies of the fishermen were only recovered from the doomed trawler a month ago after an extraordinary fund-raising campaign.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) previously conducted a seabed survey of the ship which was said to be lying at a depth of more than 459ft (140 metres).

The Herald:

The MAIB said it could not raise the boat but the Clyde Fishermen’s Association took charge of a crowdfunding which raised nearly £300,000 to finance a salvage operation.

READ MORE: Tragedy as bodies are found on Nancy Glen trawler which sank in Loch Fyne

The Scottish Government then stepped in to fund the operation and retrieve the bodies, reported to cost about £1m The funerals of Mr MacDougall, the boat skipper and fisherman Przemek Krawczyk followed in a matter of days.

When police were told to investigate it was a move that sent shockwaves through the community.

Tarbert and Skipness community councillor Ian Macintyre said at the time: "It was a tragic incident and just don't understand why there should be a criminal investigation. It just doesn't add up."

The Herald:

Now 18 months later, the Crown Office has said there will be no criminal proceedings.

A fatal accident inquiry is to be held "in due course".

A Crown Office spokesman said: "On 18 January 2018 the trawler Nancy Glen sank in Loch Fyne resulting in the deaths of Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk.

"Having carefully considered all the circumstances of this tragic incident, Crown Counsel have concluded, based on the available evidence, that there will be no criminal proceedings brought as a result of the deaths.

"As both men died in the course of their employment, a mandatory Fatal Accident Inquiry will take place in due course.

"The families have been informed of this decision."