THE BODY of Mark Federspiel, a 64-year-old man who went missing from a Western Ferries vessel between Gourock and Dunoon in June, has been recovered.
Police Scotland confirmed that Mr. Federspiel’s body was discovered around 4pm on Sunday, October 12, on Kilcreggan Beach. Formal identification has taken place and his next of kin have been informed. Officers said there are no suspicious circumstances.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We can confirm the body found at Kilcreggan Beach is that of a man reported missing from a ferry travelling between Gourock and Dunoon on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Formal identification has taken place and next of kin is aware. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Mr. Federspiel, a former US Navy diver, was reported missing after he was believed to have gone overboard from the MV Sound of Shuna at around 1.20pm on Sunday, June 15.
An extensive multi-agency search operation was launched immediately after his disappearance. The search involved Helensburgh and Largs lifeboats, coastguard teams from Dunoon, Greenock and Kames, a rescue helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, and police marine and air support units.
Vessels operated by both Western Ferries and CalMac, including the MV Ali Cat, also joined the search, along with several private vessels in the Firth of Clyde.
Despite the huge operation, which lasted into the following day, no trace was initially found and the search was later stood down.
At the time, chief inspector James McArthur said that officers had been ‘providing support to the man’s family’ and that ‘extensive searches were carried out on the water and shorelines’ with assistance from specialist units.
The development comes just days after local police closed off a section of beach in Kirn following the discovery of a body of a man from Glasgow.
Formal identification has yet to be announced but its understood the family of missing person Ryan Welsh, (27), have been informed. His death is being treated as unexplained.
