A BOOK of condolence paying tribute to the two men who tragically lost their lives in Friday's tug tragedy has opened at a local place of worship.

Port Glasgow New Parish Church minister Reverend William Boyle has told how members of his congregation were reduced to tears during Sunday's service after the devastating news that the crew of tugboat Biter had died after it capsized on the Clyde.

The bodies of two sailors were recovered from the river on Saturday afternoon following a major search and rescue operation off East India Harbour.

The news has been met with an outpouring of sympathy and grief from the community, with locals now beginning to lay wreathes and floral tributes along the front of Customhouse Quay.

Rev Boyle told the Telegraph that the incident had brought back painful memories for many of the people he had spoken to.

He said: "The whole town is in complete shock, we just really feel for the family and friends of those lost.

"For a lot of people it's brought back memories of past tragedies, like the one involving the Flying Phantom.

"That has been mentioned a lot of times, many people have a lot of horrible memories of that day and the guys that were taken.

"On Sunday, we ended with the hymn 'Eternal Father Strong to Save', and when I looked out over the congregation there were so many people in tears.

"They might not know the men who lost their lives, but it has affected them.

"We've had so many people come in this morning and just sit and take in the quiet, light a candle or put their thoughts in the book.

"I can't even begin to imagine what their family and friends are going through."

Locals filed into the Port Glasgow church throughout the day yesterday, leaving heartfelt messages for those who perished.

Among them was Reverend Susan Henderson, minister at Port Glasgow, Greenock East and Greenock West United Reformed Churches.

She said she had decided not to open her own church for mourners, so that the community could come together in a single place.

She added: "We are first and foremost thinking about the families, but I think we also have to remember how difficult this will be for the rescue service workers.

"I know they train for it, I know they expect it, but it must affect them.

"For the community it's been a tragic weekend.

"We have been praying for family of those involved and the emergency services who responded."

Inverclyde's MSP Stuart McMillan today confirmed that he has spoken to the emergency services to call for a 'thorough and proper' investigation into the incident.

He said: "First and foremost, my thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy.

"Two men went to work and didn’t come back home.

"Inverclyde has been shocked by the events and like the families, will want answers as to how this happened.

"The families will appreciate the support from the community.

"I also want to thank the emergency services for their swift response. The investigation into this incident will clearly take some time.

"I have already spoken with the police and I am assured that the probe will be thorough and detailed."