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It has been confirmed that a recovered liferaft is from the missing Conwy fishing vessel, the Nicola Faith. Photo: HM Coast Guard
It has been confirmed that the HM Coast Guard recovered a liferaft of the missing Conwy fishing vessel, the Nicola Faith.
The Nicola Faith disappeared on a fishing trip after departing the north Wales fishing town on the morning of Wednesday, 27 January last. After the boat and it’s three crew failed to return home that night a search was launched by HM Coast Guard which included Rhyl, Bangor and Llandudno Coastguard Rescue Teams along with five RNLI lifeboats from Rhyl, Llandudno & Conwy. The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Caernarfon assisted with the searches and a fixed-wing Coastguard aircraft from Doncaster. The North Wales Police also assisted in the search.
On 29 January, the search was stood down pending further inquiries.
The three missing crew members are Alan Minard (20), Ross Ballantine (39) and skipper Carl McGrath (34).
Last week a liferaft was discovered off Kirkcudbrightshire, on the south western Scottish coast which has been confirmed as being from the missing lobster boat
In a statement released by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, they said:
“The liferaft for fishing vessel Nicola Faith which went missing off the coast of Colwyn Bay on 27 January has been recovered.
“The raft was found off the coast of Kirkcudbrightshire by HM Coastguard and has been positively identified by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch as being from the Nicola Faith. The raft has been transported to the MAIB in Southampton for further investigation and analysis.
The recovered liferaft from the Nicola Faith. Photo: MAIB
“The investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding the vessel’s loss is ongoing. The search for the vessel, which is being co-ordinated by the MAIB, is continuing. The MAIB has been working with underwater search experts to cover a wide area including all of the vessel’s historic operating area.
“The next of kin have been informed of this development.”
By Oliver McBride
