Missing fishing vessel Nicola Faith identified
The wreck discovered off Colwyn Bay last week has been confirmed as being that of the missing fishing vessel Nicola Faith.
Investigators have confirmed they have found a sunken fishing boat, which vanished in North Wales with three of its crew.
It went missing in January with Carl McGrath, 34, Ross Ballantine 39, and Alan Minard, 20, on board.
The men's bodies were recovered near the Wirral and Blackpool coastlines almost two months later.
The sunken vessel's was discovered last week just two miles from the coast in Conway, and has now been confirmed to be the Nicola Faith.
Today, inspectors from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch attended the site of the wreck,1.9 nautical miles off Rhos Point, to identify the vessel.
They were assisted by North Wales Police Underwater Search Team who undertook a comprehensive survey on behalf of the MAIB.
As well as identifying the vessel, the survey gathered video evidence and information to help work out exactly why the vessel sank.
Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accident said:
I understand how desperate the families of the crew are for answers, and now that the vessel has been found our investigation can focus on establishing why Nicola Faith sank. A large amount of evidence has already been collected and analysed, and a close look at the results of today’s dive survey should increase our understanding of the accident. Until this has been completed it not possible to say whether it will be necessary to recover the wreck for further testing.
I would to thank North Wales Police for offering their assistance in identifying the vessel and also Seecat Charters, Natural Resource Wales and Welsh Fisheries who have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
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