A SUNKEN vessel discovered off the coast of Conwy has been identified as missing fishing boat Nicola Faith.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and North Wales Police's underwater search team investigated the site of the wreck, located 1.9 nautical miles off Rhos Point, to identify the vessel on Tuesday, April 13.
A MAIB spokesperson said: "The wreck discovered by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) off Colwyn Bay last week is confirmed as being that of the missing fishing vessel Nicola Faith.
"Today, MAIB inspectors 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 that will help inform the MAIB investigation and assist in understanding the reasons the vessel sank."
A comprehensive survey was carried out to identify the vessel, including video evidence that will inform the ongoing investigation to cause of the boat's disappearance on January 27.
Sadly, the bodies of three crew members, Ross Ballantine, 39, Carl McGrath, 34, and Alan Minard, 20, were identified after being discovered on the Wirral and Blackpool.
MAIB said that once all the evidence has been reviewed, including imagery from the dive team, a decision will be made over the next steps of the investigation.
Deep water specialist David Mearns carried out a survey of the boat on Monday and Tuesday, which he said resembled the missing whelk fishing boat.
"The exposed starboard hull shows no damage," Mearns tweeted on Tuesday. "Key features like the radar mast above the wheelhouse and high tower above the stern surely identify it as the Nicola Faith, to be confirmed by the MAIB and police divers later today."
A large-scale search operation was launched by the RNLI and Coastguard over the two days following the disappearance of the Nicola Faith but to no avail. MAIB launched its investigation at the start of February and had acquired the use of Welsh Government patrol boat Rhodri Morgan to assist in its search off the coast of North Wales.
On April 6, the UK Government Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said the sunken vessel, deemed to be of significant interest, had been located in the Colwyn Bay area by an MAIB commissioned vessel searching for missing the Nicola Faith.
MAIB issued a notice of direction to prohibit access around the wreck pending further investigation, which remains in place. The notice prevents anchoring, fishing by nets, trawls or lines, and carrying out diving operations within a 200-metre radius of the wreck’s location.
Andrew Moll, chief inspector of MAIB, 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.”
The families are understood to have been kept fully updated on the ongoing search efforts.
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