Missing fishing boat and crew – Flint Coastguard called to investigate nets spotted in sea at Talacre Beach
Volunteer officers from HM Coastguard Flint were called out on Sunday to reports of fishing nets being found at Point of Ayr on Talacre Beach.
A fishing boat with three crew on board has been missing for four days and the team were called to investigate the nets which were reported to be in the water and on the banks.
The Nicola Faith left Conwy on Wednesday to go fishing and was due back at midnight but failed to return.
A major search for the vessel and her crew, who have been named as Alan Minard, Ross Ballantine and skipper Carl McGrath, got underway on Thursday, seven lifeboats and Coastguard aircraft were involved.
The search operation was called off on Friday afternoon “pending further information.”
Officers from Flint Coastguard were alerted just after 3.15pm on Sunday and tasked to attend Point of Ayr following the report of fishing nets being spotted.
A Coastguard spokesperson said: “In light of the news that the fishing vessel The Nicola Faith and her crew are still missing off the North Wales coast, this warranted further investigation.”
“On scene, a shoreline search was conducted East by the team towards the last known position of these nets. Nothing sighted on the banks.”
“Whilst on the second leg of the search looking West, a large semi submerged object was sighted out to sea some two miles offshore.”
“Due to the distance we could not get clear visual of the object.”
It was decided this object needed further investigation and RNLI Flint Lifeboat were paged to assist.
Coastguard officers kept eyes on the object. “Due to the now fading light the object was becoming harder to see and with Rhyl Lifeboat Station now finished on their previous tasking, it was requested that they divert to our location to assist.” The spokesperson said.
“At this stage Flint RNLI were stood down by Holyhead Coastguard Operations Centre.”
Both Lifeboats from Rhyl conducted a search of the last position sighted.”
“After 30 minutes and now in darkness, nothing was sighted by both crews.”
“All information passed over to Holyhead and they were happy for all assets to stand down and return to stations.” Coastguard spokesperson added.
