Liferaft of missing fishing boat Nicola Faith found off coast of Dumfries and Galloway

A liferaft from a fishing boat that went missing off the Welsh coast has turned up in the Stewartry.

The raft was recovered from Howell Bay near Kirkcudbright last week.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has since confirmed it belongs to the Nicola Faith which went missing off the coast of Colwyn Bay on January 27.

Carl McGrath, 34, from Conwy, Alan Minard, 20, from Penmaenmawr, and Ross Ballantine, 39, from Llandudno, were on board when the boat vanished.

Their disappearance sparked a major search effort by the RNLI and the Coastguard which spanned over two days.

An MAIB spokesman said: “The raft will be transported to the MAIB in Southampton for further investigation and analysis. 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.”