A FUNDRAISER has been launched to thank the RNLI amidst a huge search for a missing fishing boat off the coast of North Wales.
Lauren Hynes, sister of skipper Carl McGrath, one of three missing crew members, said volunteer rescuers have been “absolutely fantastic” as efforts continue on land, sea and air to trace the lost vessel.
Ms Hynes said contact was lost with the Nicola Faith at 9.30pm on Wednesday before it failed to arrive as expected at Rhos-on-Sea harbour at 11pm.
"I am staying hopeful and all I want is my big brother back with me," she said.
Six RNLI stations including lifeboats and aircraft have been involved in the search since Thursday morning.
Mr McGrath, aged 34, who lives near Conwy Quay, is an experienced fisherman and has been sailing off the coast of North Wales for six years.
He built the workboat that fellow crew members Ross Ballantyne and Steve ‘Alan’ Minard sail on weekly to catch whelks for sale.
The Nicola Faith fishing boat was built by skipper Carl McGrath three years ago.
Jake Cox, fiancé of Ms Hynes, who live together near Abergele, said it is the first instance that Mr McGrath has arrived late since the boat first set sail about three years ago.
“Carl knows these waters really well as he has been fishing here for six years,” he said.
“This has not really happened before as they always come back on time. Sometimes they will stay out for an extra couple of hours but they will let someone know.
“He looks at the forecast before he goes out and it looked relatively calm.”
The missing crew members Carl McGrath (top left), Steve Minard and Ross Ballantyne
Mr Cox said he and Ms Hynes had been “out all morning” to help rescuers during the search on Friday, more than 24 hours after it began.
He said they travelled to Angel Bay in Llandudno and around the Great Orme to look out for the boat but they could see “nothing, absolutely nothing”.
“The RNLI are doing all they can which is why we put up the fundraiser to raise money. They are volunteers and need income for situations like this and if they didn’t have these volunteers working day in day out then there wouldn't be any help.
“They are doing an amazing, brilliant job and risking own lives.
“All we can do is hope. Hopefully they will all come home safe.”
Donate to the RNLI fundraiser by visiting Ms Hynes’ GoFundMe page.
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