Messages of support pour in for RNLI and prayer vigil held for fishermen who went missing off coast of Conwy

A major search for Alan Minard, Ross Ballantine and skipper Carl McGrath was called off on Friday, January 29 after two days.

A prayer vigil was held online for the three fishermen. On Saturday night, at the Boathouse in Craig y Don, Llandudno Lifeboat Chaplain Father Phil Barratt lit a candle and offered a prayer for the missing men.

In a video, Father Barratt said: "In what has been two really busy and hectic days of search and attempted rescue, we come here at 7pm on Saturday joining with people throughout the town in keeping a vigil.

"It is poignant that we come into this quiet boat house which has seen so much action and busyness and in the stillness we light a candle which is always - for those who keep vigil - a sign of light in darkness of hope."

Luke Heritage, Llandudno RNLI crew member who was involved in the two-day search, is seen in the video lighting a candle.

A prayer was then read.

Relatives, friends, and residents also lit candles at home.

HM Coastguard began co-ordinating the operation off the coast of Conwy just after 10am on Thursday, January 28 when fishing vessel Nicola Faith, with the three men on board, failed to return.

Bangor, Llandudno, Flint and Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Teams and Rhyl, Hoylake, Conwy, Beaumaris and Llandudno RNLI lifeboats, as well as the coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon and fixed-wing coastguard aircraft, were all involved in an extensive search, along with North Wales Police.

Boats in the nearby area have been keeping a look out for the missing vessel.

Heart-felt messages of thanks have poured in for crew members involved in the search.

An incredible amount of money has been raised in support of the RNLI and their work. The total is nearly at £7,000.

Carl McGrath and sister Lauren.

Lauren Haynes, sister of skipper Carl McGrath, one of three missing crew members, said volunteer rescuers have been “absolutely fantastic”.

Ms Haynes said contact was lost with the Nicola Faith boat at 9.30pm on Wednesday before it failed to arrive as expected at Rhos-on-Sea harbour at 11pm.

On Friday, Rob Priestley, duty controller for HM Coastguard, said: “We have carried out highly-concentrated and thorough searches of wide areas off the north coast of Wales to locate this vessel – using all available resources – but, sadly, nothing has been found so far. Our thoughts are with the family and friends and the wider community at this difficult time.

“We would like to thank all of the teams and crews who have been involved with and participated in this large scale search effort since Thursday, as well as those vessels in the area and local community at large who have helped to provide as much information as possible to aid the search efforts.”

Llandudno Coastguard were called on Sunday investigate various pieces of debris.

The team stressed on Facebook that was not a resumption of the search and "only a reactive patrol to intelligence received".

The Nicola Faith fishing boat was built by skipper Carl McGrath three years ago.

They went on to say: "The team were out until the early hours of the morning (Sunday) before we were stood down and re-tasked once again this morning due to the high volume of debris reports being received. By ensuring that there were coastguard rescue officers available and patrolling, we have been able to react to reports as they were received.

"A few pieces of debris were identified as large sections of tree by RNLI Rhyl and Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team who had been tasked to the Llanddulas area following a number of reports of an object in the water.

Roger Fox took this photo last year as the vessel Nicola Faith left Conwy (Image: Roger Fox)

"Although we were out to react to reports of debris, we also continued with what would be our 'normal' duties whilst on a patrol. So, whilst we were patrolling the Great Orme and encountered a sheep which had fallen onto its back and unable to right itself, we were able to get it back on its feet to rejoin the rest of the flock.

"As the light faded, we were stood down and returned to station.

"As we stressed, this is not a resumption of the search, only a reactive patrol to intelligence received.

"The outpouring of support from the Llandudno and wider communities of North Wales has been heartwarming to see and the family and friends of Carl, Alan and Ross will also be in our thoughts at this incredibly difficult time."