The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch issues update on tragic loss in the Irish Sea.

The life raft for fishing vessel, Nicola Faith, which went missing off the coast of Colwyn Bay on 27th January has been recovered, says the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).  

The raft was found off the coast of Kirkcudbrightshire by HM Coastguard and has been positively identified by the MAIB as being from the lost vessel. The raft will be transported to the MAIB headquarters in Southampton for further examination and analysis.

The investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding the vessel’s loss is ongoing, and the search for the vessel itself, which is being co-ordinated by the MAIB, is continuing.

Underwater search experts are being employed in a wide-ranging search, including all of the vessel’s historic operating area.