Tag Archives: Skipper Carl McGrath
F/V Nicola Faith: Grieving families in lasting legacy vow on anniversary of dreadful tragedy
One year ago today three fishermen went to sea on the F/V Nicola Faith and they never returned home. The boat set off from Conwy Harbour on January 27, 2021 to fish the seas off Colwyn Bay. On the anniversary of that terrible day, the families of the three men have revealed the pain and anguish of the last 12 months and their determination to create a lasting legacy to their boys. They recently attended a “man-overboard recovery and life jacket training” session at the RNLI’s their purpose-built college in Poole. In an interview with the RNLI, Ross Ballantine’s sister Lowri Taylor said: “One year on, we’re wanting to create a lasting legacy to the boys and use our experience to share our story and hopefully save more lives. photos, video, >click to read< 21:24
F/V Nicola Faith: Families to set up charity to improve sea safety
Alan Minard, Ross Ballantine, and Skipper Carl McGrath died after their boat, the F/V Nicola Faith, sank off Colwyn Bay in January. Their relatives plan to work with organisations and launch a charity to improve safety at sea in their memory. “We will campaign and explore for change,” the men’s families said.,, Nathania Minard, mother of Alan Minard, the youngest crew member, said: “This is in the early stages, we’ve set ourselves a big task and we’re trying to take baby steps towards it. Video, >click to read< 08:50
F/V Nicola Faith: Crowd burst into applause fisherman’s funeral cortege travels through Welsh town
The Nicola Faith fishing vessel disappeared near Conwy on January 27. Its three crewmen, skipper Carl McGrath, 34, Ross Ballantine, 39, and Alan Minard, 20, were onboard at the time. An extensive search for the trio and their vessel was launched and the bodies of the three men were discovered at different coastal locations in England on three consecutive days in March. On Thursday, the funeral of Mr McGrath was held at St Mary’s Church in Conwy with restricted numbers due to ongoing Covid-19 guidelines, but many of his family and friends were able to pay tribute as his funeral cortege made its way through the town. >click to read< 07:38
Private search for F/V Nicola Faith and three crew members is underway today
Led by ocean recovery expert David Mearns, the search began at 6am this morning (March 20). Money for the search was raised through a Go Fund Me page set up by the families of the three fishermen, Ross Ballantine, Alan Minard, and skipper Carl McGrath, 34 who went missing on January 27. 
The sister of one of the missing crew members, Ross Ballantine, thanked people for their support this morning. Lucy Ballantine said: “Well the day has arrived, Three bodies were discovered in the Wirral and Blackpool last weekend. Police say the families of the three fishermen have been “kept informed,” however, since then no formal identification has been made >click to read< 15:30
