Three crew members missing after life raft from Welsh trawler Nicola Faith washed ashore in Kirkcudbrightshire

The raft was found off the coast of Kirkcudbrightshire in southwest Scotland by HM Coastguard (Photo: Marine Accident Investigation Branch).

The raft was found off the coast of Kirkcudbrightshire in southwest Scotland by the HM Coastguard yesterday.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has positively identified the raft as being from the Nicola Faith, which went missing with its three crew members off the coast of Colwyn Bay in North Wales on January 27.

The raft will be transported to the MAIB in Southampton for further investigation and analysis.

The Skipper, a fishing and aquaculture magazine, wrote online: "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.

"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.”

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