Families of missing fishing boat crew ‘kept informed’ after bodies of three men found on Wirral and Blackpool coast

The families of the missing crew from the fishing boat ‘Nicola Faith’ which failed to return to port in Conwy in January are being “kept informed” after the bodies of three men were recovered at the weekend.

The three were recovered from the coastline off the Wirral and Blackpool police have said.

North Wales Police has issued a statement this afternoon, a spokesperson has said: “We are aware that the bodies of three men have been recovered from the coastline off the Wirral and Blackpool over the weekend.”

“We have been in contact with colleagues from both Merseyside and Lancashire Police, and we await the outcome of the Home Office postmortem examinations.”

“The families of the missing crew members from the vessel ‘Nicola Faith’ have been kept informed, and continue to be supported by specialist officers.”

“We would request that they are given the necessary privacy at this difficult time.”

The Nicola Faith failed to return to port at Conwy on 27 January.

A search for Ross Ballantine, 39, Alan Minard, 20, and skipper Carl McGrath, 34, was called off after two days.

UPDATE: Merseyside Police have confirmed a man’s body has been found on West Kirby beach.

Emergency services were called to the scene near the sailing centre at lunchtime today.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were all in attendance and the RNLI lifeboat was launched.#RIP pic.twitter.com/ngMndwT3Fr

— West Kirby Today (@WestKirbyToday) March 12, 2021