AN INVESTIGATION has been launched following the disappearance of a fishing vessel and its three crew.

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

Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is now looking into the incident.

Under its current probes, vessel 'Nicola Faith' is listed.

Investigation notes say: "Loss of UK registered fishing vessel along with its three crew members in the area of Rhos-On-Sea, Conwy County, North Wales."

A spokesperson for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch said: “The MAIB has launched an investigation into the loss of Conwy based fishing vessel Nicola Faith, and its three crew.

"The investigation will look to establish the causes and circumstances leading to the loss of this vessel.”

A prayer vigil was held online for the three fishermen on Saturday night.

This was at the Boathouse in Craig y Don, Llandudno. Lifeboat Chaplain Father, Phil Barratt, lit a candle and offered a prayer for the missing men.

St Paul’s Church in Llandudno also held a prayer vigil watched by more than 1,200 people. 

HM Coastguard began co-ordinating the search 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 all those involved in the search.

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".