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Family thanks Llandudno lifeboat crew ahead of Christmas
Family thanks Llandudno lifeboat crew ahead of Christmas
Lifeboats News Release
The family of fisherman Ross Ballantine visited Llandudno Lifeboat Station on Monday 15 December to thank RNLI volunteers and to wish the crew well ahead of the Christmas period.
Ross’s sister Lowri Taylor, brother Andrew Ballantine and father Roger Ballantine were welcomed at the station by Coxswain Graham Heritage and Senior Station Technician Luke Heritage. The visit marked nearly five years since the search for the trawler Nicola Faith and provided an opportunity for the family to personally thank the volunteers who supported them during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
Ross Ballantine, 39, was among the three crew on board the Nicola Faith, alongside skipper Carl McGrath, 34, and crew member Alan Minard, 20, when the vessel capsized and sank off the coast in January 2021 after departing from the port of Conwy to fish for whelks. The incident prompted a large scale sea and air search involving RNLI volunteers from Llandudno, Rhyl, Conwy, Beaumaris and Hoylake, who collectively spent more than 90 hours searching a wide area. The operation was described by lifeboat crews as one of the hardest they had undertaken, with teams launching at first light and continuing until darkness fell, determined to find answers for families watching from shore.
Ms Taylor said the loss continues to be felt deeply by the family, particularly at Christmas, and that they will never forget the dedication shown by the lifeboat crews who searched tirelessly during the time. RNLI volunteers will be available 24 hours a day this Christmas across the UK and Ireland, as they prepare for what is traditionally one of the busiest and most demanding times of the year.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
