News
Milford Haven: Police and Coastguard in search for missing crew member
A SPECIALIST police search team and HM Coastguard officers are looking for a missing fisherman in Milford Haven Docks today (Apr 2).
A male crew member from the Golden Fleece II vessel, which is registered in Falmouth, failed to return to his boat after a night out in Milford Haven last night.
A family member has named the missing man on social media as Josh Winsper, 24, from Penryn, Cornwall.
The crew member was seen leaving a Milford Haven nightclub in the early hours of the morning. Police have confirmed this on the premises CCTV system, however he was expected to return to the fishing boat, but never made it.
On social media, family members have been sharing a Facebook post expressing concern. The post has already had 700 shares.
Josh’s aunt, Rachel Gerred-Hart, said that the family back in Cornwall were “beside themselves with worry” and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
She said: “ My nephew is a fisherman from Cornwall who is working out of Milford haven. Josh hasn’t been seen since 2.30am at The Astoria. There is a major search operation involving police coastguards sniffer dogs and divers. Please if anyone saw him last night please please get in touch.”
A fellow crew member was on the quayside watching the search take place. He told a Herald reporter: “We left The Astoria nightclub together, and I decided to walk back to the dock to see if Charlie’s was still open. I thought that he was following me; but I turned around and he just wasn’t there he was gone. It’s such a shame… I hope they find him.”
Police are using specially trained dogs, and an inflatable dinghy in the search for the man, with Coastguard teams providing support.
The Fire and Rescue Service later arrived on scene and also helped with the search, with fire boats from Carmarthen and Milford Haven in attendance.
A spokesman for the police said: “We are co-ordinating the search for a missing 24 year old man in the Milford Haven docks area. At approximately 11 a.m. this morning police were notified by the ship’s captain that a crewman, visiting the area on board a ship in the docks was missing. Searches and enquiries have taken place in the area and in the water throughout today, and will continue into the night. HM Coastguard is providing assistance along with specialist police divers.
“The missing man is from the Cornwall area, and his family are being kept informed and supported by officers.”
MORE TO FOLLOW…
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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