The director of the firm that managed the Cheeki Rafiki yacht has been charged with manslaughter after it capsized in 2014, killing its crew.
The 40ft yacht had been missing in the North Atlantic when it was found with no sign of its crew in May 2014. Andrew Bridge, Steve Warren, Paul Goslin and James Male lost their lives. Douglas Innes is charged with four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and will appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 3 November.
Mr. Innes and his company Stormforce Coaching are also charged with breaking merchant shipping laws. Skipper Mr Bridge, 22, from Farnham in Surrey, Mr Male, 22, from Romsey, Mr Warren, 52, from Bridgwater in Somerset and Mr Goslin, 56, from West Camel in Somerset, were on board the Cheeki Rafiki when it began taking on water and contact was then lost.
The unoccupied 40ft yacht was found days later with its life raft still on board. Thanks to the BBC for the report.
