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Sunken fishing boat boss in court Sunken fishing boat boss in court
(29 minutes later)
A fishing boat which sank with the loss of the seven men on board had flooded twice in the three years before it went down, a court has heard.A fishing boat which sank with the loss of the seven men on board had flooded twice in the three years before it went down, a court has heard.
The Solway Harvester sank off the Isle of Man in January 2000, with the loss of all of its crew.The Solway Harvester sank off the Isle of Man in January 2000, with the loss of all of its crew.
Its owner, Richard Gidney, was ordered to give evidence at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court after he refused to attend the inquest on the Isle of Man.Its owner, Richard Gidney, was ordered to give evidence at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court after he refused to attend the inquest on the Isle of Man.
He told the court he was not aware of the flooding episodes at the time.He told the court he was not aware of the flooding episodes at the time.
The 43-year-old was acquitted of manslaughter charges in 2005, when a judge ruled there was no case to answer.The 43-year-old was acquitted of manslaughter charges in 2005, when a judge ruled there was no case to answer.
The following year Mr Gidney failed to attend the inquest. The Court of Session then granted the Isle of Man coroner Michael Moyles a petition, forcing him to appear as a witness.The following year Mr Gidney failed to attend the inquest. The Court of Session then granted the Isle of Man coroner Michael Moyles a petition, forcing him to appear as a witness.
On the first day of the hearing he faced questioning from Andrew Smith QC, acting on behalf of the coroner.On the first day of the hearing he faced questioning from Andrew Smith QC, acting on behalf of the coroner.
VICTIMS OF THE SOLWAY HARVESTER SINKING Skipper Craig Mills, 29Robin Mills, 33, Craig's brotherDavid Mills, 17, Craig's cousinMartin Milligan, 26John Murphy, 22David Lyons, 18Wesley Jolly, 17VICTIMS OF THE SOLWAY HARVESTER SINKING Skipper Craig Mills, 29Robin Mills, 33, Craig's brotherDavid Mills, 17, Craig's cousinMartin Milligan, 26John Murphy, 22David Lyons, 18Wesley Jolly, 17
It was the first time family and friends of the crew who died had heard from the vessel's owner.It was the first time family and friends of the crew who died had heard from the vessel's owner.
When asked why he would not give evidence previously, Mr Gidney said he had been given legal advice not to.When asked why he would not give evidence previously, Mr Gidney said he had been given legal advice not to.
But when pressed by the QC, he added: "I feel that people are out to put all the blame on me."But when pressed by the QC, he added: "I feel that people are out to put all the blame on me."
Mr Smith put it to the witness that the Solway Harvester had experienced difficulties with flooding in September 1997 and shortly before Christmas in 1999.Mr Smith put it to the witness that the Solway Harvester had experienced difficulties with flooding in September 1997 and shortly before Christmas in 1999.
Water in parts of the boat reached 2ft deep on both occasions, Mr Smith said.Water in parts of the boat reached 2ft deep on both occasions, Mr Smith said.
Mr Gidney told the court that while he was aware of the incidents now, he had not been made aware of them at the time.Mr Gidney told the court that while he was aware of the incidents now, he had not been made aware of them at the time.
Referring to the 1999 incident, Mr Smith put it to the witness: "Why would it be, Mr Gidney, that you would be completely unaware of this very serious incident?"Referring to the 1999 incident, Mr Smith put it to the witness: "Why would it be, Mr Gidney, that you would be completely unaware of this very serious incident?"
Mr Gidney replied: "Nobody told me."Mr Gidney replied: "Nobody told me."
Submarine involvementSubmarine involvement
Asked what he would have done if he had known about the flooding, Mr Gidney replied: "I would have investigated it and ensured that it wouldn't happen again."Asked what he would have done if he had known about the flooding, Mr Gidney replied: "I would have investigated it and ensured that it wouldn't happen again."
The court also heard the boat last had a full safety check in 1996, about four years before it went down.The court also heard the boat last had a full safety check in 1996, about four years before it went down.
All of the men who died were from the close-knit village of the Isle of Whithorn in Dumfries and Galloway.All of the men who died were from the close-knit village of the Isle of Whithorn in Dumfries and Galloway.
In the wide-ranging question and answer session, Mr Gidney went on to deny accusations of "insensitivity" towards the victims' families.In the wide-ranging question and answer session, Mr Gidney went on to deny accusations of "insensitivity" towards the victims' families.
He admitted being party to a plan to have a boat called the Solway Ranger travel to the area where the Harvester went down, just days after it sank.He admitted being party to a plan to have a boat called the Solway Ranger travel to the area where the Harvester went down, just days after it sank.
He said there were rumours of submarine involvement in the sinking and the boat was "trying to find answers".He said there were rumours of submarine involvement in the sinking and the boat was "trying to find answers".
Mr Smith suggested the boat could have brought up one of the bodies of the young men when it was dredging around the area.Mr Smith suggested the boat could have brought up one of the bodies of the young men when it was dredging around the area.
"I certainly didn't think that," Mr Gidney said."I certainly didn't think that," Mr Gidney said.