This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/four-british-yachtsmen-missing-in-midatlantic-ocean-after-their-vessel-capsizes-9392180.html
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Missing yacht: Family urge US coastguard to continue search for missing yachtsmen in mid-Atlantic Ocean | Missing yacht: Family urge US coastguard to continue search for missing yachtsmen in mid-Atlantic Ocean |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The family and colleagues of four British men who went missing when the yacht they were aboard capsized in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, have urged the American authorities to re-launch their search operation. | The family and colleagues of four British men who went missing when the yacht they were aboard capsized in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, have urged the American authorities to re-launch their search operation. |
| The US Coast Guard stopped searching for the sailors despite suggestions that they could still be alive in a life raft or trapped inside the boat’s upturned hull. | The US Coast Guard stopped searching for the sailors despite suggestions that they could still be alive in a life raft or trapped inside the boat’s upturned hull. |
| The 39ft racing yacht, Cheeki Rafiki, began taking on water in the mid-Atlantic on Thursday while returning from Antigua Sailing Week in the Caribbean and contact was lost with the crew on Friday. | The 39ft racing yacht, Cheeki Rafiki, began taking on water in the mid-Atlantic on Thursday while returning from Antigua Sailing Week in the Caribbean and contact was lost with the crew on Friday. |
| US and Canadian aircraft, assisted by three merchant vessels, looked for the men throughout Friday and Saturday, but called off the search on Sunday at 5am local time, amid treacherous weather conditions. | US and Canadian aircraft, assisted by three merchant vessels, looked for the men throughout Friday and Saturday, but called off the search on Sunday at 5am local time, amid treacherous weather conditions. |
| Some 4,000 square miles were scanned for the "very well-equipped" vessel's two personal location GPS beacons until no more transmissions were received from the small devices, which have a short battery life. | Some 4,000 square miles were scanned for the "very well-equipped" vessel's two personal location GPS beacons until no more transmissions were received from the small devices, which have a short battery life. |
| A passing container ship, the Maersk Kure, spotted a capsized vessel that matched the boat’s description on Saturday about 1,000 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, but did not stop to inspect it because nobody was seen on board. | |
| Petty Officer Rob Simpson of the US Coastguard claimed that the ship "lacked the manoeuvrability, capacity and ability to help". | Petty Officer Rob Simpson of the US Coastguard claimed that the ship "lacked the manoeuvrability, capacity and ability to help". |
| The missing men, Paul Goslin, 56, Steve Warren, 52, both from Somerset, James Male, 23, from Southampton, and Andrew Bridge, 21, from Farnham, Surrey, were all described as experienced sailors. | The missing men, Paul Goslin, 56, Steve Warren, 52, both from Somerset, James Male, 23, from Southampton, and Andrew Bridge, 21, from Farnham, Surrey, were all described as experienced sailors. |
| The Cheeki Rafiki ship, which went missing in the mid-Atlantic with four crew-members on-board | |
| Speaking to The Times, Mr Male's father Graham Male said: "We just want them to continue searching." | Speaking to The Times, Mr Male's father Graham Male said: "We just want them to continue searching." |
| Mr Bridge’s aunt, Georgina Bridge, told Sky News: “Obviously the family are really concerned that the search has been suspended and we are really hoping that it will be resumed. | |
| “We are hopeful that they were able to launch a life raft and that they are still on board that, so we would just really like the search to be resumed.” | “We are hopeful that they were able to launch a life raft and that they are still on board that, so we would just really like the search to be resumed.” |
| On Tuesday, the team shared one of their last blog posts on Facebook, reading: "And yesterday we did it ... we turned east for home, completing our first 1,000 miles [which] was celebrated with a release of a cherished beach ball with a note inside, I hope it doesn't get home before us! | On Tuesday, the team shared one of their last blog posts on Facebook, reading: "And yesterday we did it ... we turned east for home, completing our first 1,000 miles [which] was celebrated with a release of a cherished beach ball with a note inside, I hope it doesn't get home before us! |
| Paul Goslin and James Male are experienced sailors | |
| "We are already thinking of home and the ones we love and miss, you know who you are!" | "We are already thinking of home and the ones we love and miss, you know who you are!" |
| Doug Innes, director of Southampton-based Stormforce Coaching, which manages the yacht, said the search operation had been “exceptional”. | Doug Innes, director of Southampton-based Stormforce Coaching, which manages the yacht, said the search operation had been “exceptional”. |
| However, he said he believed the crew had been able to get into a life raft and added: “We are devastated that search has been called off so soon after the abandonment to a life raft.” | However, he said he believed the crew had been able to get into a life raft and added: “We are devastated that search has been called off so soon after the abandonment to a life raft.” |
| Andrew Pindar, who runs the GAC Pindar sailing team, pointed to the successful rescue of Tony Bullimore, a sailor who capsized in the Indian Ocean in the 1990s and was trapped for several days. | Andrew Pindar, who runs the GAC Pindar sailing team, pointed to the successful rescue of Tony Bullimore, a sailor who capsized in the Indian Ocean in the 1990s and was trapped for several days. |
| “I don’t know what has happened in this particular case and wouldn’t want to speculate, but if nobody has gone to look inside there is a clear worry that survivors could have still been trapped there,” he said. Andrew Bridge and Steve Warren are experienced sailors | “I don’t know what has happened in this particular case and wouldn’t want to speculate, but if nobody has gone to look inside there is a clear worry that survivors could have still been trapped there,” he said. Andrew Bridge and Steve Warren are experienced sailors |
| “It is horrific to think that it [the container ship] could have sailed on with the possibility that someone was still inside.” | “It is horrific to think that it [the container ship] could have sailed on with the possibility that someone was still inside.” |
| The US Coast Guard said it had “suspended its active search pending further developments”. | The US Coast Guard said it had “suspended its active search pending further developments”. |
| “We are extremely disappointed that we were not able to locate the sailors during the course of this extensive search. | “We are extremely disappointed that we were not able to locate the sailors during the course of this extensive search. |
| “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time,” said Captain Anthony Popiel, 1st Coast Guard District Chief of Response. | “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time,” said Captain Anthony Popiel, 1st Coast Guard District Chief of Response. |
| A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of a missing yacht off the East Coast of the USA with four British nationals on board. | A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of a missing yacht off the East Coast of the USA with four British nationals on board. |
| "We are in continual contact with the US Coastguard and are providing consular assistance to the families." | "We are in continual contact with the US Coastguard and are providing consular assistance to the families." |