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| 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 |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| The mother of a yachtsmen who went missing along with three other British sailors when their vessel capsized in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, has spoken of her anguish after the American authorities called off their search operation. | |
| 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 stormy weather, despite suggestions that they could still be alive in a life raft or trapped inside the boat’s upturned hull. | |
| 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. | 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". |
| Mary Bridge, the mother of 21-year-old Andrew Bridge, told the BBC: "I'm a bit numb actually. We wanted him back. | |
| "We know they've worked hard for two days but my husband and I and my other son and the other families all wish them to resume the search for these four men." | |
| Her husband, David, added: "The weather has improved so they should restart their search. We all think they're in the life raft. One personal beacon was set off, and when that died they set another personal beacon off, which would suggest they were somewhere safe enough to be able to do so." | |
| 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. |
| Mr Male's father, Graham Male, said there was evidence that the crew had acted in a reasoned manner and they would have had the opportunity to evacuate the yacht using its life raft. | |
| He told ITV Meridian: "It would appear the crew had plenty of time, they were taking in water, they were in contact with the company in Southampton, there was no panic. | |
| He added the crew would have had time to prepare a life raft and "new evidence" suggested there were two personal beacons on board. | |
| "When they were set off they were set off in a timed position, they reserved their resources, they waited until the first beacon had run out before they actually set the second beacon - that's rational-thinking people. | |
| "We know they are very qualified and they have certainly had a lot of training. These aren't your average weekend sailors, they are sailors that are professional, we know they would have had every piece of equipment and they would have every chance to get on that life raft," said Mr Male, adding he was urging the Government to put further pressure on the US Coastguard. | |
| The Cheeki Rafiki ship, which went missing in the mid-Atlantic with four crew-members on-board Cressida Goslin, whose husband Paul was among the crew, highlighted a petition which has gathered over 23,000 signatures in less than 24 hours urging a continuation of the search. | |
| Claire Goslin, Mr Goslin's daughter, was amongst those who have signed the petition. | |
| "One of the sailors is my dad and we cannot give up! He is my world and we need to start this search again!!!" she wrote. | |
| Kay Coombes, the sister of Mr Warren who works as a project manager for an electrical company in Wncanton, Somerset, said that she and their mother, Margaret Warren, were convinced that he was still alive. | |
| She said: "It's an utter nightmare, we are grateful for the US and Canadian coast guards for what they have done so far but it's stopped too soon after two days, it's not long enough, we believe they are still alive. | |
| "They are four strong-minded, physically strong sailors, they knew they were in difficulties and had every opportunity to get into the life raft which would have had provisions for several days. But if no one is looking for them, they won't be found." | |
| She added that their mother was very upset and added: "It's very, very difficult, especially being so far away." | |
| 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 | 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!" |
| Mr Bridge, who is from Farnham in Surrey, was being paid by Southampton-based yacht training and charter company Stormforce Coaching for his role as captain, a spokeswoman for the firm said. | |
| He had taken part in Antigua Week together with Mr Goslin, from West Camel, Somerset, Mr Warren, from Bridgwater, also in Somerset, and Mr Male, from Southampton, all described as "very experienced offshore yachtsmen". | |
| 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." |