This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27473507
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Missing yacht: Skipper's mother 'numb' | Missing yacht: Skipper's mother 'numb' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The mother of Andrew Bridge, skipper of the four-man British crew missing since their yacht capsized in the Atlantic Ocean, has said she feels numb. | The mother of Andrew Bridge, skipper of the four-man British crew missing since their yacht capsized in the Atlantic Ocean, has said she feels numb. |
| Mary Bridge joined other family members and friends of the men in urging the US Coastguard to resume its search. | Mary Bridge joined other family members and friends of the men in urging the US Coastguard to resume its search. |
| The Cheeki Rafiki ran into difficulties late last week about 1,000 miles (1,600km) off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. | The Cheeki Rafiki ran into difficulties late last week about 1,000 miles (1,600km) off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. |
| The sailors' families have said the men would have escaped in a life raft. | The sailors' families have said the men would have escaped in a life raft. |
| The four crew members are Mr Bridge, 22, from Farnham, Surrey, the yacht's skipper; Paul Goslin, 56, from West Camel, Somerset; Steve Warren, 52, also from Somerset, and 23-year-old James Male, from Southampton, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has said. | The four crew members are Mr Bridge, 22, from Farnham, Surrey, the yacht's skipper; Paul Goslin, 56, from West Camel, Somerset; Steve Warren, 52, also from Somerset, and 23-year-old James Male, from Southampton, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has said. |
| They were sailing the 40ft yacht back to the UK from a regatta in Antigua but diverted towards the Azores on Thursday when it started taking on water. | They were sailing the 40ft yacht back to the UK from a regatta in Antigua but diverted towards the Azores on Thursday when it started taking on water. |
| Nothing has been heard from them since Friday. The US Coastguard-led air and sea search for the men was called off on Sunday. | Nothing has been heard from them since Friday. The US Coastguard-led air and sea search for the men was called off on Sunday. |
| A spokeswoman for the coastguard said on Monday morning that unless there were "new developments about the case" the search would not be resumed. | |
| The skipper's mother Mrs Bridge told the BBC: "I'm a bit numb actually. We wanted him back. | The skipper's mother Mrs 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." | "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." |
| Claire Goslin, daughter of Mr Goslin, said: "They had plenty of time to prepare the raft when they knew they were sinking and my dad would have done everything he could to get them all on the life raft. | Claire Goslin, daughter of Mr Goslin, said: "They had plenty of time to prepare the raft when they knew they were sinking and my dad would have done everything he could to get them all on the life raft. |
| "My dad has been sailing for years and he will know everything he has to do in the situation." | |
| The Plymouth University nursing student said the life raft was designed for 12 people so would have had plenty of space and provisions for her father and the three other men. | |
| Provisions for days | Provisions for days |
| Mr Goslin's wife Cressida said the search should be resumed for a couple of days, adding: "We just feel that they're not being given a chance. | Mr Goslin's wife Cressida said the search should be resumed for a couple of days, adding: "We just feel that they're not being given a chance. |
| "If we don't try to rescue them we're just going to leave them to starve to death." | "If we don't try to rescue them we're just going to leave them to starve to death." |
| The RYA said typical supplies on a life raft would include survival suits, water, food, flares and a first aid kit. | The RYA said typical supplies on a life raft would include survival suits, water, food, flares and a first aid kit. |
| Three US and Canadian aircraft and three merchant vessels looked for the men on Friday and Saturday. | Three US and Canadian aircraft and three merchant vessels looked for the men on Friday and Saturday. |
| The US Coastguard says it considers "weather conditions, emergency equipment, and the anticipated condition of the people for whom we are searching". | The US Coastguard says it considers "weather conditions, emergency equipment, and the anticipated condition of the people for whom we are searching". |
| Calling off the hunt on Sunday, Capt Anthony Popiel said: "Based on the extreme conditions at sea, but assuming best-case emergency equipment, the estimated survival time past the time of distress was approximately 20 hours. Crews searched for 53 hours." | Calling off the hunt on Sunday, Capt Anthony Popiel said: "Based on the extreme conditions at sea, but assuming best-case emergency equipment, the estimated survival time past the time of distress was approximately 20 hours. Crews searched for 53 hours." |
| On Saturday, a cargo vessel which was helping with the search spotted and photographed an overturned hull which matched the description of the Cheeki Rafiki. | |
| But Petty Officer Rob Simpson, from the US Coastguard, said the ship had "lacked the manoeuvrability, capacity and ability to help". | |
| "It has a fairly limited possibility of picking anything up," he added. | |
| "It is not designed for search and rescue capabilities or anything like that or trained to do anything like that." | |
| Meanwhile the yachtsman and four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie joined calls for the US coastguard to continue the search, while an online petition has gathered more than 27,000 signatures. | |
| Television presenter Ben Fogle also added his support, adding: "We've heard too many stories over the years of shipwrecked sailors found in tiny rafts. | |
| "If they don't have a beacon that's emitting, that doesn't mean they've perished." | |
| 'One more check' | 'One more check' |
| Kay Coombes, sister of missing Mr Warren, said: "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." | "But if no-one is looking for them, they won't be found." |
| Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail single-handedly around the world, said: "Knowing the US Coastguard, I do feel one's got to listen to them. | |
| "They know more about this than anyone else." | "They know more about this than anyone else." |
| But he added: "Isn't it just worth just one more check, just to make sure?" | |
| The coastguard has said it extends its "deepest condolences to the family and friends" of the men. | The coastguard has said it extends its "deepest condolences to the family and friends" of the men. |
| A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said it was aware of the missing yacht: "We are in continual contact with the US Coastguard and are providing consular assistance to the families." | A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said it was aware of the missing yacht: "We are in continual contact with the US Coastguard and are providing consular assistance to the families." |