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RAF sends Hercules to help search for missing yachtsmen RAF sends Hercules to help search for missing yachtsmen
(about 2 hours later)
An RAF Hercules is en route to help in the search for four British sailors who have been missing in the Atlantic Ocean since their yacht capsized last Thursday.An RAF Hercules is en route to help in the search for four British sailors who have been missing in the Atlantic Ocean since their yacht capsized last Thursday.
The aircraft will join the US Coast Guard's search for the four men, which has resumed in the face of mounting pressure and an official request from the UK government, having initially been abandoned on Sunday. US and Canadian military aircraft are already involved in the search.The aircraft will join the US Coast Guard's search for the four men, which has resumed in the face of mounting pressure and an official request from the UK government, having initially been abandoned on Sunday. US and Canadian military aircraft are already involved in the search.
The Ministry of Defence said the Hercules took off from RAF Brize Norton at 5am on Wednesday and will refuel in Lajes, Portugal, before flying to the search area. It is expected to be actively assisting the search by 2pm.The Ministry of Defence said the Hercules took off from RAF Brize Norton at 5am on Wednesday and will refuel in Lajes, Portugal, before flying to the search area. It is expected to be actively assisting the search by 2pm.
The defence secretary, Philip Hammond, said: "The RAF's contribution to the search operation for the four missing British sailors will provide additional capability and resilience to the resumed search led by US and Canadian forces.The defence secretary, Philip Hammond, said: "The RAF's contribution to the search operation for the four missing British sailors will provide additional capability and resilience to the resumed search led by US and Canadian forces.
"We all hope that the extensive resources being provided by our allies and the further support from the UK can help locate the missing yachtsmen as soon as possible.""We all hope that the extensive resources being provided by our allies and the further support from the UK can help locate the missing yachtsmen as soon as possible."
The Cheeki Rafiki disappeared from radars five days ago carrying James Male, 23, Andrew Bridge, 21, Paul Goslin, 56, and Steve Warren, 52, who were sailing in a treacherous stretch of ocean from a regatta in Antigua to Southampton. The Cheeki Rafiki disappeared from radars five days ago carrying James Male, 23, Andrew Bridge, 21, Paul Goslin, 56, and Steve Warren, 52, who were sailing in a treacherous stretch of ocean from a regatta in Antigua to Southampton.
A 53-hour air and sea search covering 4,000 sq miles was halted on Sunday morning, when American officials said the men would not have survived longer than 20 hours. The decision prompted anger from the men's friends and relatives, who accused the US of giving up too easily and started a campaign that by Monday had reached 200,000 supporters. A 53-hour air and sea search covering 4,000 sq miles was halted on Sunday morning, when American officials said the men would not have survived longer than 20 hours. The decision prompted anger from the men's friends and relatives, who accused the US of giving up too easily and started a petition that by Wednesday had 230,000 signatures.
US and Canadian air crews have scoured almost 3,000 sq miles of ocean since resuming their search.US and Canadian air crews have scoured almost 3,000 sq miles of ocean since resuming their search.
The US Coast Guard said four vessels, two US aircraft and a Canadian military plane, were involved in searching an area about 1,000 miles east of Cape Cod in Massachusetts by air and sea. The US Coast Guard said four vessels, two US aircraft and a Canadian military plane were involved in searching an area about 1,000 miles east of Cape Cod in Massachusetts by air and sea.
In a statement, it said: "Air crews have searched a total of 2,878 sq miles since the search has resumed. The square mileage for ship searches is still being determined. "Weather on scene is 6ft seas with winds at less than 10 knots."In a statement, it said: "Air crews have searched a total of 2,878 sq miles since the search has resumed. The square mileage for ship searches is still being determined. "Weather on scene is 6ft seas with winds at less than 10 knots."
A further three ships and a US air force plane were on the way to assist, the coastguard added.A further three ships and a US air force plane were on the way to assist, the coastguard added.
Goslin's wife Cressida said hearing that the search would resume had brought "incredible" hope. She said her husband, an experienced sailor who has a coastal skipper certificate and a yacht master theory certificate, and the other men would be coping well as a team. Goslin's wife, Cressida, said hearing the search would resume had brought "incredible" hope. She said her husband, an experienced sailor who has a coastal skipper certificate and a yacht master theory certificate, and the other men would be coping well as a team.
"We have got no reason to think they didn't make it to the lifeboat," she told BBC Breakfast. "They had advanced warning that there was a problem with the boat so we think they would have been prepared to evacuate the ship.""We have got no reason to think they didn't make it to the lifeboat," she told BBC Breakfast. "They had advanced warning that there was a problem with the boat so we think they would have been prepared to evacuate the ship."
She added: "Social media and the petition have been fantastic because they have generated so much interest that lots of yachts have now headed to that area and family and other people have been contacting various merchant ships.She added: "Social media and the petition have been fantastic because they have generated so much interest that lots of yachts have now headed to that area and family and other people have been contacting various merchant ships.
"It has been a fantastic support – everyone has joined in and there is more activity there.""It has been a fantastic support – everyone has joined in and there is more activity there."