Yacht firm boss charged with manslaughter over Cheeki Rafiki deaths

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency has carried out an investigation lasting more than two years into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the Cheeki Rafiki in May 2014.

Paul Goslin and Steve Warren from Somerset, were on board the Cheeki Rafiki with James Male from Romsey and Andrew Bridge from Farnham, when the yacht went missing in rough seas after leaving Antigua.

Following the extensive investigation into the loss, a decision has been made by the Crown Prosecution Service to bring charges against Douglas Innes and Stormforce Coaching Limited, the yacht management firm for the Cheeki Rafiki.

Ian Harris, from the Crown Prosecution Service Wessex, said:

"We have authorised the charging of Douglas Innes with four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and Douglas Innes and Stormforce Coaching Limited with one charge contrary to section 100 Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

"These charges relate to the deaths of Andrew Bridge, James Male, Stephen Warren and Paul Goslin in the North Atlantic in May 2014, following the loss of the keel on their yacht, the Cheeki Rafiki. The decision to charge was taken in accordance with the Code of Crown Prosecutors".

Douglas Innes and a representative of Stormforce Coaching Limited will appear at Southampton Magistrates court on 3 November 2016.

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