Cheeki Rafiki: father describes 'harrowing' moment he found out son was lost at sea

A father has described the 'harrowing' moment he found out his son had been lost at sea when the yacht he was aboard capsized in the Atlantic Ocean.

Graham Male - the father of 22-year-old James Male - said his son had been 'apprehensive but excited' before the voyage of the Cheeki Rafiki in May 2014.

James Male was one of four men who died when the yacht lost its keel and capsized while travelling from Antigua to the UK.

The other victims were skipper Andrew Bridge, 22, and Steve Warren, 52, and Paul Goslin, 56, who were both from Somerset.

The victims of the Cheeki Rafiki capsizing - from left to right: Paul Gosling, James Male, Steve Warren and Andrew Bridge. Credit: PA Images

The jury at Winchester Crown Court heard how James Male had worked as an unpaid intern for Stormforce Coaching and had flown to Antigua to crew the Cheeki Rafiki two weeks before sailing it back to the UK.

The director of Stormforce Coaching Limited Douglas Innes, 42, is facing four counts of manslaughter by gross negligence, which he denies.

Innes and his company Stormforce Coaching also both deny failing to operate the Cheeki Rafiki in a safe manner.

Douglas Innes arriving at Winchester Crown Court last week. Credit: PA Images

Graham Male said he knew his son was 'apprehensive but excited' about the voyage but he only found out the Cheeki Rafiki was in trouble when his wife received a call from Douglas Innes.

He said he later spoke to Douglas Innes himself and described his as 'perfectly calm' as there was 'no panic on board'.

Mr. Male said they had been kept informed by the US Coastguard about the search and were sent a picture of the yacht's life-raft still on board after it was found by a US warship.

He told the court:

The overturned hull of the Cheeki Rafiki. Credit: ITV News
The families of the Cheeki Rafiki victims campaigned for a search to find them. Credit: PA Images

On Thursday Douglas Innes was accused of 'cost-cutting' and allowing the Cheeki Rafiki to sail back from Antigua in a 'neglected state'.

Mr. Male, an engineer, told the court he had become concerned Stormforce Coaching did not have appropriate tools back in the UK after his son told him they used a "multi-tool" for works.

He said they had paid for his son to fly to Antigua for the work there and hisson told them that he had to pay for his own food until the customers arrived to sail the yacht.

His son sent him a message saying: "I am low on money but hope to pullthrough."

The trial continues.