Yacht boss ‘failed in his duty’ over deaths of 4 sailors

THE yachting company director in charged of the doomed Cheeki Rafiki sailing boat showed “serious dereliction of duty” over the death of four sailors, a judge said yesterday, as he criticised him for not leaving the pub during the disaster.

The families of the victims wept during the hearing for Douglas Innes, and criticised him for “showing no remorse” as he was sentenced for failing to ensure the yacht’s safety.

James Male, Andrew Bridge, both 22, Steve Warren, 52, and Paul Goslin, 56, died on the voyage after Cheeki Rafiki sank on its return from Antigua when its keel broke off.

Innes, 43, of Southampton, Hants, was handed a suspended 15-month sentence by judge Mr Justice Nigel Teare, who said the director’s decision not to have the boat inspected was a “serious dereliction of duty”.

His company, Stormforce Coaching, which is now in liquidation, was also fined £50,000.

Sentencing him, the judge said: “There’s nothing the court can say today and no sentence the court can pass that can properly reflect the loss of four lives.”