CHARGES of gross negligence and manslaughter have been brought against a company director in relation to the ‘Cheeki Rafiki’ yacht, which was found capsized in the mid-Atlantic with no crew on board in 2014 – Andrew Bridge from Farnham was one of four crew members.

Former Weydon and South Farnham School pupil, Andrew, died alongside his crew after their yacht ran into difficulty during its return to the UK. The sailors diverted the boat after it began taking on water about 1,000 miles off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It was later found capsized in the mid-Atlantic.

Following the incident, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), released a report stating that the yacht capsized and inverted almost certainly as a consequence of its keel becoming detached in adverse weather.

Following an extensive investigation a decision has been made by the Crown Prosecution Service to bring charges against Douglas Innes, director of yacht operator Stormforce Coaching Limited (the firm that managed the yacht) and against the company itself.

Ian Harris, from the Crown Prosecution Service Wessex, said: “We have authorised the charging of Douglas Innes with four counts of gross negligence and 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.”

A spokesperson for Stormforce Coaching, said: “Our legal advisers are currently reviewing the evidence which the prosecution has served upon us in this respect. Our thoughts continue to be with the crew members’ families during this time.”

Mr Innes and a representative of Stormforce Coaching Limited are due to appear at Southampton Magistrates court on Thursday, November 3.