Missing yacht: Family urge US coastguard to resume search operation

The search and rescue operation was called off on Sunday due to treacherous weather conditions.

13:43 19 May 2014

Friends and families of the four British experienced sailors are calling for US coastguard to resume their search operation after it was called off on Sunday due to treacherous weather conditions. 

 

39ft racing yacht, Cheeki Rafiki, lost contact on Friday while returning from Antigua Sailing Week in the Caribbean. There are suggestions that the four British men could still be alive in a life raft or trapped inside the boat’s upturned hull. 

 

The US Coast Guard said it had “suspended its active search pending further developments”.

 

“We are extremely disappointed that we were not able to locate the sailors  during the course of this extensive search.

 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families  during this difficult time,” said Captain Anthony Popiel,  1st Coast Guard District Chief of Response.

The missing men are identified as, Paul  Goslin, 56, Steve Warren, 52, both from Somerset, James Male, 23, from Southampton, and Andrew Bridge, 21, from Farnham, Surrey. 

 

Mr Bridge’s aunt, Georgina Bridge, told Sky News: “Obviously the family are really concerned that the search has been suspended and we are really hoping that it will be resumed.

 

“We are hopeful that they were able to launch a life raft and that they are still on board that, so we would just really like the search to be resumed.”