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25/08/2006
English Channel bodies identified
Two bodies discovered in the English Channel in the search for a missing yacht and its three-men crew have been identified.
The bodies of Rupert Saunders, 36, from Tooting, south London and Jason Downer, 35, of Broadstairs, Kent were found by the Coastguard's rescue helicopter on Wednesday night, five miles south of St Catherine's Point, just off the southern tip of the Isle of Wight.
The body of the third crewman James Meaby, 36, also from Tooting, was recovered on Tuesday.
The discovery was made following a long search for the missing yacht Ouzo. The yacht, which was described as a 27ft single mast with a navy blue fibreglass hull, is understood to have left Bembridge on the Isle of Wight on Sunday and was believed to be heading to Devon for the Dartmouth Regatta.
The yacht has still not been located and it is not known what happened to the vessel. According to reports, no Mayday signal was heard from the yacht.
Hampshire Police have launched an inquiry.
A joint statement was released by the yachtsmen's families. It said: “Rupert Saunders, James Meaby and Jason Downer are a group who have been close friends for many years, going back to school and university days.
“All three had a zest for life, following testing professional careers along with a love for sports, including sailing. They were all competent, qualified sailors and were on board Rupert's 26-foot yacht Ouzo, which he shared with his brother Jamie.
“On Sunday, August 20, they set out to sail from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight to Dartmouth, Devon, a voyage with which they were familiar, having done the same trip before.
“The yacht Ouzo is a well-equipped vessel, based at Bembridge, where Rupert's family have a home. As well as sailing, the lads also keenly enjoyed rugby and skiing, being keen supporters of Quinn's rugby team.
“They all were loving family members who will be dearly missed.”
(KMcA)
The bodies of Rupert Saunders, 36, from Tooting, south London and Jason Downer, 35, of Broadstairs, Kent were found by the Coastguard's rescue helicopter on Wednesday night, five miles south of St Catherine's Point, just off the southern tip of the Isle of Wight.
The body of the third crewman James Meaby, 36, also from Tooting, was recovered on Tuesday.
The discovery was made following a long search for the missing yacht Ouzo. The yacht, which was described as a 27ft single mast with a navy blue fibreglass hull, is understood to have left Bembridge on the Isle of Wight on Sunday and was believed to be heading to Devon for the Dartmouth Regatta.
The yacht has still not been located and it is not known what happened to the vessel. According to reports, no Mayday signal was heard from the yacht.
Hampshire Police have launched an inquiry.
A joint statement was released by the yachtsmen's families. It said: “Rupert Saunders, James Meaby and Jason Downer are a group who have been close friends for many years, going back to school and university days.
“All three had a zest for life, following testing professional careers along with a love for sports, including sailing. They were all competent, qualified sailors and were on board Rupert's 26-foot yacht Ouzo, which he shared with his brother Jamie.
“On Sunday, August 20, they set out to sail from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight to Dartmouth, Devon, a voyage with which they were familiar, having done the same trip before.
“The yacht Ouzo is a well-equipped vessel, based at Bembridge, where Rupert's family have a home. As well as sailing, the lads also keenly enjoyed rugby and skiing, being keen supporters of Quinn's rugby team.
“They all were loving family members who will be dearly missed.”
(KMcA)
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24 August 2006
Three bodies recovered from the English Channel
The Coastguard has now recovered three bodies from the English Channel in the search for a missing yacht and its crew. The two bodies were spotted by the Coastguard's rescue helicopter on Wednesday night, five miles south of St. Catherine's Point, just off the southern tip of the Isle of Wight.
Three bodies recovered from the English Channel
The Coastguard has now recovered three bodies from the English Channel in the search for a missing yacht and its crew. The two bodies were spotted by the Coastguard's rescue helicopter on Wednesday night, five miles south of St. Catherine's Point, just off the southern tip of the Isle of Wight.
30 July 2012
Missing Yachtsman's Sailing Companion Is Arrested
A man has been arrested over the disappearance of a British yachtsman who went missing on a round-the-world trip. Sean Terry, 48, was sailing on the Indian Ocean between the Maldives and Madagascar when his family last heard from him. He went missing on June 18.
Missing Yachtsman's Sailing Companion Is Arrested
A man has been arrested over the disappearance of a British yachtsman who went missing on a round-the-world trip. Sean Terry, 48, was sailing on the Indian Ocean between the Maldives and Madagascar when his family last heard from him. He went missing on June 18.
08 September 2008
Man Dies After Falling Off Yacht
A man has died after he fell from a yacht off the coast of South Wales. The man, who had been sailing on a 27-foot sailing sloop called Gun Smoke in the Bristol Channel with another male, died after he was hit by the boom and knocked overboard. Swansea coastguard received a distress call at 3pm on Sunday from the second man.
Man Dies After Falling Off Yacht
A man has died after he fell from a yacht off the coast of South Wales. The man, who had been sailing on a 27-foot sailing sloop called Gun Smoke in the Bristol Channel with another male, died after he was hit by the boom and knocked overboard. Swansea coastguard received a distress call at 3pm on Sunday from the second man.
09 February 2007
Ferry officer in court over sailors' deaths
A 61-year-old P&O employee has appeared in court charged with manslaughter, due to gross negligence, of three sailors. Michael Hubble, of Folkestone in Kent, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court charged with the manslaughter of Jason Downer, James Meaby and Rupert Saunders.
Ferry officer in court over sailors' deaths
A 61-year-old P&O employee has appeared in court charged with manslaughter, due to gross negligence, of three sailors. Michael Hubble, of Folkestone in Kent, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court charged with the manslaughter of Jason Downer, James Meaby and Rupert Saunders.
21 September 2006
Ferry worker arrested over yacht deaths
A P&O ferry worker has been arrested in connection with the deaths of three sailors, whose bodies were found following the disappearance of their yacht in the English Channel. The 61-year-old from Dover, who works on the firm's Pride of Bilbao, was arrested on Wednesday, police confirmed.
Ferry worker arrested over yacht deaths
A P&O ferry worker has been arrested in connection with the deaths of three sailors, whose bodies were found following the disappearance of their yacht in the English Channel. The 61-year-old from Dover, who works on the firm's Pride of Bilbao, was arrested on Wednesday, police confirmed.
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