Sailors’ families distraught as empty raft found

Relatives of the four sailors feared lost in the Atlantic have said they are “shocked and deeply saddened” by the news the boat has been found.

Hopes of finding the men all but faded yesterday after the yacht’s life raft was discovered on board the capsized vessel.

The US Coast Guard called off its search at 3am and an RAF Hercules plane due to hunt for the sailors was stood down.

Underwater imagery taken by a swimmer from a US Navy warship showed the raft clearly stowed in place, indicating it had not been deployed in an emergency.

Prime Minister David Cameron said his “thoughts are with the families and friends of the crew”.

The upturned yacht was discovered in the Atlantic Ocean yesterday, about 1,000 miles east of Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

Its cabin was completely flooded and its windows were shattered. There was no sign of survivors.

Coast guard officials decided to call off the search for the men experienced captain Andrew Bridge, 22, from Farnham, Surrey, and crew members James Male, 23, from Southampton, Steve Warren, 52, from Bridgwater, Somerset, and Paul Goslin, 56, from West Camel, Somerset unless there was new information or sightings which suggested they would still be alive.

But “none of the developments indicate that to be the case”, a spokesman said.

Mr Bridge’s family said in a statement: “We are obviously shocked and deeply saddened by the news. Andrew will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families of the rest of the crew on the Cheeki Rafiki.

“We would like to thank everyone who’s helped in the search for Andrew, including the US Coast Guard, the Canadian Coast Guard, the RAF, merchant vessels, the yachting community and the British and American Governments.

“We have been overwhelmed and strengthened by the public support we have received and would like to thank the media for their support.

Mr Cameron said: “My thoughts are with the families and friends of the crew of the Cheeki Rafiki after the sad news that its hull has been found with the life raft unused.

“My sincere thanks to the US Coast Guard for leading the international search with great dedication and to the US Navy, the Canadian authorities and to our own RAF C130 aircraft who took part in it.”