UK - Four Cheeki Rafiki crew members, North Atlantic, 16 May 2014

[Wondergirl]

Possible Damage -

Mr Pindar added that, having seen a picture of the Cheeki Rafiki taken from the container ship, it appeared to be an upturned boat rather than mere debris."It looks like it was missing the keel and it is possible a bulb had fallen off the bottom," he said."I don't know this particular boat, but it is a possibility that there was some catastrophic failure of the keel in some form or another which would have caused the boat to tip over."

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/worl...ng-in-the-atlantic-is-called-off-9392015.html

 

[Wondergirl]

Cheeki Rafiki Possible Route - Perfect Storm Territory?

Just been a report on BBC news showing their track.. seems they ran up to and past the E side of Bermuda then curved E.. man that's a bad place to be.. looks like they were on the N wall of the Stream.. they'll likely have been hit by a NW.. the a N and a NE gale to finish.. the sea's really back up and there's a nasty cross sea for the finale.. not a place to take that boat.. Cannot understand this Bermuda route folk seem to favour.. search area looked well WNW of the Azores.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/uk-yacht-cheeki-rafiki-missing-in-mid-atlantic-126406-3.html

 

[FigTree]

Possible Damage -

Mr Pindar added that, having seen a picture of the Cheeki Rafiki taken from the container ship, it appeared to be an upturned boat rather than mere debris."It looks like it was missing the keel and it is possible a bulb had fallen off the bottom," he said."I don't know this particular boat, but it is a possibility that there was some catastrophic failure of the keel in some form or another which would have caused the boat to tip over."

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/worl...ng-in-the-atlantic-is-called-off-9392015.html

I wonder if the keel had contact with some other debris in the water - a container or something?
Where are they
Which direction would the tide and current be taking the life raft?

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[zwiebel]

'Cost was not a factor in the decision to call off the search, which would only restart if new information came to light'

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-27462450

 

[zwiebel]

In this article it says the crew had a Facebook blog, and on Tuesday, to celebrate 1000 miles of sailing, they released a beach ball with a note inside. And jokingly posted, 'Hope it doesn't get home before us!'

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/19/missing-yachtsmrn-atlantic-families-appeal-us-rescue

 

[zwiebel]

Does anyone know how long searches usually go on for? I'm sure it varies by location, size of vessel, etc. It just seems odd with all the positive factors: sighting of the hull, experienced sailors, proper survival equipment. JMO

With this 2001 sinking, searches were also discontinued after two days. But people were known to be in the water and so I guess there was certainty there were no more survivors.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-07-17/news/0107160358_1_boat-capsizes-coast-guard-rescuers

 

[christee]

On the cruisersforum the stepdaughter of one of the crewmen posted the LL of the floating hull spotted by a container ship.

post #50
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ing-in-mid-atlantic-126406-4.html#post1544439

 

[FigTree]

Daughter of one of British sailors lost in Atlantic calls for fresh search to find them as she claims they could be life raft with supplies which could last days
UK Daily Mail. Read more:
Update time and date: UPDATED: 19:54 AEST, 19 May 2014


Picture of the Hull

Hull sighting: On Saturday, a cargo vessel, the MV Maersk Kure, spotted and photographed an overturned hull, pictured, which matched the description of the Cheeki Rafiki but reported no signs of people on board or a life raft

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[FigTree]

Daily Mail. Read more:
UPDATED: 19:54 AEST, 19 May 2014

US and Canadian aircraft and merchant vessels looked for the crew throughout Friday and Saturday but later called off the search. Stormforce director Doug Innes said he was 'devastated' the search had been stopped

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[FigTree]

Main Stream Media Links
19th May 2014


MPs back calls for US to resume search for missing British yachtsmen
The Guardian UK. Read More...
Monday 19 May 2014 17.49 AEST

Daughter of one of British sailors lost in Atlantic calls for fresh search to find them as she claims they could be life raft with supplies which could last days
UK Daily Mail. Read more:
Update time and date: UPDATED: 19:54 AEST, 19 May 2014

Cheeki Rafiki Families Beg US Coastguard To Resume Search For Missing British Yachtsmen
Huffington Post UK. Read More:
Updated: 19/05/2014 08:59 BST

Missing yachtsmen: MP adds pressure on US Coastguard to resume search
The Telegraph UK. Read More:
9:05AM BST 19 May 2014

Video link - Interview with MP -
BBC News UK. Read More:
with footage of crew sailing the Cheeki Rafiki

Video Footage - News BBC
Missing yacht families urge US coast guard to resume search
BBC News 19th May 2014, Read More:
Comments from resident - West Camel, Sommerset UK
Map
Coast Guard Rob Simpson comment


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[zoran]

My understanding is a Beneteau First 40.7 racer-cruiser is not designed for Atlantic crossings . However now that its done its simply unbelievable its called off and is obviously a cost factor alone IMO

 

[FigTree]

The petition at Change.org - to resume the search is doing well - 11,500+
They only need another 3,500.

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[FigTree]

I have been looking for any news out of the USA Coastal states for the Cheeki Rafiki. Has anyone seen any?

If debris starts to wash up - it may hit the coastline of the USA.

 

[FigTree]

Just for future Source reference sake - not exactly relevant right now -

Lat Long Finder
Live Ship Map

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[zwiebel]

According to the PR release at Stormforce, the Maersk Kure volunteered to remain in the area and search until Sunday, when it was stood down. It sounds like it may have been waiting for a search and rescue vessel/aircraft to arrive, but it never did?

http://www.stormforce.biz/rafiki-press-release.html#.U3n5gssaySM

 

[zwiebel]

Stormforce FB, where the missing yacht crew are being discussed.

https://www.facebook.com/StormforceCoaching

 

[zwiebel]

Blog update from aboard the Cheeki, May 14th.

https://www.facebook.com/StormforceCoaching/posts/10152351577483548

 

[zwiebel]

Stormforce Twitter. It has some info/photos of the Cheeki and crew.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Stormforce_UK

 

[zwiebel]

Press statement about suspending the search from US Coastguard.

http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2165286/

Press statement from the beginning of the search

http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2164726/

US Coastguard twitter

https://mobile.twitter.com/USCG

 

[zwiebel]

Some links to local media from the missing men's hometowns.

Southampton News: 'Families keep up the pressure', plus comments from uncle of missing James Male.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/112...p_pressure_over_missing_yacht_crew/?ref=var_0

Romsey News: James Male's dad pleads for help.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/dis...d_of_missing_sailor_pleas_for_renewed_search/

Surrey News: With comments from the aunt of missing Cpt, Andrew Bridge.
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/farnham-man-missing-along-crew-7137274

Somerset News: Concerning missing Somerset crew members Paul Goslin and Steve Warren
http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/11220842.Two_Somerset_men_among_four_feared_lost_at_sea/

Petition passes 13,000
http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/...men-passes-7/story-21110865-detail/story.html

Latest BBC article with comment from Andrew Bridge's mother.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-27473507