Debris found in Cheeki Rafiki search

by BBC on 22 May 2014 Debris has been found in the Atlantic Ocean near where the UK yacht Cheeki Rafiki disappeared.

The captain of a catamaran taking part in the search told the BBC details had been passed to the US Coast Guard, but said he did not know if the debris was part of the missing boat.

The 40ft Cheeki Rafiki, based in Southampton, was sailing back to the UK from Antigua when it went missing.

The search was originally called off on Sunday but resumed on Tuesday.

The four missing crew members are Paul Goslin, 56, from West Camel, Somerset; skipper Andrew Bridge, 22, from Farnham; Steve Warren, 52, from Bridgwater; and 22-year-old James Male, from Romsey.

Patrick Michel, skipper of the Malisi, one of the volunteer crews searching for the missing yacht, said he had reported the positions of the debris and the time they were spotted to the US Coast Guard.

Mr Michel said a plank of wood, which could be a floorboard or part of a table, and a plastic board had been seen.

Mr Michel told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he did not know for certain what the items were but said 'the grouping of these debris in the northern part of the search area could indicate that they are recent'.

He added: 'Until we get feedback from the owner who knows the boat, nothing can be confirmed.'

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