Cheeki Rafiki families ‘disconsolate’

Families of the Cheeki Rafiki crew that went missing in the Atlantic Ocean have praised the US Coast Guard for their efforts in searching for the four sailors.

The Coast Guard initially came under huge pressure after calling off the hunt for the four men, only for a UK petition signed by 200,000 people and the British Government to prompt a rethink.

The search was resumed last Tuesday but called off a second time on Friday after the vessel was found with its life raft still on board.

The families of Paul Goslin, Steve Warren, James Male and Andrew Bridge said in a statement yesterday: “Friday’s tragic news brought us unimaginable pain, leaving us each and all utterly disconsolate.

“Nonetheless, we take some small solace that this conclusive development allowed us to gain an element of closure. 

“We know that they will be forever remembered based upon the flood of touching responses received already.”

The families thanked those who had been involved in the rescue and said that the UK Foreign Office has been “relentless, professional and hugely sympathetic” in its support.

They added: “Naturally we’d like to thank the US Coast Guard, along with some UK and Canadian support: they said they were searching like it was one of their own family, and we couldn’t have asked for more.

“We are well aware that the men and women of the US Coast Guard who tirelessly participated in the search, plus those on private yachts and merchant vessels, bore terrible weather conditions and not inconsiderable personal risk to find our loved ones: we are humbled and offer our eternal gratitude.

“In particular, we would like to offer special praise for the continual backing of the British media in championing our cause, right to the last, and for the dignified and respectful tone of journalism set.

“Last, but not least, we would like to say how indebted we are to the public for its overwhelming and unprecedented support.

“In the end our petition gained 240,000 signatures, that is equivalent to a city the size of Southampton.

“This has helped quell our distress somewhat, but in particular Paul, Steve, James and Andrew would have been enormously touched to have known that they were in the minds of so many people. 

“It would have brought them great comfort in their moment of need and could, just could, have made a vital difference in saving their lives had the circumstances only been different.”

The crew were sailing back to the UK from a regatta in Antigua.