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Verdicts due over dredger deaths Fishing boat deaths 'accidental'
(1 day later)
A coroner is to deliver his verdict on the deaths of seven crewmen who died in 2000 when their vessel, the Solway Harvester, sank off the Isle of Man. A coroner has recorded a verdict of accidental death on seven crewmen who died when the Solway Harvester sank in rough seas off the Isle of Man.
The scallop dredger went under in stormy seas on 11 January. The scallop dredger went down 11 miles off the island in January 2000.
All crewmen came from near the village of Isle of Whithorn, in Dumfries and Galloway. There were no survivors. All the crewmen, whose ages ranged from 17 to 33, came from near the Isle of Whithorn in south-west Scotland.
The boat's owner, Richard Gidney, faced trial in 2005 on manslaughter charges, but was acquitted when the judge ruled there was "no case to answer". Coroner Michael Moyle said the precise reason for the vessel sinking could not be pinpointed with certainty because of conflicting views from experts.
The inquest had been held up by the long investigation into the tragedy and a series of legal delays.
It was opened in 2000 after the Manx government paid to have the bodies and the vessel recovered but had to be adjourned for legal reasons.
In 2005, the boat's owner Richard Gidney faced trial on manslaughter charges but was acquitted when the judge ruled there was "no case to answer".
The crew members were skipper Andrew Mills (known as Craig), 29, his brother Robin Mills, 33, their cousin David Mills, 17, Martin Milligan, 26, John Murphy, 22, David Lyons, 18, and Wesley Jolly, 17. THE SOLWAY HARVESTER An automated scallop dredgerLaunched in 199221m (70ft) longAccommodation for eightWorkshop, ice machine and storage also on board The Solway Harvester tragedyThe crew members were skipper Andrew Mills (known as Craig), 29, his brother Robin Mills, 33, their cousin David Mills, 17, Martin Milligan, 26, John Murphy, 22, David Lyons, 18, and Wesley Jolly, 17. THE SOLWAY HARVESTER An automated scallop dredgerLaunched in 199221m (70ft) longAccommodation for eightWorkshop, ice machine and storage also on board The Solway Harvester tragedy
When the inquest into their deaths resumed two years ago, Mr Gidney refused to attend, but he finally gave evidence in June this year when a court order was granted compelling him to do so.When the inquest into their deaths resumed two years ago, Mr Gidney refused to attend, but he finally gave evidence in June this year when a court order was granted compelling him to do so.
The Solway Harvester sailed from Kirkcudbright, in Dumfries and Galloway, in the early hours of 10 January 2000 and headed to the queen scallop grounds of the Irish Sea. The coroner was highly critical of Mr Gidney.
By the next morning, the crew had filled 150 bags of scallops and were ready to head home. He added: "I regret to say that certain parts of Mr Gidney's evidence I found to be unsatisfactory or inadequate.
But the weather worsened and the crew headed for shelter at Ramsey Bay, Isle of Man. "It appears to me throughout that his first and real concern was his own self-interest, trying to protect himself from what he might perceive as suggestions of failings."
Nothing more was heard from the vessel until a satellite picked up an emergency position radio beacon. The inquest heard that the vessel had experienced three flooding incidents in eight years and that while Mr Gidney had installed a bilge alarm in the fish room of the Solway Harvester, it was not working when the boat began its final trip.
A rescue mission was scrambled but it was called off on 12 January after two unopened life rafts were found. Constable Alan White reads out a statement from the families
The wreck of the Solway Harvester was found on 15 January lying on its starboard side in 35 metres (115ft) of water. The bodies of all seven crew were on board. As a result, the boat's skipper Craig Mills was not alerted that water was rising in the fish room during the stormy weather.
Coroner Michael Moyle will deliver his findings on their deaths later. Mr Moyle drew attention to other equipment shortcomings on the boat, including the fact that the lifeboats on board had not been serviced "for a considerable time".
He said: "Mr Gidney had concluded his evidence by endeavouring to dispel any suggestion that the Solway Harvester was not properly maintained or properly equipped.
"Many others, myself included, might not necessarily share such a view.
"I do not have any comparisons to draw upon. However, I would suspect that, by any standards, three serious flooding incidents in the short life - eight years - of this vessel might be regarded as somewhat excessive."
Similar tragedy
Members of four of the families were in court for the verdict.
The families issued a statement through Dumfries and Galloway Police.
It said: "After almost nine years we are pleased that the judicial process into the sinking of the Solway Harvester has finally been completed.
"Despite a number of delays, we are pleased that the coroner Mr Moyle has been able to gather all of the evidence he required to give his findings.
"We hope that the recommendations made by the MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch) in their report, and endorsed by Mr Moyle today, will be acted upon by the fishing industry and appropriately enforced by the relevant authorities, in the hope that this will reduce the possibility of a similar tragedy ever happening again.
"The conclusion of this process will hopefully give us a degree of closure and allow us to move on with our lives."
(Top left to right) Robin Mills, David Mills, John Doyle Murphy. (Bottom left to right) Andrew "Craig" Mills, Martin Milligan (pictured with his fiancee), Wesley Jolly, David Lyons(Top left to right) Robin Mills, David Mills, John Doyle Murphy. (Bottom left to right) Andrew "Craig" Mills, Martin Milligan (pictured with his fiancee), Wesley Jolly, David Lyons