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Officer cleared over Ouzo charges Officer cleared over Ouzo charges
(31 minutes later)
A car ferry officer has been cleared of all charges relating to the deaths of three crewmen who died when their boat sank in the English Channel.A car ferry officer has been cleared of all charges relating to the deaths of three crewmen who died when their boat sank in the English Channel.
Michael Hubble, 62, of Kent, was the officer of the watch in charge of a P&O ferry, Pride of Bilbao, which was in a close encounter with a yacht. Michael Hubble, 62, of Kent, was the officer of the watch in charge of P&O's Pride of Bilbao which was in a close encounter with a yacht.
The jury was unable to reach verdicts in the remaining charges under the Merchant Shipping Act.The jury was unable to reach verdicts in the remaining charges under the Merchant Shipping Act.
Mr Hubble was found not guilty of manslaughter yesterday. James Meaby, 36, Rupert Saunders, 36, and Jason Downer, 35, all drowned.
James Meaby, Rupert Saunders and Jason Downer drowned when the Ouzo was lost. The sailors' yacht, the Ouzo, was lost off the Isle of Wight in the early hours of 21 August last year.
The judge instructed that not guilty verdicts be recorded. There will be no retrial. Each of us has been devastated by death of a much-loved family member who gave us so much pleasure and enjoyment Statement from the sailors' families
Mr Hubble was found not guilty of their manslaughter on Wednesday.
The jury at Winchester Crown Court had been deliberating for more than 33 hours but was unable to reach a decision over further charges under the Merchant Shipping Act.
Mr Hubble was formally cleared of engaging in conduct as a seaman that was likely to cause death or serious injury.
The judge instructed that not guilty verdicts be recorded.
There will be no retrial.
A statement from the sailors' families was read out by Det Con Sarah Macketts from Hampshire Constabulary.
They said: "Each worked hard in their employment to reach a time when they were each just beginning to reap the benefits of their hard work.
"They enjoyed life to the full, they worked hard and played hard.
"They were safety conscious sailors - safety fist, safety second safety third.
"Each of us has been devastated by death of a much-loved family member who gave us so much pleasure and enjoyment."