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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Officer cleared over Ouzo charges | Officer cleared over Ouzo charges |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A car ferry officer has been cleared of all charges relating to the deaths of three crewmen when their yacht, the Ouzo, sank in the English Channel. | A car ferry officer has been cleared of all charges relating to the deaths of three crewmen when their yacht, the Ouzo, sank in the English Channel. |
| 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 the 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 the yacht. |
| The jury was unable to reach verdicts on charges of endangering the men's lives under the Merchant Shipping Act. | The jury was unable to reach verdicts on charges of endangering the men's lives under the Merchant Shipping Act. |
| James Meaby, 36, Rupert Saunders, 36, and Jason Downer, 35, all drowned. | James Meaby, 36, Rupert Saunders, 36, and Jason Downer, 35, all drowned. |
| Mr Hubble was found not guilty of the men's manslaughter on Wednesday. | Mr Hubble was found not guilty of the men's manslaughter on Wednesday. |
| The Ouzo was lost off the Isle of Wight in the early hours of 21 August last year. | The Ouzo was lost off the Isle of Wight in the early hours of 21 August last year. |
| The jury at Winchester Crown Court had been deliberating for more than 33 hours after reaching their decision over the manslaughter charges but could not reach a decision. | The jury at Winchester Crown Court had been deliberating for more than 33 hours after reaching their decision over the manslaughter charges but could not reach a decision. |
| 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 Mystery still surrounds Ouzo | 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 Mystery still surrounds Ouzo |
| Mr Hubble was formally cleared of engaging in conduct as a seaman that was likely to cause death or serious injury, and the judge, Mr Justice Owen instructed that not guilty verdicts be recorded. | Mr Hubble was formally cleared of engaging in conduct as a seaman that was likely to cause death or serious injury, and the judge, Mr Justice Owen instructed that not guilty verdicts be recorded. |
| There will be no retrial. | There will be no retrial. |
| In statement, the sailors' families 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. | In statement, the sailors' families 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 enjoyed life to the full, they worked hard and played hard. |
| "They were safety conscious sailors - safety first, safety second safety third. | "They were safety conscious sailors - safety first, safety second safety third. |
| "Each of us has been devastated by the death of a much-loved family member who gave us so much pleasure and enjoyment." | |
| 'Correct decision' | 'Correct decision' |
| Mr Hubble, from Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone, was in charge of the 37,500-tonne ship when it was allegedly involved in the sinking. | Mr Hubble, from Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone, was in charge of the 37,500-tonne ship when it was allegedly involved in the sinking. |
| He said: "The families of the men have my deepest sympathy but the demise of those men was nothing to do with me, or any action of mine or the Pride of Bilbao." | He said: "The families of the men have my deepest sympathy but the demise of those men was nothing to do with me, or any action of mine or the Pride of Bilbao." |
| Mr Hubble's solicitor, Kerry King, said: "We are extremely pleased with the outcome. | Mr Hubble's solicitor, Kerry King, said: "We are extremely pleased with the outcome. |
| "There are no winners in a trial like this. Mr Hubble can now get on with his life but we have to be mindful in our celebrations for the families of the three men who died. | "There are no winners in a trial like this. Mr Hubble can now get on with his life but we have to be mindful in our celebrations for the families of the three men who died. |
| "Mr Hubble has always maintained that the decision he made as the officer on watch was the correct one." | "Mr Hubble has always maintained that the decision he made as the officer on watch was the correct one." |
| Return to top | Return to top |