The hull of the "Cheeki Rafiki" without a keel. There is no trace of the team
After the US Coast Guard sighted the floating hull of the "Cheeki Rafiki" on Friday, it was examined by US Navy swimmers. Furthermore, as reported by the BBC, the identity of the Beneteau First 40.7 was clarified and a search was made for people possibly trapped in the cabin. The life raft was also found. This is sad news for all those who had hoped for a successful outcome of the extensive search. The crew around skipper Andrew Bridge hadn't managed to get to safety. There is no longer any chance of salvation. The search has been discontinued.
The "Cheeki Rafiki" was on her way back from the Caribbean to England when the crew of the charter company reported a water ingress. The next day, May 16, contact broke off. After an extensive search, in which yachts also participated in large numbers as part of ARC Europe, the sad certainty now came. The cause of the accident could have been problems with the hull-keel connection.