A P&O worker has appeared in court charged with the manslaughter due to gross negligence of three yachtsmen.
The three men were on board the yacht Ouzo, which vanished after leaving Bembridge on the the Isle of Wight, bound for the Dartmouth Regatta, on August 20th.
The bodies of Jason Downer, 35, from Kent, Rupert Saunders, 36, and James Meaby, 36, both from London, were found in the sea over the following three days.
The trial of Michael Hubble from Kent, who was officer of the watch on the P&O's Pride of Bilbao on August 20th, was adjourned until March 30th.
Mr Meaby's death was caused by a combination of drowning and hypothermia, while the other two died of drowning. Their yacht Ouzo, a 27ft (8.2m) Sailfish sloop, has never been found.
The car ferry and its black box data recorder were later examined by investigators.
Mr Hubble was initially arrested on September 2nd and released on police bail until yesterday, when he appeared before Portsmouth Magistrates' Court.
His next appearance will be at Winchester Crown Court.
