Douglas Innes pleads not guilty over north Atlantic deaths of Andrew Bridge, Steve Warren, Paul Goslin and James Male

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The director of the yachting management company for the Cheeki Rafiki, which capsized in the north Atlantic killing its four crew members, has denied manslaughter in court.

The 40ft yacht lost its keel when it got into trouble more than 700 miles from Nova Scotia as the crew were returning from Antigua to the UK in May 2014.

Onboard were skipper Andrew Bridge, 22, from Farnham, Surrey, crew members Steve Warren, 52, and Paul Goslin, 56, both from Somerset, and James Male, 23, from Southampton.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Paul Goslin (left) and James Male. Photograph: Royal Yachting Association/PA

The US Coast Guard was criticised for calling off its search after two days. After protests from family and friends and intervention by the British government, the search was restarted and the boat found but without any sign of the four men.

Douglas Innes, director of Stormforce Coaching Ltd, appeared at Winchester crown court on Monday to enter his not guilty pleas to four counts of manslaughter by gross negligence.

He also denied a further charge of failing to operate the Cheeki Rafiki in a safe manner between 18 March 2013 and 18 May 2014.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Steve Warren (left) and Andrew Bridge. Photograph: Royal Yachting Association/PA

He also appeared as representative for Stormforce Coaching and entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the company to a charge of failing to ensure the vessel was operated in a safe manner contrary to section 100 Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

The judge, Mr Justice Dingemans, adjourned the case. A trial was set to start on 6 June next year.