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SOLWAY HARVESTER INQUEST IS POSTPONED
THE inquest into the deaths of the seven crew members of the Solway Harvester has been postponed.
The scallop dredger sank off the south west of the Island on 11 January 2000 taking the lives of all seven crew and devastating the community of the Isle of Whithorn.
Andrew Craig Mills, 29, was the vessel's skipper with crew members David Mills, 18, Robin Mills, 33, Martin Hugh Milligan, 26, John Doyle Murphy, 22, Wesley John Jolly and David Joseph Lyons, both 17, on board.
A week had been set aside for the inquest, which was due to start on Monday, November 20.
But on Tuesday, coroner Michael Moyle said the inquiry had been delayed because of technical difficulties involving the attendance of a key witness and it may be a few more months before the inquest is held.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch reported that the vessel sank after taking on water and capsizing in rough weather.
The vessel's owner, Richard Gidney, of Fleet, Scotland, last year stood trial for the manslaughter of the seven crew.
He was accused of failing in his duty of care as owner of the vessel, but the case against him collapsed after the defence successfully argued there was no case to answer.
Deemster Moran described the failings in the 1m prosecution as 'crippling'.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
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Light rain
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