Boat Owner Not Guilty Of Manslaughter

Businessman cleared after his friend was accidentally killed in boat crash.

- Nick Burnham

A 33-year-old Fairline owner was cleared of manslaughter by gross negligence after accidentally crashing a Williams 325 Turbojet tender into his own boat, causing the death of his close friend Ryan McKinlay.

Aaron Brown, the joint owner of a Fairline Targa 62 GT called True Blue, stood trial in Winchester Crown Court in March. His skipper for the day, Paul Carey, 52, was also found not guilty of contravening shipping regulations by driving too fast close to another vessel.

The case could have had profound implications not just for Brown, who faced a possible lengthy jail term if found guilty, and Carey, but also for every other boat user who may have inadvertently contravened the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Colregs) by driving quickly close to other boats. This could have included powerboat racers, marine photographers and even cruises in company.