Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Chief Executive Rod Carr said: ‘First and foremost our condolences go to the family and friends of the three yachtsmen. However, the verdict does not detract from the important lessons that must be learnt from this tragic incident and the need to improve procedures across the whole maritime community.

‘Following the accident, the MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch) produced a report containing advice and recommendations both to commercial ships and to recreational yachts. The RYA has worked hard to communicate the relevant advice and recommendations to the recreational boating community and we hope that the commercial shipping industry will also embrace the MAIB’s proposals.

‘The RYA will continue to work with Government and the commercial shipping industry to ensure that, as far as possible tragedies such as “Ouzo” are avoided in the future and the RYA will continue to promote its educational message in this regard.’