The director of a sailing firm who sent students across the Atlantic on an unsafe yacht with an unqualified captain has been fined and ordered to pay costs by a British court.

According to the Isle of Wight County Press, a Southampton Crown Court judge told George Haworth of In2Sail Ltd that if he does not pay up he would be jailed for six months.

The court heard that Haworth sold voyages to students for more than £8,000 per head, but did not have boats equipped with the minimum lifesaving gear required.

It also heard that students had been sent on a trip to St Lucia with a skipper not fully qualified for a yacht and with only basic equipment to operate within 60 miles of a safe haven.

Defending barrister Charles Crinion said his client’s "good reputation had been irrevocably damaged" and has cost him his business, with a personal loss of £45,000. 

Haworth admitted two counts of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the yacht was operated safely.

The Isle of Wight County Press has more on the story HERE.