FERRY crews sailing in the Solent are helping with a marine investigation after a 25ft yacht vanished and three men, including two with Kent connections, lost their lives.

Operators have been asked to supply their black box data recorders to see if can solve the mystery of why the Ouzo sank without trace.

Following a request from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, P&O Ferries confirmed on Tuesday that it has supplied information of its ferry the Pride of Bilbao.

A spokesman said: "We are co-operating fully with the MAIB. As the investigation is at a very early stage we believe it inappropriate to comment further at this point."

The body of City banker Jason Downer, 35, from The Parade, Broadstairs, was spotted in the sea by the Solent coastguard helicopter early on Wednesday last week five miles south of St Catherine’s Point, following what may have been a mid-Channel collision.

The bodies of trhe two other crewmen had been found earlier. James Meaby was discovered by fishermen. He was still weariing a lifejacket and it was the first that anyone knew of the disaster.

The body of yacht owner Rupert Saunders, 36, was discovered on the Wednesday evening. His parents, Albert and Marilyn Saunders, live in Swanley Village Road, Swanley Village, near Dartford. He lived in Louisville Road, Tooting,

The friends, who are described as experienced sailors, had set out from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight on the Sunday evening, heading for the Royal Regatta at Dartmouth. They were due to race later in the week but never arrived.

No distress call was registered by coastguards who believe the Ouzo may have been run down by a larger vessel at night or collided with a submerged container and sank before the crew could raise the alarm.

A major air sea rescue operation was launched and involved an RAF Nimrod aircraft and Royal Navy minsesweepers, as well as helicopters, lifeboats and the police marine unit, after the first body had been found.

Brian Taylor, of the Solent coastguard, said: "We can only make the assumption that the missing yacht has been involved in some sort of catastrophic collision. We have no record of any messages of distress being sent out.

"We would have expected someone on board a larger vessel to report it but they could have been below deck. If they had been run down and it has not been reported then sadly I must say that would not have been the first time that has happened."

The families of the three men have issued a statement. It said: "Rupert Saunders, James Meaby and Jason Downer are a group who have been close friends for many years, going back to school and university days.

"All three had a zest for life, following testing professional careers along with a love for sports, including sailing. They were all competent, qualified sailors and were on board Rupert’s 26-foot yacht Ouzo, which he shared with his brother Jamie.

"On Sunday, August 20, they set out to sail from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight to Dartmouth, Devon, a voyage with which they were familiar, having done the same trip before.

"The yacht Ouzo is a well-equipped vessel, based at Bembridge, where Rupert’s family have a home. As well as sailing, the lads also keenly enjoyed rugby and skiing, being keen supporters of Quinn’s rugby team.

"They all were loving family members who will be dearly missed."

An inquest is due to be opened next week by the Isle of Wight coroner. So far there has been no trace of the yacht.