THE Neyland owner of a fishing boat where two young crew died from carbon monoxide poisoning is to go trial on charges linked to their deaths.

Victims Mark Arries, 26, and Edward Ide, 21, from Northumberland, died on the Eshcol while using a stove to keep warm when the scallop dredger was moored overnight in Whitby harbour in January 2014.

This morning, July 29, vessel owner Timothy Bowman-Davies, 43, of Lighthouse Drive, Hazelbeach, Neyland appeared via video link before Scarborough Magistrates.

He faces two charges under the Merchant Fishing Health and Safety at Work Regulations and one under the The Merchant Shopping Act.

It is alleged in the charges that he failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure the vessel was operated in a safe manner.

According to the three counts, he also failed to check the galley cooker and grill, failed to ensure his crew was not exposed to carbon monoxide and failed to install a carbon monoxide detector which an inquest said could have saved the sailors’ lives.

He is also accused of failing to identify the increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from the cooker due to its condition and failing to provide an alternative heat source for the crew to warm themselves.

It is also claimed he failed to provide the fishermen with adequate instructions on using the cooking and heating equipment.

Asked to enter pleas via video screen from Llanelli magistrates court, Bowman-Davies said: “Not guilty to all three.”

Counsel James Leonard, prosecuting for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, successfully applied for the case to be sent to York Crown Court.

He added: “The case is not suitable for summary trial. Our case is two men died in Whitby Harbour as a direct consequence of the defendant’s failures in relation to a cooker.

“Two men died. A third only survived because he chose to spend the night on shore.”

Defending solicitor Gordon Sewell said: “The defendant does not accept any of the prosecution case.

“This is not a case of manslaughter. An inquest jury returned a conclusion of death by misadventure.”

Bowman-Davies, making his first appearance on the charges, was bailed to appear at York Crown Court on August 26.