The owner of the Solway Harvester has admitted he refused to attend the inquest into the sinking because he felt there was an attempt to blame him for the tragedy.

Richard Gidney was petitioned to give evidence at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court by the Isle of Man's coroner Michael Moyle, after initially refusing to travel to the Island on the advice of his lawyers.

Sheriff principal Brian Lockhart told him he faced arrest if he failed to appear for this week's hearings.

The Solway Harvester sank off the Isle of Man in January 2000, with the loss of all seven men.

Much of yesterday’s evidence dealt with technical and safety procedures on the vessel, which, the court heard, had flooded twice in the three years before it went down.

Mr Gidney told the inquest responsibility was shared between him and the skipper and the last full safety check had been carried out nearly four years before the tragedy.

He also admitted to a plan to send another boat to the area where the Harvester sank, just days after the sinking.

He said he wanted to find out himself why the ship had gone down as there were rumours of submarine involvement.

Mr Gidney was acquitted of manslaughter three years ago when a judge ruled there was no case to answer.

The Sheriff Principal will hear evidence throughout the week before submitting a report to the inquest.

Mr Moyle hopes to deliver his verdict in the autumn.

(Picture: The Solway Harvester alongside the Victoria pier in Douglas earlier this year).