A HAMPSHIRE businessman who has been charged with manslaughter following the death of his friend in a boating incident, had ignored safety advice, a court heard.

Chief Operating Officer of OneCom, Aaron Brown is charged with the manslaughter of his friend Ryan McKinley, 36, after the incident off the Isle of Wight in June 2015.

The 33-year-old, from Harmsworth Farm, Curbridge, denies the charge.

Winchester Crown Court heard how Brown had taken a party of friends out on his jointly-owned boat, The True Blue, on the day the fatal collision occurred.

Prosecutor Nick Tucker told how on June 19 they had gone from Swanwick Marina to Osborne Bay on the Isle of Wight.

He hired Paul Carey as a day skipper to be in charge of the boat, while he attended to the guests, including ex-Saints footballer Lee Molyneux and ex-Portsmouth player Lee Bradbury.

The court heard that a Williams 325 turbo jet rib - which can travel at speeds of more than 40mph – was attached to the boat and the court was show video footage by a guest on board The True Blue of the rib being driven by Carey that day.

Mr Tucker said that Carey was driving unsafely and violently splashing passengers on board the True Blue by swerving close to the boat.

Later that day Brown was seen driving the rib, with Mr McKinley on board.

Mr Tucker explained that as the rib approached the boat, Brown realised a collision was likely to happen and tried to steer the boat to safety.

In a matter of seconds, the rib veered to the left and crashed into the swimming platform.

He said that Brown had ignored safety advice and had driven the rib too close to the boat.

He added the collision was “avoidable” and “gross negligence”, and that Brown had failed in his duty of care to McKinley.

Mr McKinley was sat at the front of the boat and died later that day at St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight, while Brown escaped with only minor injuries.

The court heard that Mr Brown had done a Royal Yachting Association Powerboat Level Two course in 2012, which the prosecution say had a section on the importance of keeping a "safe speed" and highlighted how not to go close to something needlessly.

The prosecution, argue that Brown ignored this advice.

Mr Tucker said: “Whatever reason it was that the rib flipped, the prosecution say it is beside the point.

“Also events are a known factor, driving a rib is not like driving a car, the sea has a dynamic surface, it is unpredictable.

“Aaron Brown, who had undergone training would have known that the rib is prone to on occasion sudden deviations.

“That’s why he was given the advice is training if there is no need to close to something, then don’t.

“The prosecution say he ignored that advice and chose to pilot the rib close to the 38 ton cruiser at about 30mph.

“It was an accident, but it was an accident that was foreseeable and wholly avoidable.”

The case, which is expected to last two weeks, will continue this afternoon.

The trial continues.