The captain of the Bayesian superyacht is under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck following a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of seven people, including British tech millionaire Mike Lynch and his daughter.
James Cutfield, 51, from New Zealand, is facing scrutiny for his role in the incident, with La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera reporting that he is being investigated for both manslaughter and shipwreck. Magistrates questioned Cutfield for over two hours on Sunday, marking their second interview with him in a week.
Prosecutors are also considering investigating a crew member who was on duty during the storm and survived the disaster. The 184-foot Bayesian was carrying 22 people when it capsized and sank last Monday after being hit by a storm while anchored off northern Sicily.
Mike Lynch and four others were found dead in the first cabin on the yacht’s port side, while Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, was discovered in the third cabin after the yacht sank stern-first and rolled onto its side on the seabed. The yacht’s chef also perished. Fifteen of the 22 people aboard, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, managed to escape on a life raft.
Prosecutors revealed that the victims attempted to scramble to one side of the vessel to reach air pockets after the yacht sank in the storm. Chief Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio noted that the victims were likely asleep when the storm struck at around 5 a.m. local time, leaving them unable to escape.
Being under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt or guarantee formal charges. Maritime law places full responsibility for the ship, crew, and passengers on the captain. Cartosio indicated that there might be issues related to the crew’s responsibilities and whether they acted appropriately to warn passengers and manage the emergency.
Lead prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano reported that the Air Force’s investigation found the yacht was struck by a downburst from a thunderstorm. Despite forecasts of strong winds and a storm alert, there was no indication of a tornado. Cammarano noted that, given the conditions, there should have been no extreme surprises and that the captain was expected to have taken necessary precautions.
Bentivoglio Fiandra, head of Palermo’s fire brigade, described the scene inside the yacht as chaotic, with victims trying to find refuge in the remaining air pockets. Vincenzo Nardoni, an inspector with the Department of Fire Fighters’ Divers in Naples, reported that the interior was disorganized and difficult to navigate, with victims trapped among debris.
Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which built the Bayesian, criticized the crew for allegedly failing to close doors and hatches, asserting that the yacht should have been nearly unsinkable. He emphasized that modern high-tech sailing ships are designed for stability and safety, even in severe conditions.
Authorities now face the challenging task of retrieving the wreck intact for further investigation. Expert diver Bertrand Sciboz noted that salvaging the wreck intact will be a complex operation, requiring careful handling, including the removal of the mast.
