The investigation into the tragic sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily on August 19, 2024, has significantly expanded. Italian prosecutors have now placed two additional crew members under formal investigation alongside the previously indicted captain, James Cutfield.Tim Parker Eaton, the 56-year-old chief engineer, and Matthew Griffith, a 22-year-old sailor on duty in the bridge, are now facing potential charges of multiple manslaughter and negligent sinking. Parker Eaton is accused of failing to activate crucial safety systems that would have closed the ship’s hatches, leading to flooding in the engine room and a subsequent blackout. Griffith is under scrutiny for allegedly failing to report the approaching storm in a timely manner.The tragedy resulted in seven deaths, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah. Fifteen people, including nine crew members and six passengers, survived the incident.Prosecutors are investigating several critical aspects of the incident, including a 32-minute delay between the onset of the storm and the launching of a distress signal. Naval experts have expressed puzzlement over the rapid sinking of the yacht, which was reportedly designed to withstand severe weather conditions.Captain Cutfield has invoked his right to remain silent during questioning, citing the need for time to gather information and prepare a defense. Meanwhile, Stephen Edwards, who commanded the yacht from 2015 to 2020, has suggested that the sinking was not due to human error but rather the result of the yacht exceeding its operational limits.As the investigation continues, authorities are considering salvaging the wreck, which currently lies at a depth of around 50 meters. The incident has raised serious questions about maritime safety protocols and the responsibilities of yacht crews in extreme weather conditions.
Key points
- Two additional crew members, Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffith, are now under investigation for the Bayesian yacht sinking.
- The investigation focuses on failure to activate safety systems and delayed storm reporting.
- The incident resulted in seven deaths, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter.
- Naval experts are puzzled by the rapid sinking of the yacht, designed to withstand severe weather.
Contradictions👾While some sources suggest human error as the primary cause of the sinking, former captain Stephen Edwards believes the yacht may have exceeded its operational limits, indicating potential disagreement about the root cause of the tragedy.
