Italian prosecutors have officially launched an investigation into James Cutfield, the 51-year-old New Zealand captain of the luxury yacht ‘Bayesian’, which sank off the coast of Sicily on August 19, 2024. Cutfield is being investigated for potential charges of manslaughter and negligent shipwreck in connection with the tragedy that claimed seven lives, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah.Ambrogio Cartosio, head of the public prosecutor’s office of Termini Imerese, stated that ‘it is probable that offenses were committed, that it could be a case of manslaughter’. The investigation is focusing on the actions of the crew, particularly the handling of the yacht during the storm that led to its sinking.New details have emerged about the timeline of the incident. According to the Italian news agency ANSA, 32 minutes elapsed between the time the ship started taking on water and the moment a flare was shot to signal for help at 4:38 am. Investigators are examining why the yacht, described as ‘built to go to sea in any weather’ by its designer Franco Romani, sank so rapidly.Key areas of inquiry include whether hatches were left open, allowing water to enter the vessel, and the timing of the alarm being sounded. There’s also speculation about a meteorological phenomenon known as a ‘water spout’ or mini-tornado being involved in the sinking.The yacht’s wreckage, currently lying at a depth of about 50 meters, is expected to be recovered in the coming months, an operation crucial to the ongoing investigation. As the investigation continues, the international yachting community is closely watching, with experts like Sarah Allan noting that ‘as with any incident, lessons will be learned’.
Key points
- Captain James Cutfield is under investigation for manslaughter and negligent shipwreck.
- The yacht sank rapidly, with 32 minutes between taking on water and distress signal.
- Investigators are examining crew actions, including hatch management and alarm timing.
- The yacht’s wreckage, at 50 meters depth, is crucial to the ongoing investigation.
Contradictions👾While some sources suggest a sudden storm or ‘water spout’ caused the sinking, others indicate that crew errors, such as leaving hatches open, may have been responsible.
