The investigation into the sinking of the superyacht Bayesian off Sicily’s coast is expanding to include the crew, with captain James Cutfield being of primary interest. The investigation aims to determine whether the crimes of “culpable shipwreck” and “manslaughter” may have been committed. Cutfield, along with the rest of the crew, have been questioned by magistrates, and legal proceedings are ongoing. While being under investigation doesn’t imply guilt, Cutfield is the only suspect named in the manslaughter investigation so far.
Cutfield, a New Zealand national with extensive experience as a skipper, is being represented by two prominent lawyers and is determined to defend himself against the charges. The crew members, including the bosun, sailors, chief engineer, and hostesses, have also been questioned, but Cutfield and his deputy Koopmans are expected to stay longer in Sicily for further investigation. The testimonies of Cutfield and Koopmans are crucial in determining what happened and whether mistakes were made by the crew during the storm that led to the yacht sinking.
Many questions remain unanswered, such as why the yacht remained anchored despite bad weather forecasts, whether the hatches were open and caused water ingress, and why passengers weren’t warned in time. Additionally, how a sailboat deemed ‘unsinkable’ by its builders, Perini Navi, could sink so quickly is a key question. Initial hypotheses suggest the yacht may have been hit by a powerful wind or waterspout, but the investigation is focusing on how a supposedly stable vessel sank while others nearby did not.
Coast Guard divers are inspecting the wreck of the Bayesian under the prosecutor’s orders, documenting details that could explain the shipwreck and monitoring the fuel tanks for potential spillage. Camper & Nicholsons, the company that owns the yacht, is developing a plan to salvage the wreck, which currently sits 49 meters deep on its side. The priority is to empty the fuel tank and safely raise the yacht to the surface. The sinking of the Bayesian, which resulted in the deaths of several individuals including British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his daughter, has raised serious questions about the events leading up to the disaster and the actions of the crew during the storm.
