NaijWeb Keeping you informed…
The captain of the Bayesian superyacht, James Cutfield, is under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck after a tragic incident off the coast of northern Sicily left seven people dead, including British tech millionaire Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.
The luxury yacht, which was carrying 22 passengers, capsized and sank within minutes after being struck by a sudden storm on Monday, August 19.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are determined to seek justice for the victims and ensure that such a catastrophe is not repeated.
Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealander, has been questioned twice by magistrates, who are also considering investigating a crew member who was on duty when the storm hit.
The victims, including Lynch, were reportedly trapped inside their cabins, desperately attempting to reach air pockets as the yacht sank. Chief Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio stated that the victims were likely asleep when the storm struck, leaving them unable to escape.
Maritime law places full responsibility on the
captain for the safety of the ship and its passengers, which has led to Cutfield being placed under investigation.
However, being under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, nor does it necessarily mean that formal charges will follow.
Questions remain about whether proper precautions were taken to prevent the disaster, with Lead Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano acknowledging that while there were forecasts of strong winds, there was no indication of a tornado.
“There are vessels that can monitor these events and one would have thought the captain had taken precautions,” Cammarano remarked.
Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which manufactured the Bayesian, suggested that the crew may have failed to “close the doors and hatches,” a critical step in ensuring the yacht’s stability.
As authorities continue their investigation, efforts are underway to salvage the wreck intact to allow for a thorough examination, ensuring that justice is served and that the deaths of the victims are not in vain.
