August 26th 2024.
James Cutfield, a 51-year-old man from New Zealand, is currently under investigation for possible charges of manslaughter and shipwreck. The incident in question involves the sinking of the superyacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily last week, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven individuals.
According to reports from Italian newspapers La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, Cutfield is the captain of the Bayesian and is being looked into by Italian prosecutors for his role in the incident. Among those who lost their lives were British tech billionaire Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, as well as other passengers such as Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer and Mr. Lynch's lawyer Chris Morvillo.
Cutfield has been questioned by magistrates twice now, with the latest interrogation lasting over two hours. The investigation may also extend to a crew member who was on duty during the storm and survived. The Bayesian, a 56-meter-long superyacht flying the British flag, was carrying a total of 22 people when it capsized and sank in the midst of a powerful storm while anchored off the northern coast of Sicily.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, it has been revealed that 15 individuals managed to survive, including Lynch's wife who owns the company that owned the Bayesian. While it is believed that the yacht was caught in a sudden and unexpected storm, the head of the public prosecutor's office of Termini Imerese, Ambrogio Cartosio, stated on Saturday that there is a possibility of criminal charges for multiple manslaughter and negligence leading to a shipwreck.
As per maritime law, the captain holds full responsibility for the safety of the ship, crew, and all passengers on board. Cutfield and the other eight surviving crew members have not yet made any public statements about the incident.
In an interview with daily newspaper La Stampa, Franco Romani, a nautical architect who was part of the team that designed the Bayesian, stated that the yacht was built to withstand any weather conditions. However, he also suggested that the crew may have underestimated the severity of the storm and failed to properly secure all openings and remove the anchor before it hit.
The tragic event has sparked a wave of speculation and discussion, with many trying to piece together the events that led to the sinking of the luxury yacht. Stay updated on the latest news by following The Agency on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for daily push alerts to have our articles delivered straight to your device.
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