The silence of a superyacht captain embroiled in an investigation into the vessel’s sinking off the coast of Sicily is hindering the progress of the case.
At a Glance
- The captain of a superyacht that sank off Sicily, resulting in seven deaths, chose not to respond to prosecutors’ questions.
- The captain, James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealander, is under investigation for possible manslaughter and shipwreck charges.
- The superyacht’s sinking led to the deaths of British tech magnate Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and five others.
- Investigators aim to understand how the yacht sank rapidly during a storm, while a nearby sailboat remained unaffected.
Captain’s Silence Raises Questions
James Cutfield, the captain of a superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily on August 19, has declined to answer questions from prosecutors. His attorney, Giovanni Rizzuti, confirmed the captain’s decision, citing Cutfield’s exhaustion and the need for more time to gather relevant data. The 51-year-old New Zealander is currently under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges.
Such a stance, although legally permissible, complicates the inquiry into the sinking, which claimed seven lives, including British tech billionaire Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. Lynch had invited close friends and colleagues aboard to celebrate a recent legal victory over fraud charges.
Investigative Challenges
Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio is spearheading the investigation, focusing on the responsibilities of the captain, crew, supervisors, and the yacht’s manufacturer. The yacht, named The Bayesian, was a 56-meter British-flagged luxury vessel built by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, which had deemed it “unsinkable.”
Cutfield’s silence hampers efforts to piece together the sequence of events that led to the yacht’s rapid sinking during a storm, while a nearby sailboat remained largely unaffected. The investigation will need to include salvaging the wreck, which lies approximately 160 feet underwater.
The captain and engineer of the superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily, killing British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, along with five other people, have reportedly been placed under investigation by Italian prosecutors. https://t.co/xgKonT8uFl
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 28, 2024
Possible Causes
Prosecutors have suggested that the tragic event may have been caused by a “downburst,” a powerful localized wind from a thunderstorm. However, further investigation is needed, particularly regarding the engineer’s actions and the yacht’s security systems. Tim Parker Eaton, the ship engineer, and sailor Matthew Griffith are also under scrutiny.
Franco Romani, a nautical architect involved in designing the yacht, commented, “The Bayesian was built to go to sea in any weather.” Experts are discussing whether open hatches and doors, combined with the large mast, contributed to water entering the yacht quickly and causing it to capsize.
Sam Jefferson, a sailing expert, emphasized, “I imagine all the doors were open because it was hot, so there were enough hatches and doors open that it filled with water very quickly and sank like that. The reason it got pinned over so hard was because the mast is huge. It acted almost like a sail. It’s all speculation, but that’s the only logical explanation.”
“Mr. Jefferson told the PA news agency: ‘I would have said that the boat got hit very hard by the wind, it was pinned over on its side. I imagine all the doors were open because it was hot, so there were enough hatches and doors open that it filled with water very quickly and sank like that. The reason it got pinned over so hard was because the mast is huge. It acted almost like a sail. (It) pushed the boat hard over on its side. (The boat) filled with water before it could right. This is all speculation, but that’s the only logical explanation,’” said Sam Jefferson.
The Way Forward
The captain’s silence, while within his rights, prolongs the grief and speculation surrounding the incident. The absence of firsthand testimony makes it difficult for authorities to establish a clear narrative. The tragedy highlights the human cost of maritime disasters and the importance of thorough and transparent investigations.
“The captain exercised his right to remain silent for two fundamental reasons,” attorney Giovanni Rizzuti stated, “First, he’s very worn out. Second, we were appointed only on Monday and for a thorough and correct defense case, we need to acquire a set of data that at the moment we don’t have.”
The grieving families of the victims, along with investigators, continue to seek answers. The survivors, including Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares and 14 others, have shared their harrowing experiences but have yet to shed light on the exact causes of the sinking. As the investigation continues, the hope is that the salvage of the wreckage will bring some clarity and justice to those affected.
