Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation into the captain of a superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily last week, leading to the tragic deaths of seven people. The 51-year-old New Zealand national, James Cutfield, is being scrutinized for potential manslaughter and culpable shipwreck, according to Italian media reports.
It’s important to note that under Italian law, being placed under investigation doesn’t imply guilt and doesn’t automatically result in criminal charges. However, this investigation suggests that authorities are looking into the possibility of negligence on the captain’s part during the storm.
The devastating incident claimed the lives of British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, along with five others. While 15 individuals, including the captain, survived the sinking, six passengers were trapped in the hull, and the chef was also lost.
The 56-meter (184-foot) luxury yacht, known as the ‘Bayesian,’ sank near the Mediterranean island last Monday. Prosecutors have suggested that the sinking may have been caused by a “downburst,” a sudden and powerful downdraft of wind associated with thunderstorms. This phenomenon can create extremely rapid and dangerous conditions for vessels at sea.
The investigation will encompass a thorough examination of all potential elements of responsibility, including the captain’s actions, the crew’s conduct, the role of those responsible for supervision, and even the yacht’s manufacturer. Prosecutors in Termini Imerese are working diligently to uncover the truth behind this tragic maritime accident.
