Captain James Cutfield, the captain of the superyacht Bayesian, is under investigation for possible manslaughter and shipwreck after the yacht sank off the coast of Sicily, killing seven people. The investigation is focusing on whether the crew underestimated the storm and left a hatch open, causing the rapid sinking.
The 183-foot yacht, built by Perini Navi, capsized and sank within minutes after being hit by a sudden downburst, a localized powerful wind. Among the victims were British billionaire Mike Lynch, his daughter, chef Recaldo Thomas, Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer, and Clifford Chance lawyer Christopher Morvillo.
Prosecutors are also looking into the possible negligence of the captain, crew, and manufacturer. While the yacht's manufacturer claims it was unsinkable, experts warn that the weather conditions at the time of the accident remain unclear.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining underwater footage of the wreck and conducting interviews with witnesses and crew members. The captain, initially questioned as a witness, is now considered a suspect.
Stephen Edwards, a former captain of the yacht, defends Captain Cutfield, stating that the yacht was operating outside its normal conditions.
