Captain of Mike Lynch’s yacht under investigation for manslaughter
James Cutfield is asked to appoint a lawyer after prosecutors question him a second time over sinking of Bayesian
Investigation Escalates in Luxury Yacht Sinking Case
Following the tragic sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian in Sicily, killing seven people including tech magnate Mike Lynch, the captain, James Cutfield, has been placed under investigation on charges of manslaughter and shipwreck.
During a second round of interrogation by prosecutors, Cutfield was asked to appoint a lawyer. Italian law requires such notifications before autopsies can be performed on the seven victims, which will be conducted at the Policlinico hospital in Palermo.
While being under investigation does not imply guilt or guarantee formal charges, Cutfield may not be the sole focus of the probe. Surviving passengers, including Lynch's wife Angela Bacares, have left Sicily, but crew members remain and could face further questioning.
Prosecutors are meticulously examining video and photographic evidence collected from local residents and surveillance cameras to reconstruct the events leading to the disaster.
Experts remain perplexed by how the Bayesian sank so swiftly, within 60 seconds. Investigators suspect that the crew misjudged the severity of the storm and left a hatch open, allowing waves to flood the vessel.
Recovering the wreckage, currently located 50 meters deep in Porticello Bay, is crucial for a thorough investigation. However, work is unlikely to commence until October. Authorities have expressed the importance of salvaging the vessel for the benefit of the owners and managers.
Officials speculate that victims who perished were likely asleep, while survivors had remained awake. Among the deceased, besides Lynch and his daughter, were the yacht's chef, a Morgan Stanley International bank chair, and two lawyers.
An inquiry by the UK government's Marine Accident Investigation Branch is underway to assist insurance companies and lawyers representing victims in gathering information.
Industry experts emphasize that the incident is unprecedented in its suddenness, vessel size, and swift sinking, but valuable lessons will undoubtedly be learned as a result.
Following the tragic sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian in Sicily, killing seven people including tech magnate Mike Lynch, the captain, James Cutfield, has been placed under investigation on charges of manslaughter and shipwreck.
During a second round of interrogation by prosecutors, Cutfield was asked to appoint a lawyer. Italian law requires such notifications before autopsies can be performed on the seven victims, which will be conducted at the Policlinico hospital in Palermo.
While being under investigation does not imply guilt or guarantee formal charges, Cutfield may not be the sole focus of the probe. Surviving passengers, including Lynch's wife Angela Bacares, have left Sicily, but crew members remain and could face further questioning.
Prosecutors are meticulously examining video and photographic evidence collected from local residents and surveillance cameras to reconstruct the events leading to the disaster.
Experts remain perplexed by how the Bayesian sank so swiftly, within 60 seconds. Investigators suspect that the crew misjudged the severity of the storm and left a hatch open, allowing waves to flood the vessel.
Recovering the wreckage, currently located 50 meters deep in Porticello Bay, is crucial for a thorough investigation. However, work is unlikely to commence until October. Authorities have expressed the importance of salvaging the vessel for the benefit of the owners and managers.
Officials speculate that victims who perished were likely asleep, while survivors had remained awake. Among the deceased, besides Lynch and his daughter, were the yacht's chef, a Morgan Stanley International bank chair, and two lawyers.
An inquiry by the UK government's Marine Accident Investigation Branch is underway to assist insurance companies and lawyers representing victims in gathering information.
Industry experts emphasize that the incident is unprecedented in its suddenness, vessel size, and swift sinking, but valuable lessons will undoubtedly be learned as a result.