ROME, Italy – The captain of a luxury yacht that tragically sank off the coast of Sicily, claiming the lives of seven individuals, refused to answer questions from prosecutors during his third round of questioning. James Cutfield, a New Zealand national, is facing potential charges of manslaughter and culpable shipwreck in connection with the incident. His lawyer stated that Cutfield exercised his right to remain silent, as the legal team begins to develop a defense strategy.
Cutfield was among the survivors of the yacht sinking, which resulted in the loss of prominent British tech magnate Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and five others. The investigation into the sinking, led by chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio, aims to determine the extent of responsibility held by various parties, including the captain, crew members, supervisors, and the yacht’s manufacturer.
The British-flagged luxury yacht, known as the Bayesian, sank near Sicily in southern Italy, prompting questions about its supposed unsinkable nature. Italian shipyard Perini Navi, the manufacturer, faces scrutiny as investigators seek to understand how a vessel considered unsinkable succumbed to the sea while a nearby sailboat remained relatively unscathed. Prosecutors suspect that a rapid and powerful wind event, possibly a downburst, contributed to the tragedy.
Despite efforts to rescue the crew, the yacht’s chef perished in the sinking. Tragically, six passengers were trapped within the hull as the ship went down swiftly. The investigation into this devastating maritime incident continues as authorities delve into the circumstances surrounding the yacht’s demise, seeking answers and accountability for the lives lost.