Mike Lynch’s sunken superyacht, Captain of Bayesian, under Italy probe

Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation into the captain of the superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily last week during a storm. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others.

The captain, 51-year-old James Cutfield from New Zealand, is being investigated for manslaughter and shipwreck, according to a judicial source. This confirmation follows earlier reports from Italian media.

In Italy, being placed under investigation does not imply guilt, nor does it guarantee that formal charges will follow. Authorities need to send notices to individuals under investigation before conducting autopsies on the deceased.

The investigation was initiated after Cutfield was questioned for the second time. So far, attempts by the media to reach Cutfield for comments have been unsuccessful.

It remains uncertain whether any other crew members or individuals related to the incident will also face investigations alongside the captain.

The British-flagged yacht, named Bayesian, measured 184 feet in length and was carrying a total of 22 individuals when it capsized amidst a sudden storm while anchored off northern Sicily.

Six of the occupants were confirmed dead several days after the incident, including Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, and Jonathan Bloomer, the non-executive chairman of Morgan Stanley International, along with his wife Judy. Other victims included Chris Morvillo, a lawyer for the firm Clifford Chance, and his wife, Neda. Additionally, the ship’s cook, Ricaldo Thomas, was also found deceased shortly after the vessel sank.

Fifteen people managed to survive the incident, including Lynch’s wife, whose business owned the Bayesian.

Although the yacht was subjected to an unexpected meteorological occurrence, the head prosecutor of Termini Imerese, Ambrogio Cartosio, indicated on Saturday that the possibility of multiple manslaughter charges and negligence leading to a shipwreck could be considered.

Maritime law places full responsibility on the captain for the ship, crew, and all passengers. Thus, the captain and his surviving crew members have yet to publicly comment on the disaster.

Franco Romani, a nautical architect who participated in the yacht’s design, spoke about the vessel in an interview, stating, “The Bayesian was built to navigate in any weather.” He suggested that the yacht might have taken on water through a side hatch that had been inadvertently left open.

This investigation underscores the complexities surrounding maritime regulations, particularly concerning the responsibilities of a ship’s captain during emergencies. As this case unfolds, the maritime community will be watching closely to understand the implications for maritime safety standards and accountability.

The ongoing investigation into the sinking of the Bayesian will continue to develop, and further details are likely to emerge as authorities conduct a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.