Prosecutors in Italy are currently investigating James Cutfield, the captain of the superyacht Bayesian, which tragically sank off Sicily on August 19, leading to the deaths of seven people. Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealand national, survived the disaster along with 14 others. The investigation is exploring possible charges against him, including manslaughter and culpable shipwreck, as confirmed by his lawyer Aldo Mordiglia.
Cutfield has already been questioned by authorities, and further questioning is scheduled. Mordiglia, one of Cutfield’s two defense attorneys, has chosen not to reveal specific defense strategies at this time. It is important to note that being under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt or guarantee that formal charges will be filed.
Italian Prosecutors Investigate Captain of Sinking Superyacht Bayesian After Deadly Incident Off Sicily
Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio has stated that the investigation will be comprehensive, examining not only the captain’s actions but also those of the crew, supervisors, and the yacht’s manufacturer, Perini Navi. This thorough approach is intended to uncover all factors contributing to the disaster.
The yacht, a 56-meter British-flagged luxury vessel, sank rapidly near the southern Italian island of Sicily. Investigators are particularly concerned with why a yacht described as “unsinkable” by its manufacturer failed so catastrophically, while a nearby sailboat remained largely unaffected. A potential cause being considered is a “downburst,” a powerful localized wind from a thunderstorm.
Among those aboard, the crew was rescued, but the chef was not saved, and six passengers were trapped and died in the hull. The investigation will scrutinize these events to understand the circumstances that led to the yacht’s failure despite its safety claims.
