Italian authorities have expanded their investigation into the tragic sinking of the Bayesian yacht to include two additional crew members alongside the captain.
According to BBC, the investigation now encompasses ship engineer Tim Parker Eaton and sailor Matthew Griffith, in addition to the previously implicated captain, James Cutfield. The incident, which occurred off the coast of northern Sicily on August 19, claimed the lives of seven people, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch.
Flying a British flag, the 56-meter (184-foot) yacht sank rapidly during a pre-dawn storm while anchored near the Sicilian coast. The sudden and catastrophic nature of the sinking has left naval experts perplexed, as vessels of the Bayesian's caliber, built by the renowned Italian yacht builder Perini, are typically expected to withstand such weather conditions.
Captain James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealand national, was initially placed under investigation for manslaughter and causing the shipwreck. During questioning on Tuesday, Cutfield exercised his right to remain silent.
His lawyer, Giovanni Rizzuti, explained that the captain's decision was due to his exhausted state and the need for more time to gather crucial information for their defense.
The inclusion of Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffith in the investigation is based on their specific roles during the incident. Eaton was responsible for securing the yacht's engine room and operational systems while Griffith was on watch duty on the night of the disaster.
Giovanni Costantino, the head of the company that built the Bayesian, shared his thoughts on the incident with the BBC. He believes that a series of errors likely contributed to the yacht's sinking. Costantino stated:
At the back of the boat, a hatch must have been left open, but also perhaps a side entrance for water to have poured inside. Before the storm, the captain should have closed every opening, lifted anchor, turned on the engine, pointed into the wind and lowered the keel. That would have stabilised the vessel, they would have been able to traverse the storm and continue their cruise in comfort.
Costantino further explained that these actions would have stabilized the vessel, allowing it to navigate through the storm safely. The keel, a large fin-like structure on the boat's base, plays a crucial role in maintaining stability during adverse weather conditions.
The Italian Coast Guard has been actively monitoring the environmental impact at the site of the sinking. Their primary concern is preventing potential hydrocarbon spills from the hull of the Bayesian, which currently rests on its right side at a depth of approximately 50 meters (164 feet).
As of Wednesday, the Coast Guard reported that there were no leaks from the yacht's tanks and no traces of oil pollution in the surrounding waters. This ongoing monitoring is crucial to mitigate any potential environmental damage resulting from the incident.
Prosecutors based in Termini Imerese, near Palermo, have indicated that their investigation will be extensive and will likely require the salvage of the wreckage. This process is expected to provide valuable insights into the cause of the rapid sinking and help determine if any negligence or equipment failure contributed to the tragedy.
The investigation into the Bayesian yacht sinking continues to evolve as authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. With the expansion of the inquiry to include additional crew members, investigators hope to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that led to the loss of seven lives. The maritime community and the families of those affected await further developments as the investigation progresses and efforts to salvage the wreckage are considered.
