Rome (AP) - The captain of a superyacht that sank during a storm off Sicily last week, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven individuals, declined to answer prosecutors' questions during his third round of questioning. The 51-year-old New Zealand national, James Cutfield, is facing potential charges of manslaughter and culpable shipwreck in connection with the incident.
According to Cutfield's lawyer, the captain chose to remain silent during the interrogation, exercising his legal right. The legal team representing Cutfield has just been appointed and is currently formulating a defense strategy.
The yacht, named The Bayesian, was a 56-meter British-flagged luxury vessel that sank near the Mediterranean island in southern Italy. Among the victims were British tech magnate Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and five others. The crew managed to rescue most individuals on board, with the exception of the chef, while six passengers were tragically trapped in the hull.
Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio is leading the investigation and has stated that all potential factors contributing to the incident will be thoroughly examined. This includes assessing the responsibilities of the captain, crew members, supervisors, and the yacht's manufacturer, Italian shipyard Perini Navi.
Investigators are particularly interested in understanding how a vessel that was deemed 'unsinkable' by its manufacturer ended up sinking during the storm, while a nearby sailboat remained relatively unscathed. The prosecutors are considering the possibility that the sinking may have been caused by a 'downburst,' a sudden and powerful localized wind that can result from a thunderstorm and spread rapidly upon reaching the ground.
The tragic event has raised questions about the safety measures in place on luxury yachts and the importance of thorough inspections and maintenance to prevent such disasters in the future.
