The captain of a luxury yacht that sank during a storm off Sicily last week, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven individuals, declined to answer prosecutors’ inquiries on Tuesday, as stated by his attorney. James Cutfield, a New Zealand citizen, is currently under investigation for potential manslaughter and culpable shipwreck offenses following the incident. This was his third session of questioning with the Termini Imerese prosecutors.
According to lawyer Aldo Mordiglia, Cutfield opted to invoke his right to silence during the interrogation. Cutfield’s legal team has recently been appointed and requires time to develop a defense strategy before providing more information.
Cutfield was one of the 15 survivors from the yacht sinking on August 19, which led to the passing of British entrepreneur Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and five others. The investigation led by Chief Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio aims to assess all potential liabilities, including those of the captain, the crew, supervisors, and the yacht’s manufacturer.
The British-flagged luxury yacht, called The Bayesian, sank near the island of Sicily. Experts are particularly interested in understanding why a supposedly “unsinkable” vessel, manufactured by the Italian shipyard Perini Navi, tragically sank while a nearby sailboat escaped severe damage.
Investigators are exploring the possibility of a “downburst,” a rapid and powerful wind descending from a storm, that may have caused the swift sinking of the yacht. Most of the crew was rescued, except for the chef, whereas six passengers were trapped inside the hull and did not survive.
