Two crew members from British tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s yacht sinking off the coast of Sicily are under investigation by Italian authorities. James Cutfield, the boat’s skipper, faces inquiries into homicide and shipwreck following the incident that occurred over a week ago. Additionally, ship engineer Tim Parker Eaton and sailor Matthew Griffith are also being investigated. However, this investigation does not imply their guilt or guarantee that authorities will file official charges.
Lynch, along with six other individuals, including his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, lost their lives in the horrific incident. A strong storm battered the 56-meter British-flagged yacht Bayesian, which overturned and sank close to the fishing community of Porticello in the early hours of August 19. Fifteen people made it out of the turmoil, one of them Lynch’s wife, whose firm owned the boat.
Prosecutors questioned 51-year-old New Zealander Cutfield on Monday, however, he declined to comment, claiming his emotional state and the need for further time to formulate a defense. Authorities want to perform autopsies at the Policlinico hospital in Palermo, but first, they must send notices of investigation.
Meanwhile, the boat sank in less than 60 seconds, baffling Italian officials. They have started going through pictures, videos, and recordings from security cameras during the storm’s night. However, they caution that recovering the wreckage may be necessary for a thorough inquiry.
The casualties include Recaldo Thomas, the yacht’s cook; Jonathan Bloomer, the bank head of Morgan Stanley International; his wife, Judy; and Chris Morvillo, a lawyer for Clifford Chance, along with his wife, Neda, and their daughter. The focus of attention is still on British tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s boat sinking and the unresolved issues surrounding this nautical tragedy, as investigations are ongoing.
