Trio of crew members examined into the sinking of a Bayesian yacht
The rapid sinking of the Bayesian has puzzled naval experts, who believe that a yacht of its quality, built by the renowned Italian shipbuilder Perini, should have been able to withstand the storm.
Italian authorities have expanded their investigation into the deaths of seven people aboard the yacht Bayesian, which sank off the coast of northern Sicily on 19 August, to include two additional crew members alongside the captain, according to Italian news agencies.
The yacht, a 56-meter (184-foot) vessel flying a British flag, went down during a pre-dawn storm, resulting in the deaths of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others.
The investigation now also involves ship engineer Tim Parker Eaton and sailor Matthew Griffith. It is important to note that being investigated is a procedural step and does not necessarily imply charges.
The boat sank within minutes while anchored off the northern coast of Sicily during the storm.
On Monday, the yacht's captain, 51-year-old New Zealand national James Cutfield, was placed under investigation for manslaughter and causing the shipwreck.
However, during questioning on Tuesday, Captain Cutfield exercised his right to remain silent, citing exhaustion and the need for his legal team to gather more information.
Tim Parker Eaton was reportedly responsible for securing the yacht's engine room and operational systems, while Matthew Griffith was on watch duty the night of the disaster.
The rapid sinking of the Bayesian has puzzled naval experts, who believe that a yacht of its quality, built by the renowned Italian shipbuilder Perini, should have been able to withstand the storm.
Prosecutors in Termini Imerese, near Palermo, have indicated that the investigation will be extensive and will involve the salvage of the wreckage. Giovanni Costantino, head of the company that built the Bayesian, expressed his belief that multiple errors were made on board.
He suggested that an open hatch or side entrance may have allowed water to flood the vessel, and that the captain should have taken specific measures to stabilize the yacht during the storm.
The Bayesian now lies on its right side at a depth of about 50 meters (164 feet).
The Italian Coast Guard is conducting environmental monitoring at the site to prevent potential hydrocarbon spills from the wreck.
As of Wednesday, there have been no leaks from the fuel tanks, and no signs of oil pollution have been detected, according to a Coast Guard statement.
