The captain of Mike Lynch’s yacht, James Cutfield, has left Sicily on a private jet, just 10 days after the tragic sinking of the vessel that resulted in the death of the British tech tycoon and six others. The incident has raised numerous questions and led to an ongoing investigation.

Key Takeaways

• James Cutfield, the captain of the yacht, departed from Palermo on a private jet.
• The yacht, named Bayesian, sank off the coast of Sicily, killing seven people including Mike Lynch.
• Cutfield is under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck but has not been formally charged.
• Two other crew members are also under investigation.
• The cause of the rapid sinking remains a mystery to naval experts.

Departure from Sicily

James Cutfield, the New Zealand-born captain of the ill-fated yacht Bayesian, left the Sicilian capital of Palermo on Thursday. The destination of his private jet remains unknown. Cutfield resides with his wife in Palma, located on the Spanish island of Mallorca.

Ongoing Investigation

Earlier this week, Cutfield was placed under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck. He declined to answer questions from prosecutors on Tuesday. Two other crew members were also placed under investigation on Wednesday. It is important to note that being under investigation does not imply guilt, nor does it mean that formal charges will necessarily follow.

Legal Obligations

Those under investigation are not required to stay in Italy but must nominate lawyers to ensure that authorities can maintain contact with them. This legal stipulation allows the investigation to proceed without the physical presence of the individuals involved.

The Sinking of Bayesian

The British-flagged Bayesian, a 56-meter-long (184-foot) yacht, capsized and sank on August 19. The vessel went down within minutes after being struck by a pre-dawn storm while anchored off northern Sicily. The rapid sinking has puzzled naval marine experts, who believe that a yacht of Bayesian’s caliber, built by the renowned Italian manufacturer Perini, should have withstood the storm and not sunk as quickly as it did.

Expert Opinions

Naval experts are baffled by the incident, as the Bayesian was considered a high-end yacht designed to endure severe weather conditions. The speed at which the yacht sank has led to various speculations, but no concrete conclusions have been drawn yet.

Conclusion

As the investigation continues, the departure of James Cutfield from Sicily adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate case. The maritime community and the public await further developments to understand the true cause behind the tragic sinking of the Bayesian.

Sources

• Captain of Mike Lynch’s yacht leaves Sicily on private jet | Reuters, Reuters.
• Captain of Mike Lynch’s yacht leaves Sicily on private jet, AOL.com.
• Captain of Mike Lynch’s yacht leaves Sicily on private jet | 1330 & 101.5 WHBL, 1330 & 101.5 WHBL.
• Captain of Mike Lynch’s yacht leaves Sicily on private jet | The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO, KFGO.
• Captain of Mike Lynch’s yacht leaves Sicily on private jet | U.S. & World | gazette.com, Colorado Springs Gazette.