Yacht Crew Recounts Harrowing Moments of Sinking Off Sicily

Monday 02 September 2024 - 12:00

Crew members aboard Mike Lynch's yacht have shared their accounts of the fateful night when a storm capsized the vessel off the coast of Sicily, leading to the tragic deaths of the British tech tycoon and six others. The incident, which occurred two weeks ago, has left investigators searching for answers as to what caused the rapid sinking of the Bayesian.

Matthew Griffiths, who was on watch duty during the disaster, recounted the events to Italian news agency Ansa. He described how the crew fought valiantly to save the passengers as the yacht was overwhelmed by the storm. "I woke up the captain when the wind was at 20 knots (23 mph). He gave orders to wake everyone else," Griffiths said.

The Bayesian, anchored off the Sicilian port of Porticello, tilted dramatically, throwing crew members into the water. Despite the chaos, they managed to rescue several passengers, including Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter. In total, 15 people survived the wreck.

Griffiths, along with the boat’s captain James Cutfield and ship engineer Tim Parker Eaton, are currently under investigation by Italian authorities for potential manslaughter and shipwreck. Being investigated does not imply guilt and does not necessarily lead to formal charges.

Cutfield, who exercised his right to remain silent during questioning, had previously given a similar account to investigators, according to reports by Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera. He described how the boat tilted by 45 degrees and suddenly fell completely to the right.

Parker Eaton, who had not previously commented on the investigation, stated that all doors and hatches were closed when the storm hit, except for one giving access to the engine room. This door, located on the opposite side of the tilt, was not a factor in the sinking, he asserted.

Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano suggested that the vessel was likely hit by a "downburst," a very strong downward wind. The sinking has puzzled naval experts, who noted that a vessel like the Bayesian, built by Italian high-end yacht manufacturer Perini, should have withstood the storm and not sunk as quickly as it did.

The investigation, led by prosecutors in the town of Termini Imerese near Palermo, is expected to take time, as the wreck has yet to be salvaged from the sea. The complex nature of the incident and the need for thorough analysis have added to the intrigue surrounding the tragedy.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the precise sequence of events and the factors that led to the rapid sinking of the Bayesian. The crew's accounts provide valuable insights, but the full picture is yet to emerge. The maritime community and the families of the victims await answers, hoping that the investigation will shed light on this tragic event.