Prosecutors investigate role of three Bayesian crew members

Italian prosecutors have launched investigations into two more crew members who survived the sinking of superyacht Bayesian. It was previously announced that the role of the captain is being investigated.

They include ship’s engineer Tim Parker Eaton, news agency ANSA reports. The role of watchman Matthew Griffith, who is said to have been on watch on the night of the incident, is also being looked into. Authorities are investigating whether Eaton can be held responsible for the deaths of sailors due to possible negligence. He may have blundered by failing to activate safety systems, the news agency reports.
Authorities are also looking into the role of captain James Cutfield. He previously refused to answer questions from prosecutors. The New Zealander invoked his right to remain silent, according to his lawyer because he is exhausted and because his defence is still waiting for additional information. The fact that prosecutors are investigating crew members does not automatically mean they will be criminally prosecuted.

Testimonies

Matthew Griffiths, who was on guard duty on the night of the disaster a fortnight ago, told investigators that crew members did everything they could to save those on board the Bayesian, according to Italian news agency Ansa.
“I woke up the captain when the wind was 20 knots (23 mph/37 kph). He gave the order to wake everyone up,” Griffiths said. “The ship tipped over and we were thrown into the water. Then we managed to get back up and tried to rescue those we could,” he added, describing the events in the early hours of 19 August, when the Bayesian was anchored off the Sicilian port of Porticello.
“We ran over the side of the boat. We rescued who we could, Cutfield also rescued the little girl and her mother,” he said, referring to passenger Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter. In total, there were 15 survivors from the wreck.
Earlier, Cutfield gave a description similar to Griffiths’ to investigators, according to comments reported Sunday by Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera.
Cutfield said the boat leaned over 45 degrees and remained in that position for some time, then suddenly fell completely to the right, the newspaper reported.
Parker Eaton had not yet commented on the investigation. Il Corriere quoted him on Sunday as saying that all doors and hatches were closed when the storm hit the boat, except for one door that gave access to the engine room. That door was on the side opposite the overturn and so could not have been a factor that caused the sinking, he said.

Downburst

Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano said last week that the vessel had most likely been hit by a “downburst”, a very strong downwind.
They said a ship like the Bayesian, built by Italian yacht manufacturer Perini, should have weathered the storm and at least not sunk so quickly.
Prosecutors in the city of Termini Imerese, near Palermo, said their investigation will take time because the wreckage has yet to be salvaged from the sea.

The sinking of the luxury yacht led to puzzled reactions from experts. These wondered how the vessel could sink so quickly. The wreck of the Bayesian has yet to be salvaged. It lies at a depth of about 50 metres on the seabed.

Sources: MarineLink, Schuttevaer

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