Investigation of captain launched after superyacht sinks off Sicily, killing 7

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE SUDDEN SINKING OF A SUPERYACHT OFF SICILY’S COAST – THAT KILLED SEVEN PEOPLE — INCLUDING BRITISH TECH BILLIONAIRE MIKE LYNCH AND HIS DAUGHTER – HAS SPARKED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAPTAIN’S ACTIONS.

ITALIAN PROSECUTORS HAVE LAUNCHED A PROBE INTO JAMES CUTFIELD, THE 51-YEAR-OLD NEW ZEALAND CAPTAIN OF THE YACHT.

CUTFIELD IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR MANSLAUGHTER AND SHIPWRECK UNDER MARITIME LAW – WHICH GIVES A CAPTAIN FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHIP, CREW, AND ALL ON BOARD, PLACING THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS AND CREW UNDER INTENSE SCRUTINY. 

CAPTAIN CUTFIELD HAS FACED TWO ROUNDS OF QUESTIONING, WITH INVESTIGATORS FOCUSING ON THE POSITION OF THE KEEL, THE STATUS OF THE HATCH, AND THE TIMING OF THE ALARM RAISED AS WEATHER CONDITIONS DETERIORATED.

AUTOPSIES ARE PENDING – AND PROSECUTORS COULD ALSO SEEK HOMICIDE CHARGES 

THE SHIP SUCCUMBED TO A ‘TORNADIC WATERSPOUT’ IN JUST 60 SECONDS – AND SANK 164 FEET BELOW THE SURFACE – DESPITE BEING DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

FIFTEEN OF THE TWENTY-TWO PEOPLE ABOARD THE YACHT MANAGED TO ESCAPE.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR…