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‘We didn’t see it coming’ – Kiwi captain of doomed superyacht

James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealander and experienced seafarer, was at the helm of the £30 million superyacht Bayesian when it capsized and sank off the coast of Sicily during a sudden storm.

The incident, which occurred just before 5 a.m., claimed the life of the ship’s chef and left six passengers, including British billionaire Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, missing. Cutfield, who survived the tragedy and is now recovering in a hospital, described the event as completely unforeseen, saying, “We didn’t see it coming.”

Investigations are currently underway to determine whether open hatches left by the crew contributed to the rapid sinking of the luxury yacht. Divers continue to search the wreckage, which lies 164 feet below the surface, amid hopes that some of the missing passengers may still be alive in air pockets within the ship.

However, the search is challenging, with rescue teams facing obstructions from debris and limited underwater visibility. The yacht was struck by a violent waterspout, which is believed to have snapped its mast, causing it to sink within minutes.

The investigation into the tragedy is focusing on whether proper safety measures were taken before the storm, particularly regarding the closure of watertight doors and hatches.

Experts suggest that the open hatches may have allowed water to flood the vessel rapidly, leading to its swift demise. The Italian coastguard, alongside British investigators, is working to determine the exact cause of the sinking, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future.

Survivors of the tragedy, including Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares and other crew members, have recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the sinking. Bacares, who sustained injuries during the escape, described how the boat began to tilt just before the storm hit, leading to chaos on board. As the search for the missing continues, the hopes of finding them alive are diminishing.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. Third: this isn’t the first time an “anomalous” waterspout has hit a vessel carrying high-profile individuals. The last time was last year on Lake Maggiore, where four people died. It was later revealed that two of the victims were part of the Italian intelligence services, while another worked for the Israeli Mossad. Almost all the passengers on that boat were employees or former employees of international espionage agencies.

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