Bayesian superyacht captain 'to leave Italy' after 'refusing to answer questions' as manslaughter probe continues

29 August 2024, 11:06 | Updated: 29 August 2024, 11:22

Captain James Cutfield is set to leave Italy.
Captain James Cutfield is set to leave Italy. Picture: Facebook/Getty/Handout

By Emma Soteriou

The captain of the Bayesian superyacht is said to have plans to leave Italy as police continue their manslaughter probe.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

James Cutfield, 51, is being investigated for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck over the incident.

Seven people died after the superyacht sunk off the coast of Italy last week, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter.

Of the 22 passengers and crew aboard the boat, 15 were rescued, including Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares.

The captain, who lost his passport during the incident, has been given a copy so he can return home to Mallorca with his wife.

He is expected to leave by Friday morning, Italian outlet Giornale Di Sicilia reported.

It comes after he refused to answer questions on the incident in an interview with authorities.

Read more: Two British crew members aboard Bayesian superyacht under investigation as captain 'refuses to answer questions'
Read more:
Captain of Mike Lynch’s yacht 'under investigation for manslaughter'

An Italian fire service dive team returning to port on the fifth day of the search
An Italian fire service dive team returning to port on the fifth day of the search. Picture: Alamy

There is also a probe into two other members of the crew - engineer Tim Parker-Eaton, who was in charge of the engine room aboard the yacht, and sailor Matthew Griffith.

However, the investigations do not imply guilt or mean that formal charges will be brought against any of the three crew members.

Mr Cutfield's lawyers said earlier in the week that he had been "too shaken up" to answer questions from officials.

Aldo Mordiglia told the Times that he had “exercised his right to remain silent”.

“There were two reasons," he said.

"He is understandably very shaken up, and secondly, us lawyers were only appointed yesterday and we need to acquire information we do not have in order to defend him."

Italian Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio
Italian Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio. Picture: Alamy

Speaking in court on Saturday, Ambrogio Cartosio, public prosecutor of nearby town Termini Imerese, said that his office had opened an initial investigation into manslaughter.

He said that "behaviours that were not perfectly in order" may have been behind the number of deaths off the coast of Sicily.

But all lines of inquiry are being considered, he said.

The boat trip was a celebration of Mr Lynch's acquittal in a fraud case in the US.

The businessman, who founded the software giant Autonomy in 1996, was cleared in June of carrying out a massive fraud relating to its 11 billion US dollar (£8.64 billion) sale to US company Hewlett Packard.

A decision on whether to raise the sunken yacht from the seabed is "not on the agenda", but will be in the future, a spokesman from the Italian Coastguard previously said.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

After she was arrested she told detectives the stabbing was “punishment”.

Al Qaida-inspired student who stabbed MP could walk free from prison

Bank Of England In The City Of London

UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April following Trump Tariffs hit - as Reeves brands figures 'disappointing'

Elderly women watching TV in outpatient clinic waiting room in NHS hospital. UK

NHS should ‘tear up the outpatient model’, health service chief executive says

Brian Wilson passed away aged 82.

Surviving Beach Boys pay tribute to songwriter ‘genius’ Brian Wilson

Palestinians carry boxes and bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization approved by Israel, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Controversial aid distributer accuses Hamas of carrying out attack on bus transporting Palestinians

A net balance of 28% of professionals reported seeing the number of sales agreed falling. Sales volumes are generally expected to flatten out rather than fall in the three months ahead, the survey indicated.

House sales tipped to bounce back with 'strongest outlook' since February - but buyer interest still slipping

Supporters of Dignity in Dying celebrate on hearing the result of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.

UK doctor says helping patients die in Australia is a ‘tremendous privilege’ and calls for law change at home

The body of Yair Yaakov, 59, has reportedly been recovered.

Two more hostages recovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, Netanyahu says

There were reports of vehicles being damaged and burned out, stolen cars, motorbikes being used and bricks thrown at officers amid the disorder, Greater Manchester Police said.

Girl, 16, charged with assaulting an emergency worker in Salford after ‘60 masked youths’ clash with police

The affected products include the Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, “Misfits” Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, the FSA said.

'Don't eat them': Brits told to avoid popular American sweets linked to cancer amid 'toxicological concern'

A woman has been arrested after a four-year-old boy was found dead in Dunholme End.

Boy, 4, found dead inside Maidenhead home as police arrest woman on suspicion of murder

Exclusive
Caz Holbrook, 54, said 2023 was a "very stressful" year after her landlord evicted her and her 15-year-old son from their home in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

I was evicted after Liz Truss's budget tanked the economy – my son and I ended up in a beetle-infested flat

St Michael's Church, Mytholmroyd

Village church ordered to silence 'cherished' chiming bells after residents' complaints spark huge row

The Bridgerton actress said she has been left with a concussion and "on edge" - and the incident traumatised her dog.

Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour left 'traumatised' after fighting off phone thief who threatened to 'stab' her

Shopper walking through the aisle of a supermarket.

Deadly disease outbreak linked to 'contaminated' UK supermarket item

Demonstrators gathered outside Stoke Newington Police Station in protest against police in schools, after it emerged that a 15-year-old Black girl ('Child Q') was strip-searched by police at a Hackney school, which is thought to be racially motivated.

Officer who strip-searched black schoolgirl while she was on her period admits failings but denies racist motivation