Crew Member of Sunken Yacht Recalls Overboard Ordeal

A crew member aboard Mike Lynch’s luxury yacht, the Bayesian, shared the harrowing experience of the vessel sinking off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, leading to the tragic deaths of Lynch and six others. Matthew Griffiths, on watch duty during the incident, described the intense struggle to save passengers as the yacht capsized in a storm on August 19, 2024. Alerting the captain, James Cutfield, when wind speeds hit 20 knots, Griffiths and the crew made heroic efforts to rescue passengers, ultimately walking on the tilted boat’s walls to save those trapped.

Italian authorities are investigating Cutfield, Griffiths, and ship engineer Tim Parker Eaton for possible manslaughter and shipwreck charges. As the investigation unfolds, it is important to note that these allegations do not imply guilt, and formal charges are pending further examination. The sudden sinkage of the Bayesian, a vessel known for its quality, has puzzled naval experts, with speculations suggesting that a downburst wind could have been a contributing factor to the tragedy.

The public prosecutor’s office in Termini Imerese, near Palermo, is looking into potential causes of the accident, focusing on the strong downward wind’s role in the yacht’s sinking. Despite ongoing investigations, the yacht remains submerged at sea, where seven lives, including Lynch’s daughter Hannah, were lost. Lynch, the founder of Autonomy, was celebrating his recent acquittal with loved ones on the yacht, adding a tragic note to the incident. It is expected that further details will emerge as the investigation progresses.

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