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Italian Authorities Open Manslaughter Investigation in Yacht Disaster
A prosecutor involved in the inquiry into the sinking said it was “plausible” that crimes were committed during the accident.
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By Emma Bubola and Jeffrey Gettleman
Reporting from Termini Imerese, Sicily
Italian authorities said on Saturday that they had opened a manslaughter investigation into the sinking of the Bayesian luxury yacht, but that they had not yet zeroed in on any potential suspects.
The sleek, $40 million sailing boat went down fast in a storm off Sicily’s coast on Monday morning, killing Michael Lynch, a British tech billionaire; his teenage daughter, Hannah; four of his friends; and one member of the crew. The captain escaped on a lifeboat with 14 others.
On Saturday, Ambrogio Cartosio, the prosecutor in charge of the case, said at a news conference that it was “plausible” crimes were committed during the accident.
“There could be responsibilities of the captain only,” he said. “There could be responsibilities of the whole crew. There could be responsibilities of the boat makers. Or there could be responsibilities of those who were in charge of surveilling the boat.”
Here is what the authorities said on Saturday:
It will be difficult to determine the cause of the sinking until the yacht is brought to the surface and inspected, which could take weeks.
Five bodies were found in the same cabin.
The yacht sank at an angle, with the stern — where the heavy engine is situated — having gone down first.
The captain and the crew, who have been holed up in a Sicilian hotel with other survivors, are allowed to leave Italy. But prosecutors said that they still want to ask them more questions.
The authorities did not perform alcohol or drug tests on the captain or the crew.
The authorities would not comment on whether hatches on the deck had been left open, which would have allowed water to pour in during the yacht’s sinking.
In addition to possible manslaughter charges, the authorities are also investigating the possibility of a negligently caused shipwreck, a crime that carries up to several years in prison upon conviction.
Investigators said they were focusing on why the 184-foot-long Bayesian, which was built in 2008, went down so quickly, especially when other yachts nearby weathered the storm.
Executives at the company that built the boat have said there is nothing faulty with the design of the yacht and have tried to shift the blame to the crew.
At the news conference on Saturday, the authorities were asked why the captain, James Cutfield, an experienced sailor, left the sinking boat while some passengers were still on board.
“The investigations are also focusing on this,” said Raffaele Cammarano, another prosecutor. But he added that the witnesses they had spoken to said that “the event was really, really sudden.”
Some people who were along the Sicilian coast at the time of the sinking described seeing waterspouts, which are vicious funnels of water and wind that sweep across a body of water during thunderstorms. But on Saturday, Italian authorities said they believed it was more likely that a downburst occurred at the time of the accident.
A downburst is a blast of powerful wind that comes surging down from the sky during thunderstorms. The Italian authorities said that extreme weather was “one of the main elements” of their investigation, but added that they were still at the early stages of their inquiry and that they did not want to “play the probability game.”
The rescuers found the bodies of five passengers in one cabin, which was on the left side of yacht. The yacht was found lying on its right side at the bottom of a bay, in about 160 feet of water. The authorities said the passengers who died were most likely trying to flee to the higher side of the boat and were probably sleeping when the accident happened.
The authorities said that they were not certain whether a black box existed and that the hull was still being searched.
Mr. Cartosio would not comment directly on the actions of the crew, but said that it would be “even more painful” if “the sinking was caused by behaviors that were not perfectly in order with the responsibilities that each person must have in the management of navigation.”
But he added that “this is just, in fact, the beginning of an inquiry.”
Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in Rome. More about Emma Bubola
Jeffrey Gettleman is an international correspondent based in London covering global events. He has worked for The Times for more than 20 years. More about Jeffrey Gettleman
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Bayesian yacht captain faces manslaughter probe after deadly sinking in sicily.
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The captain of the luxury Bayesian yacht that sank near Porticello, off the coast of Sicily, last week will face an investigation into multiple counts of manslaughter and negligent shipwreck, the Italian prosecutor’s office announced Monday.
James Cutfield, 51, was the head of crew aboard the 184-foot sailing boat when it capsized in the throes of a ferocious storm last Monday, killing six passengers, including British tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. The yacht’s chef Recaldo Thomas also likely died in the wreck.
The other victims were Morgan Stanley International director Jonathan Bloomer, prominent American lawyer Chris Morvillo, and both of their wives – Judy Bloomer and Neda Morvillo. Chris Morvillo, a partner at Clifford Chance, was involved in successfully defeating the U.S. fraud case against Lynch in June.
Cutfield and 14 other people survived the sinking, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares.
A weather phenomenon known as a waterspout – one of several types of tornadoes – is thought to have capsized the yacht. But Italian authorities are investigating whether the crew’s actions and their handling of the boat contributed to the deadly sinking.
New-Zealand born Cutfield is not in custody, according to Italian prosecutors, but he cannot leave the country while the investigation is ongoing.
Those killed were likely asleep at the time of the storm, a prosecutor said at the weekend, which is why they were unable to escape. On Saturday, the prosecutor and head of the fire brigade recovery team both said five bodies were found in the same room of the ship, which may have meant they were searching for an air pocket while the ship sank.
Investigators warned that the circumstances of the sinking remain largely unclear, including whether there was a black box onboard the ship, and if some of the ship’s hatches were left ajar – which would explain why it sank so rapidly.
Salvage crews are expected to raise the Bayesian – named after the statistical theory on which Lynch made his fortune – in the coming weeks. Under Italian law, the cost of raising and salvaging the ship falls on the ship’s owner.
As Bacares’ company owns the vessel, they must find a salvage company and raise the ship, which is then handed to Italian authorities as part of the investigation, the main prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said on Saturday.
After the yacht is raised, investigators will determine if the hatches were open during the storm, Cartosio added.
Italian prosecutors will also investigate whether the ship’s chief mate was on the bridge when the ship sunk, and if anyone tried to warn the passengers of imminent danger.
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Katara superyacht owned by Qatar royal family arrives in Falmouth
Built by Lurssen in 2010, the superyacht, named 'Katara' is a 124-metre luxury motor vessel
- 21:48, 4 AUG 2020
- Updated 22:29, 4 AUG 2020
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A superyacht reportedly owned by the Qatar royal family - and reportedly worth over £200 million - has arrived in Cornwall.
Built by Lurssen in 2010, the superyacht, named 'Katara' is a 124-metre luxury motor vessel and it has just arrived in Falmouth.
Featuring a helipad and two life rafts on her upper decks, it is speculated that the yacht has a two-deck-high main saloon.
Katara was built for the previous Emir of Qatar, father of the current Emir.
She flies under the Qatari flag and her home port is Doha, according to superyachtfan.com.
The luxurious vessel is reportedly one of the world’s largest yachts, and can travel at a top speed of around 20 knots, but generally cruises at a comfortable 15 .
According to the Super Yacht Fan website, the impressive megayacht has a length of 124 meters (408 ft) - which would make her the 14th largest yacht in the world, says superyachtfan.com .
Katara is set to leave Cornwall's shores on August 6, according to the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners' website.
Just some of the plush amenities aboard the Katara include a lift, helipad, beach club, swimming platform, a gym, spa, on-deck jacuzzi and a swimming pool.
According to Yachtcharterfleet.com , Katara offers accommodation for up to 34 guests, and is also capable of carrying up to 95 crew onboard.
The website says: "The 124.4m custom motor yacht motor yacht 'Katara' was built by Lurssen in Germany at their Lemwerder shipyard, she was delivered to her owner in 2010. The yacht's interior has been designed by Alberto Pinto."
Charterworld.com says: "KATARA motoryacht was built at the German shipyard Lurssen, who are the largest high quality builder of large mega yachts, such as this formerly called project Crystal.
"Her impressive naval architecture was designed by the Lurssen in-house naval architects, with the exterior design by the world renowned designer Espen Oeino.
"Katara megayacht was launched in April 2010. She features a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, carrying the hull number 13656.
"As her name suggests, the motor yacht Katara is flying a Qatar flag."
Also currently docked in Falmouth is The World, a residential cruise ship which has been in the port since May. There are no passengers onboard.
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124m Katara: A Royal Palace at Sea
By Heather Collier
Little is known about Katara, as she has remained shrouded in secrecy for more than a decade. Reportedly built for the Qatari Royal Family, this custom Lürssen superyacht instantly grabbed headlines as one of the largest yachts in the world.
Launched and delivered in 2010, this breath-taking $400 million floating palace is believed to be owned by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir of Qatar, and was designed by Espen Øino , with interior spaces penned by Alberto Pinto.
Katara is rumored to feature a Beach Club with sea-terraces, a heli-pad, a cinema room, a Jacuzzi, several swimming pools, an elevator, an ample number of beauty salons and gyms, an array of jet skis, tenders, underwater lights, and other luxury ammenities.
Due to her lack of outdoor space and visible coverings, a lot of these ammenities are said to be inside the vessel or concealed for the benefit of privacy, with her interiors and specifications not publicly known.
The 7,922-tonne vessel offers more than enough room for those venturing on board, comfortably accommodating up to 34 guests and 95 members of crew, and at 124 metres long, she is said to be longer than a FIFA World Cup football field.
Katara is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Refitted in April of this year, she boasts a robust performance thanks to twin diesel MTU (20V 1163 M94) 20-cylinder 9,925hp engines, and cruises with ultimate stability at 15 knots, reaching a maximum speed of 20 knots.
As her name suggests, she is truly a remarkable 'celebration' of exceptional yacht-building; encapsulating the perfect balance between opulence and sophistication.
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Suspected Body Of Last Missing Person In Bayesian Superyacht Accident Found
T he body suspected to be that of Hannah Lynch , the 18-year-old daughter of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and the final missing person in relation to the sunken Bayesian super yacht , was found on Friday (August 23), Reuters reports.
The body hasn't officially been confirmed to be Hannah Lynch by officials though she was the last passenger unaccounted for after the vessel capsized on Monday (August 19). The body of Mike Lynch, 59, was located on Thursday (August 22), while Hannah was reported to still be missing, after a previous conflicting report claiming both were found earlier in the rescue operation, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to Reuters at the time.
Italian media reports shared prior to Thursday claimed that the tech tycoon and his daughter were already found during rescue operation efforts.
“We would need a crystal ball to know when we’ll be able to find the next body,” said Luca Cari, spokesperson for the fire rescue service.
“It’s very difficult to move inside the wreckage. Moving just one meter can take up to 24 hours,” Cari added.
The body of on-ship chef Ricardo Thomas was the first to be located in relation to the Bayesian vessel. Americans Christopher and Neda Morvillo , as well as Jonathan and Judy Bloomer , were also found dead in the search.
Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares and 14 others, including a 1-year-old, on the yacht at the time managed to escape before the vessel was capsized. Lynch invited the group on his yacht to celebrate his acquittal in a recent major U.S. fraud trial, with guests including lawyers from the firm that represented him, as well as other friends and allies.
The 56-meter Bayesian yacht was struck by a tornado at around 5:00 a.m. local time on Monday when the vessel was anchored about a half mile from the port of Porticello.
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Two bodies found on sunken luxury yacht off coast of Sicily
By Ted Hennessey in Sicily and Josh Payne, PA
A body has been pulled from the water near the site of a sunken luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily as two more missing people were found by divers.
The head of Sicily’s civil protection agency Salvatore Cocina confirmed two bodies had been found in the yacht which sank at around 5am on Monday.
He said there will be an investigation in due course, but the priority was to find those who are still missing.
On Wednesday afternoon, a green body bag was taken back to the port of Porticello where dozens of emergency services staff were waiting.
The Italian Coastguard previously did not rule out the possibility that those missing, including technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, may still be alive, with experts speculating air pockets could have formed as the yacht sank.
Among those also missing are Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.
Inspections of the yacht’s internal hull took place on Wednesday morning.
A team of four British inspectors from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) also arrived in Porticello to look at the site of the sinking.
The MAIB is looking into what happened because the yacht Bayesian was flying a British flag, it is understood.
The Italian Coastguard said the MAIB is not involved in the search for the missing people, and that it has not been requested to assist.
A helicopter was drafted in to help the search effort, as divers from the local fire service were seen entering the water with torches attached to their headgear.
A police boat and divers were also seen entering the water on Wednesday afternoon.
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Yacht, IMO 9562805
- VesselFinder
- Miscellaneous
The current position of KATARA is at West Mediterranean reported 15 mins ago by AIS. The vessel is en route to CALA DE VOLPE, SARDI , sailing at a speed of 0.1 knots and expected to arrive there on Aug 25, 12:12 . The vessel KATARA (IMO 9562805, MMSI 466066000) is a Yacht built in 2010 (14 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Qatar .
Position & Voyage Data
| Predicted ETA | - |
| Distance / Time | - |
| Course / Speed | |
| Current draught | 5.3 m |
| Navigation Status | At anchor |
| Position received | |
| IMO / MMSI | 9562805 / 466066000 |
| Callsign | A7WD |
| Flag | Qatar |
| Length / Beam | 124 / 19 m |
Map position & Weather
Recent port calls, vessel particulars.
| IMO number | 9562805 |
| Vessel Name | KATARA |
| Ship Type | Yacht |
| Flag | Qatar |
| Year of Build | 2010 |
| Length Overall | 124.35 |
| Length BP | |
| Beam | 19.45 |
| Draught | |
| Depth |
| Gross Tonnage | 8010 |
| Net Tonnage | |
| Deadweight | - |
| TEU | - |
| Crude Oil | - |
| Gas ) | - |
| Grain ) | - |
| Bale ) | - |
| Ballast Water ) | |
| Fresh Water ) | - |
| Builder | |
| Place of Build | |
| Hull | |
| Material | |
| Engine Builder |
| Engine Type | |
| Engine Power | |
| Fuel Type | |
| Service Speed | |
| Propeller |
| Registered Owner | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENTS
The yacht sank at an angle, with the stern — where the heavy engine is situated — having gone down first. The captain and the crew, who have been holed up in a Sicilian hotel with other ...
The captain of the luxury Bayesian yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily last week will face an investigation into multiple counts of manslaughter and negligent shipwreck.
The magnificent Katara Yacht is a beacon of unparalleled luxury on the high seas. This colossal vessel was built by the distinguished shipbuilder Lurssen and delivered to her owner in 2010.Designed by Espen Oeino with an interior envisioned by Alberto Pinto, the Katara Yacht is a sight to behold.. Key Takeaways: The Katara Yacht, built by Lurssen and designed by Espen Oeino and Alberto Pinto ...
124m superyacht Katara caught fire today around 11:30 am at Porto Montenegro. According to Vijesti, the fire originated in the engine room of the megayacht.Photo by CDM.meFour vehicles and 15 firefighters managed to extinguish the flames in 15 minutes on one of the largest yachts in the world.
A luxury superyacht sailboat carrying foreign tourists capsized and sank off Sicily in bad weather early on Monday. One body was found, six people were missing and 15 people were rescued, authorities said. Video. Rescuers search for several missing from luxury yacht that sank off Italian coast, AP explains.
One of the largest yachts in the world captured in action as she departed the Bay of St Tropez this summer.KATARA yacht specifications: https://www.superyach...
Inside the Qatari royal family's US$400 million superyacht: the 124-metre luxury Katara comes with a helipad, pools and a beach club - and is even longer than a Fifa World Cup field
Winston-Salem police closed part of the intersection of Peters Creek Parkway and Brewer Road because of a traffic crash, authorities said Sunday. The intersection reopened around 5 p.m., according ...
The 124m superyacht Katara, built by Lürssen, is seen here cruising off the Lerins Islands on the French Riviera. See more. Photo of the Day 124m superyacht Katara on the French Riviera. Written by Léandre Loyseau. Thu, 10 Aug 2023 | 08:00.
Built by Lurssen in 2010, the superyacht, named 'Katara' is a 124-metre luxury motor vessel. cornwalllive Load mobile navigation. News. ... Biker airlifted to hospital after serious crash with ...
124m Katara: A Royal Palace at Sea. Little is known about Katara, as she has remained shrouded in secrecy for more than a decade. Reportedly built for the Qatari Royal Family, this custom Lürssen superyacht instantly grabbed headlines as one of the largest yachts in the world. Launched and delivered in 2010, this breath-taking $400 million ...
The body suspected to be that of Hannah Lynch, the 18-year-old daughter of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and the final missing person in relation to the sunken Bayesian super yacht, was found on ...
The 124 metre superyacht Katara has left the Nobiskrug shipyard following a comprehensive refit that involved a number of significant modifications.. The contract for the refit of the 124 metre Lürssen yacht was signed in October 2021.. Cosmetic changes included a complete paint job and a broad range of interior upgrades.
Inspections of the yacht's internal hull took place on Wednesday morning. A team of four British inspectors from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) also arrived in Porticello to ...
US$300 Million 124m MY Katara at night in GibraltarThe yacht is owned by Sheikh Hamad, the previous Emir of Qatar.https://www.superyachtfan.com/superyacht/su...
Project Crystal, hull number 13656, launched at the end of April by Lurssen has now been christened Katara. Katara is one of the world's largest yachts, she measures 124,4 metres and has a beam of 18 metres. The naval architecture of the superyacht was designed by Lurssen in-house naval architects and Espen Oeino International (Monaco) […]
The current position of KATARA is at West Mediterranean reported 0 min ago by AIS. The vessel is en route to the port of Malaga, Spain, sailing at a speed of 15.3 knots and expected to arrive there on Aug 14, 06:00 . The vessel KATARA (IMO 9562805, MMSI 466066000) is a Yacht built in 2010 (14 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of ...
A man died on Sunday night after a skid steer rolled on him in Iowa County on Saturday, the Iowa County Sheriff's Office reported. Randy Cox, 63, of rural Dodgeville, died from his injuries at University Hospital, where he was taken by MedFlight helicopter after the crash on private property in a ...
The yacht's reportedly owned by the Qatar royal family - and said to be worth over £200 million. Featuring a helipad and two life rafts on her upper decks, Katara was built for the previous Emir of Qatar, father of the current Emir. She flies under the Qatari flag and her home port is Doha, according to superyachtfan.com.
Katara is a motor yacht with an overall length of m. The yacht's builder is Lürssen Yachts from Germany, who launched Katara in 2010. The superyacht has a beam of m, a draught of m and a volume of . GT.. Katara features exterior design by Espen Øino International and interior design by Alberto Pinto. Katara has a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure. She is powered by 2 MTU engines ...
Eighteen cabins. The 124.4m/408'2" motor yacht 'Katara' was built by Lurssen in Germany at their Lemwerder shipyard. Her interior is styled by design house Alberto Pinto and she was delivered to her owner in May 2010. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Espen Oeino and she was last refitted in 2022.
Ahoy there, yachties! Ever dreamed of gliding across crystal-clear waters aboard a palace on the sea? Buckle up, because we're taking you on a virtual tour o...
Police said one gunshot wound victim, identified as 24-year-old Nijel La'te Hitchcock of Charlotte, got into the backseat of a car that left the scene and headed north on Church Street.
Photo of the Day The 124 metre superyacht Katara in Spain. Written by Charl van Rooy, photo by. Wed, 02 Dec 2015 | 23:00
Owned by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the 124 meter Lürssen superyacht Katara was delivered by the German shipyard in 2010. The floating palace features exterior design by Monaco-based Espen Øino International, while her interior is the work of the late Parisian designer Alberto Pinto.
Superyacht Katara is one of the largest yachts in the world. Ranked 14th by length, but ranked higher by volume. Her estimated cost price is USD 300 million....
Photo of the Day The 124m motor yacht Katara arriving in Rendsburg
The 124m superyacht Katara, built by Lürssen, is seen here docked in Malta. See more. Photo of the Day Lürssen superyacht Katara in Malta. Written by Léandre Loyseau. Wed, 02 Nov 2022 | 08:00.