Key questions for investigators of yacht tragedy
The PA news agency identifies seven issues which inspectors of Bayesian may be focusing on.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Investigators examining the sinking of a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily face a number of key questions.
Here the PA news agency identifies seven issues that inspectors of Bayesian may be focusing on.
-The design of the yacht
Bayesian has a mast measuring 72 metres, making it one of the largest in the world among sailing yachts.
Sam Jefferson, editor of the magazine Sailing Today, told the PA news agency the mast “acted almost like a sail” when severe weather hit the vessel, causing it to be “pinned over on its side”.
– Were windows and doors left open?
Mr Jefferson said he suspects “all the doors were open because it was hot”, causing the yacht to fill with water “very quickly”.
Weather records show temperatures reached around 33C the day before the sinking, which may have led to the vessel’s occupants keeping access points open overnight.
– Obtaining video footage of the sinking
The Italian coast guard has reportedly visited homes and organisations in the local area to obtain footage of the sinking from surveillance cameras.
One clip available online shows the boat being battered by severe weather before disappearing into the water.
– Interviewing survivors
Interviews with the 15 surviving crew members and passengers will be crucial to finding out what happened.
The ship’s captain, James Cutfield, has reportedly already been questioned by police for more than two hours.
– Was the keel a factor?
Italian media reported that divers found the Bayesian’s keel – a flat blade on the bottom of yachts that sticks down into the water to boost stability – was partially retracted.
Some yacht safety experts believe that may have contributed to the sinking.
But the Telegraph reported that a spokesperson for Italian Sea Group, which owns the company that built Bayesian, said: “Even without the keel completely out, the ship is stable and only a massive entry of water could have caused the sinking.”
– Will the yacht be salvaged?
Nick Barke, head of salvage operations at Boats.co.uk, a boat sales and services company, told PA that the “only real way of knowing” why the yacht sank will be to lift it to the surface, but that would be “expensive and complicated process”, likely to involve a crane barge.
He said divers would attach straps to the boat before it is lifted upright and then hauled out of the water.
He predicted this would be “time-consuming” as “they have to do it in such a way that they don’t damage anything too badly.”
– What is the UK’s role?
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) – a branch of the Department for Transport – has sent a team of investigators to the scene of the sinking, as Bayesian was British-flagged.
It will produce a report into why the sinking happened and may provide recommendations to prevent future occurrences.
The MAUB does not apportion blame.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.