Sunken Yacht's Crew Reveals What They Say Happened Before Tragedy: 'Thrown Into the Water' and 'Walking on the Walls'

Mar. 15, 2025

The captain and two crew membersnow under investigationin connection withthe sinking of the yachtBayesianoff the coast of Sicilylast month are reportedly sharing some of what they say happened as the tragedy unfolded, ultimatelykilling seven aboard.

According to multiple Italian news outlets, sailor Matthew Griffiths, who was on watch duty at the time, and Tim Parker Eaton, the ship’s engineer, as well as captain James Cutfield have each spoken with investigators about what led up to theBayesiangoing into the water.

The Italian coast guard previously said the vessel sank around 5 a.m. local time on Aug. 19 after a “violent storm” while near Porticello in northern Sicily.

Twelve passengers and 10 crew were aboard: Six of the passengers — including British tech businessman Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah as well as two couples — were killed along with the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas.

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Griffiths, speaking with investigators, said that “I woke up the captain when the wind was at 20 knots [23 mph]. He gave the order to wake everyone else up,” according to theLa Stampanewspaper.

“Then I put away the cushions and plants,” Griffiths is quoted as saying. “I closed the glass windows of the lounge at the bow as well as the hatches.”

“The ship tilted and we were thrown into the water. Then we … tried to save those we could,” he said, perLa Stampa.

According to RAI, citing what Griffiths told authorities, some of the crew created a kind of human chain to reach the passenger area from theBayesian’s bridge in order to get some people off the yacht.

It remains unclear how and why the superyacht succumbed to the weather in what some witnesses have said was mere minutes.

TheBayesian’s captain and Parker Eaton and Griffiths have reportedly all been placed under investigation for potential multiple manslaughter and negligent shipwreck charges — but that is not the same as being charged with a crime and none of the men have been formally accused of wrongdoing.

They have not commented publicly.

“The weather turned very quickly and reached us even more quickly,” he said. “And theBayesianwas there at the time. It was anchored like us. We kept an eye on it. We had turned the engine on to maintain our position in case the anchor didn’t hold and were carefully watching it to keep at a distance from it as well. We were the only two ships out in the bay.”

Borner and a passenger saw a red flare and then a white one. It prompted Borner and his first mate to board a tender, and they headed in the direction where theBayesianhad been.

“We first found things floating in the water like cushions and chairs and stuff,” Borner said. “And then we saw a flickering light. This was a life raft with a light on the top. And they also waved at us with a torch.”

source: people.com