On the morning around 5 a.m. of August 19, 2024, a tragic accident occurred off Italy’s coast. A storm struck the British-flagged yacht called Bayesian while it was anchored about half a mile off Porticello, near Palermo, and caused it to sink. The incident tragically claimed seven lives. The Italian coastguard searched the wreckage, and finally, the last body from sunken superyacht was recovered on Friday.
That body was a woman and believed to be the daughter of a British tech magnate, Mike Lynch, who died initially from this tragedy. The $40 million luxury superyacht, Bayesian, which was known for its opulence and believed to be “unsinkable.” It was an impressive yacht with a 56-meter (184-foot) aluminum hull and a 75-meter mast and it was the tallest when built. This disaster has deeply affected the authorities and the maritime community. Let’s find out more details about the incident.
Victims and Survivors
Lynch, a well-known tech entrepreneur and investor, had invited friends and family to join him on the superyacht Bayesian, which carried 22 people, 12 passengers, and 10 crew members. They were celebrating his recent acquittal in a major fraud case in the United States. Unfortunately, a waterspout, a small tornado-like storm, hit the yacht. The storm caused the superyacht to sink within minutes, ending up 50 meters (164 feet) underwater.
After a tragic incident, Italy’s Coast Guard rescued fifteen people, including six passengers and nine crew members. Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, was among those saved. However, due to that unfortunate incident, seven people had to die, and Italy’s Coast Guard recovered one body on Monday and found five more on Wednesday. Also, the last body from the sunken superyacht was found on Friday.
Among the seven people missing were two Americans and five Britons. This group included 69-year-old British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah Lynch, Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife Judy, as well as lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda and onboard chef Ricardo Thomas.
Cause of the Tragedy
The main question about the tragedy remains unanswered still. One idea suggests that a tornado overwater hit the yacht, causing it to capsize. However, experts said that many other factors may have also contributed to the sinking. Also, the ship’s designer has said in interviews that he thinks human error might have caused the incident.
Furthermore, Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, said the crew had made several avoidable mistakes. They should have secured the hull, closed all doors and hatches, and gathered everyone at a safe spot on the ship once they knew bad weather was coming. Instead, water entered the yacht, and as it tilted 40 degrees, the passengers got trapped in their cabins. Demonstrating the gravity of the situation, Giovanni questioned how an older man could escape in such difficult conditions.
Search and Rescue Operations
Rescue teams quickly saved 15 people from the sinking yacht, but searching for the missing had been very challenging. Divers can only explore the wreckage, which is 50 meters underwater, for about 12 minutes at a time. However, after a five-day search with the help of divers, emergency boats, and helicopters, they were able to find all the victims.
Investigation and Legal Actions
Experts are puzzled because a yacht like the Bayesian, made by the Italian company Perini, should have survived the storm. Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini, said the crew made a series of “indescribable, unreasonable errors” that caused the shipwreck. He ruled out any problems with the yacht’s design or construction.
Police questioned the yacht’s captain, James Cutfield, and his eight surviving crew members, but they have not made any public statements about the disaster. Raising the wreck from the sea, where it is lying on its side and appears intact, might help investigators understand what happened.
The investigation into the sinking of the Bayesian is still underway, with both Italian authorities and the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) involved. They are looking into several possibilities, including the storm’s impact, possible design flaws, and crew errors. CCTV footage has been vital in showing how quickly the yacht sank. Also, the goal of the investigation is to find answers that could help prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor’s Office will hold a news conference on Saturday to share the initial findings of its criminal investigation into the tragedy. However, investigators began the investigation right after the incident, but they have not named any formal suspects yet.
Family and Public Reactions
On Friday, a spokesperson for the Lynch family said “The Lynch family is devastated, in shock and is being comforted and supported by family and friends. Their thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy. They would like to sincerely thank the Italian coastguard, emergency services and all those who helped in the rescue. Their one request now is that their privacy be respected at this time of unspeakable grief.”
Conclusion
The tragic sinking of the Bayesian superyacht off Sicily has deeply affected both the victims’ families and the maritime community. The last body from the sunken superyacht, belonging to a British tech magnate’s daughter, was recovered on Friday, bringing closure to the search. Investigations continue to explore the causes, including possible human error and design flaws, to prevent future tragedies. The Lynch family is heartbroken and asks for privacy protective and during this difficult time.
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