A diver died on Friday during preliminary operations to recover British tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s superyacht from the waters off the coast of northern Sicily. The 56-meter-long Bayesian was moored off the small port of Porticello, near Palermo, in August last year when it was likely hit by a downburst, a very strong downward wind, killing seven people, including Lynch and his daughter Hannah.
According to local police, the accident happened while the diver was underwater in Porticello, with the precise cause of death still unknown. Italian news agencies reported that the diver was a 39-year-old Dutch national who worked for the Dutch specialist salvage company Hebo Maritiemservice. The AGI news agency said the man was hit by a piece of metal as divers were cutting the boom – the horizontal pole attached to the vertical mast of the ship – from the wreck of the Bayesian.
A spokesperson for TMC Marine, the UK-based marine consultancy leading the salvage effort, confirmed the death in a statement, saying:
“The circumstances of the accident are currently being investigated by the authorities and all parties are offering their full cooperation. We are giving every support to the salvage team on site at this heartbreaking time and our thoughts are with the family of the deceased.”
The attempt to lift the yacht off the seabed is expected later this month and should help shed light on how a supposedly unsinkable vessel disappeared into the sea. As the investigation unfolds, the maritime community will be watching closely to understand the cause of the Bayesian’s sinking and the circumstances surrounding the diver’s tragic death.
Investigation and Next Steps
The authorities will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, with all parties cooperating fully. The salvage team will continue their work, with the goal of recovering the yacht and gaining insights into the events leading up to its sinking. The family of the deceased diver will receive support during this difficult time.
The incident highlights the risks and challenges involved in salvage operations, particularly when dealing with complex and damaged vessels like the Bayesian. As the process moves forward, it is essential to prioritize the safety of the salvage team and ensure that the investigation is thorough and transparent.