A recent interim report has shed light on the tragic sinking of the Bayesian yacht off the coast of Sicily, claiming the lives of tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others. According to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), the yacht was hit by “extreme wind” that caused it to capsize and flood within seconds.
The Bayesian sank near Porticello on August 19, 2024, during freak weather conditions, with reports of water spouts. The investigation revealed that winds of over 80mph violently hit the vessel, causing it to tilt to a 90-degree angle within 15 seconds. MAIB’s chief inspector, Andrew Moll, stated that the situation was “irrecoverable” once the yacht tilted beyond 70 degrees.
Key Findings:
- Vulnerability to Wind: The Bayesian was found to be vulnerable to lighter winds, with speeds of 73mph able to tip it over. However, this information was not included in the onboard stability information book, leaving the owner and crew unaware of the risk.
- Crew Response: As the storm intensified, crew members worked to respond to the conditions. The deck hand went onto the deck to close the yacht’s windows, but five people were injured, and the deck hand was thrown into the sea.
- Escape and Rescue: Two guests used furniture drawers as an improvised ladder to escape their cabin. Survivors escaped on the Bayesian’s life raft and were rescued by a small boat dispatched from another nearby yacht.
Dr. Simon Boxall, Oceanographer at the University of Southampton, noted that the Bayesian was in “the wrong place at the wrong time”. He explained that the crew’s priorities would have been to shut the hatches and doors, which they did, and then start the engines to position themselves within the storm. However, this process takes time, and it’s not like starting a car.
The investigation is ongoing, with a final report yet to be published. A criminal investigation by Italian authorities has restricted access to the wreck, and an operation to raise the vessel has been paused due to a diver’s death. Work is set to resume soon.
Mike Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among the seven people killed in the disaster. Lynch was a prominent figure in the UK tech industry, known for backing successful companies and dubbed the British equivalent of Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Inquest proceedings in the UK are looking into the deaths of Lynch and his daughter, as well as other British nationals who lost their lives in the tragedy.