Tragedy at Sea: 7 Die as Superyacht Sinks in 16 Minutes
Overview of the Incident
In a devastating maritime tragedy, British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others lost their lives when the luxury yacht Bayesian sank during a violent storm off the coast of Sicily. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, August 19, 2024, near the fishing village of Porticello, a few kilometers from Palermo. The Bayesian, a 56-meter sailboat (184'), was anchored when it was hit by sudden and extreme weather conditions, causing it to sink rapidly at about 4:35 am.
The Victims: Who Were They?
Six guests and one crew perished in this boating tragedy. The victims included:
• Mike Lynch: Founder of Autonomy Corporation and a renowned figure in the tech industry.
• Hannah Lynch: Mike Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, who had recently secured a place at Oxford University.
• Jonathan Bloomer: Chair of Morgan Stanley International.
• Judy Bloomer: Wife of Jonathan Bloomer.
• Chris Morvillo: Attorney at Clifford Chance.
• Neda Morvillo: American jewelry designer and wife of Chris Morvillo.
• Recaldo Thomas: The yacht’s chef, whose body was the first to be recovered.
The Event: A Luxurious Celebration Turned Fatal
The yacht was on a celebratory voyage around Sicily, marking Mike Lynch’s recent acquittal in a high-profile fraud case instigated by Hewett-Packard after buying Lynch’s company for $11 billion. After a day spent off the shores of Cefalù, the yacht anchored near Porticello, unaware of the impending storm.
Despite weather forecasts predicting an approaching storm, the severity of the situation seemed to catch everyone aboard Bayesian by surprise. Local fishermen and nearby vessels reported extreme weather conditions, including what appeared to be a waterspout, a type of tornado that forms over water.
Eyewitness Accounts: The Moments Before the Sinking
Eyewitnesses describe the storm's sudden onset. Fabio Cefalù, a local fisherman, noted, "At 3:55 AM, a mini-tornado hit. The wind swept through the harbor, and within minutes, the Bayesian was sinking."
Captain Karsten Borner of the nearby Sir Robert Baden Powell sailboat recounted, "We were awakened by the storm and started our engines to stabilize. When we saw the Bayesian sinking, we immediately moved to assist, but it was too late." The yacht reportedly sank in from 12 to 16 minutes, remarkably fast given the size of the vessel.
A photo captured by a local fisherman shows the moment an emergency flare was launched from the Bayesian's life raft at 4:35 AM, signaling the dire situation onboard.
Investigation: What Went Wrong?
Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the sinking, with potential manslaughter charges being considered. Early reports suggest that a hatch may have been left open, and the yacht’s keel was partially raised, putting the boat's considerable ballast from 30' below the yacht to just 12', thus raising it's CG, which could have contributed to the boat heeling excessively to starboard during the blow and rapid sinking. The boat, described as “unsinkable” by its builders (Perini Navi which is a respected Italian shipyard), was found intact on the seafloor at a 90-degree angle, leading experts to speculate about a “major ingress” of water from the top down. The mast was intact, and there were no reports of hull damage from the SCUBA divers. The yacht had four "watertight" bulkheads, and the builder said the vessel could stay afloat with any two flooded. The yacht was designed by Ron Holland, who has long been one of the most successful and popular sailboard designers in the world.
Prosecutors are focusing on whether the crew took all necessary precautions to prevent the tragedy. The yacht, anchored in 30 meters of water, ultimately sank in 50 meters (160'), making recovery efforts challenging as they could only stay at that depth for 8 minutes after an 3-minute dive. Divers reported difficult conditions, with furniture obstructing access to cabins where victims were found.
The bodies were discovered in the forward, port-side guest stateroom. This cabin, which was likely one of the more luxurious accommodations on the yacht, became a tragic final resting place for the victims as they were unable to escape the rapidly sinking vessel.
So Far, an Unsolved Maritime Mystery
The sinking of the Bayesian has left experts baffled. David Hutchinson, captain of the Rosehearty, a near sister ship to the Bayesian, expressed disbelief, saying, "It's very difficult to understand what could have overwhelmed a vessel of that size." The incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea, even for the most luxurious and seemingly safe vessels.
As investigators continue to piece together what happened, and there are many unanswered questions. The maritime community mourns the loss of seven lives and seeks answers to how such a tragedy could unfold in what should have been a routine anchorage.
The sinking of this superyacht with its superwealthy passengers has resulted in massive press coverage in the UK, Europe, and America, and some are questioning why the same doesn't occur after migrant vessels come to grief in Italian waters with far more massive loss of life.
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