The wreckage of the superyacht *Bayesian*, owned by British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, has been recovered from the Sicilian seabed following a complex and costly salvage operation. The $30 million (£22.2 million) undertaking was deemed essential by Italian prosecutors investigating the yacht’s sinking last summer, which resulted in the deaths of seven passengers and crew, including Lynch’s daughter.
The yacht capsized in a sudden storm, sinking within minutes. While other vessels in the vicinity survived, the *Bayesian*’s demise prompted a manslaughter and negligent shipwreck inquiry. The recovery itself was fraught with challenges, including a fatal diving accident that temporarily halted the process and complexities in securing the vessel for lifting.
The salvage team, TMC Maritime, successfully severed the yacht’s 72-meter aluminum mast, allowing the hull to be righted and lifted to the surface. The *Bayesian* was then transported to the port of Termini Imerese, where it will undergo a thorough forensic examination.
Prosecutors aim to determine the cause of the sinking, exploring possibilities ranging from human error to design flaws. An interim report by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) highlighted the yacht’s vulnerability to high winds, suggesting that neither the owner nor the crew were fully aware of this susceptibility. The report indicated that hatches and doors were reportedly closed during the storm.
The *Bayesian*’s arrival onshore marks a crucial phase in the investigation. Lawyers representing victims’ families emphasize the importance of the physical evidence in determining how water ingress led to the sinking. They are particularly keen to examine hatches and other potential entry points for water.
Three crew members, including the captain, remain under investigation. While Italian prosecutors have remained largely tight-lipped, their investigation will focus on determining whether human error or design flaws were the primary contributing factors to the tragedy. The MAIB will also review its findings in light of the recovered evidence.
The voyage, intended as a post-acquittal celebration for Mr. Lynch, following fraud charges in the US, tragically ended in the early hours of August 19th, near Porticello. The ongoing investigation seeks to provide answers to the lingering questions surrounding this devastating maritime accident.