An interim report released by the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) revealed that the owner and crew of the luxury superyacht known as the Bayesian, were unaware that wind speeds exceeding 73mph could cause the vessel to capsize. The tragic incident off the coast of Sicily resulted in the deaths of tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others. The report highlighted that gusts of over 80mph violently hit the yacht, causing it to flood within seconds. This devastating event took place near the town of Porticello during unusual weather conditions, including reports of water spouts.
Among the casualties were Mr. Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, along with five other individuals onboard the Bayesian. The report detailed the rapid capsizing of the yacht, reaching a 90-degree angle within 15 seconds, leading to chaos as people and objects were thrown across the deck. The situation became irrecoverable once the yacht tilted beyond 70 degrees, as stated by the MAIB’s chief inspector of marine accidents Andrew Moll.
The research conducted by the University of Southampton, commissioned by the MAIB, revealed that the Bayesian was vulnerable to capsize under wind speeds above 73mph when the sails were down and the centreboard was up. This crucial information was not included in the stability information book onboard the yacht, making the vulnerabilities unknown to both the owner and crew. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with no set date for the release of the final report due to limited access to the wreck caused by a criminal investigation.
Despite the efforts of the occupants to shut hatches and doors, it was reported that water entered the yacht over the starboard rails, flooding the internal spaces rapidly. Survivors managed to escape on a life raft and were rescued by a nearby yacht. The tragic events also shed light on the lives lost, including Mr. Lynch, a well-known figure in the UK tech industry, and several other British and international individuals. The inquest proceedings are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding their deaths
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