Tech billionaire Mike Lynch’s luxurious superyacht tragically sank off the coast of Sicily last year, leading to the untimely deaths of Lynch and his daughter, Hannah, along with five others. A recent report suggests that the 180ft yacht, named Bayesian, was vulnerable to extreme winds, which ultimately caused it to capsize. The investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch revealed that the yacht was unable to recover from the impact of the strong winds, leading to the fatal incident.
The interim report highlighted a concerning “vulnerability” of the yacht to lighter winds, a detail that the owner and crew were reportedly unaware of. Chief inspector of marine accidents, Andrew Moll, stated that once the yacht tilted beyond a 70° angle, the situation became irrecoverable. The investigation is ongoing, with efforts to gather more information and refine the findings as more details become available. Despite limited verified evidence due to restrictions from the criminal probe in Italy, the report sheds light on the series of events that led to the tragic sinking of the superyacht.
Following the disaster, five individuals sustained injuries from falling or being hit by objects, while the deckhand was thrown into the sea. Two guests had to use furniture drawers as an improvised ladder to escape their cabin, highlighting the chaotic and desperate situation onboard. The skipper instructed passengers and crew to swim away from the sinking vessel, a harrowing experience that ultimately led to their survival. The survivors were later rescued by a small boat dispatched from another yacht, Sir Robert Baden Powell, which was anchored nearby. Despite the efforts to save everyone onboard, the tragic accident claimed the lives of seven individuals, prompting a manslaughter probe and a thorough search of the accident site by local authorities.
