An interim report reveals shocking details about the capsizing that took the lives of tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others aboard the British-registered superyacht, Bayesian.
"Extreme Winds Cause Fatal Capsize of Tech Tycoon Mike Lynch's Yacht"
"Extreme Winds Cause Fatal Capsize of Tech Tycoon Mike Lynch's Yacht"
The tragedy off Sicily highlights the dangers of navigating severe weather conditions at sea.
A recent interim report by the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) attributed the fatal sinking of Mike Lynch's luxury yacht, Bayesian, off the Sicilian coast to "extreme wind" conditions that struck unexpectedly, causing the vessel to capsize within seconds. On August 19 of last year, powerful winds exceeding 80 mph impacted the yacht near Portofino, leading to a devastating outcome that saw seven of the 22 passengers succumb, including Lynch and his daughter, Hannah.
The investigation indicates that the yacht was tilted to a precarious 90 degrees by the time it capsized, with witnesses noting that there was no early flooding before water rushed in over the starboard rails, quickly engulfing the internal spaces. Andrew Moll, the MAIB's chief investigator, noted that once the yacht's angle exceeded 70 degrees, the situation became "irrecoverable.” Alarmingly, the report highlighted that the yacht was vulnerable even to winds as mild as 73 mph, a fact the crew was unaware of due to its omission from the stability information book on board.
While the MAIB continues to investigate, it faces limitations due to a criminal inquiry into the disaster by Italian authorities, which has hampered access to the wreck. The recovery operation has been temporarily suspended following the tragic death of a diver working to raise the submerged yacht earlier this month, but is set to resume soon.
According to the report, the vessel was positioned to evade a forecasted thunderstorm and was initially sailing in calm waters before the wind dramatically escalated. By 04:06 am, conditions improved to a tempest, leading crew members to try to counter the storm's fury. Injuries among the crew were reported as they navigated the chaotic scene.
Survivors were ultimately rescued using lifeboats dispatched from nearby vessels. The report has also fueled ongoing inquiries about the circumstances surrounding the deaths of not only Lynch and his daughter but also several other notable passengers. Lynch, a significant figure in the UK tech sector, had experienced legal troubles prior to the accident, sparking a complex narrative surrounding his tragic end. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for his legacy as one of Britain's most influential tech entrepreneurs.
