Sunken Superyacht Bayesian Retrieved Near Sicily After Tragic Incident

The salvage operation aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the drowning of seven individuals.

A sunken superyacht known as the Bayesian has been successfully raised from the seabed off the coast of Sicily nearly a year after it tragically sank, resulting in the death of seven out of the 22 people aboard. Italian authorities announced that the luxurious yacht would be suspended by a crane for inspections as mandated by the public prosecutor's office, before being fully removed from the water.

Owned by British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch, who tragically perished alongside his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, and five others during the incident, the yacht's recovery brings some closure to the families affected. An investigation revealed that Mr. Lynch and the crew were unaware of specific vulnerabilities in the yacht, particularly the fact that wind gusts exceeding 73 mph posed a risk of capsizing.

Footage from the salvage operation revealed the boat’s hull, measuring 56 meters (183 feet), lifting out of the water, with visible signs of damage and mud covering the surface. The yacht is expected to be transported to the port of Termini Imerese on Monday, where Italian prosecutors can continue their investigation into the sinking.

Additional challenges arose during earlier salvage attempts, including the recent death of a diver working on the project. A preliminary report from the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) indicated that winds of over 80 mph contributed to the rapid flooding of the Bayesian. The authorities emphasized the importance of raising the vessel to gain a clearer understanding of the events leading to the disaster.

The Bayesian sank on August 19 of the previous year while anchored near the small fishing village of Porticello. Eyewitnesses described the yacht vanishing within “a few minutes” amidst unexpected extreme weather conditions. Among the deceased were notable figures such as Jonathan Bloomer, a chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife, Judy. Fifteen individuals, including Mr. Lynch's wife Angela Bacares, managed to survive the incident.