Fatal Capsizing of Superyacht Bayesian Due to Extreme Winds, Investigators Reveal
A British investigation finds extreme winds capsized superyacht Bayesian, killing seven including billionaire Mike Lynch and his daughter.
Overview
The British superyacht Bayesian capsized off Sicily last August due to extreme winds exceeding 70 knots, leading to the deaths of seven individuals, including tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter. Investigations revealed that vulnerabilities in the yacht’s stability were unknown to the owner and crew. The recovery of the sunken yacht has faced challenges, including a deadly accident. The incident has prompted ongoing inquest proceedings and further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
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Analysis
- The Bayesian yacht capsized due to extreme wind conditions, which caught the crew off guard, resulting in a tragedy that claimed seven lives including its owner, Mike Lynch and his daughter.
- Investigators noted that the yacht had vulnerabilities to high winds that were not documented, which were unknown to both the owner and the crew, contributing to the disaster.
- An ongoing investigation restricts access to the wreck, limiting the thoroughness of the interim report; a final report will provide more details on escape routes and sequence of events.
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FAQ
The superyacht Bayesian capsized due to extreme winds exceeding 70 knots (around 120 km/h) which caused the yacht to heel beyond 70 degrees, making the situation irrecoverable. The vessel's towering 72m mast and rigging contributed to its vulnerability to these extreme gusts, leading to a rapid capsizing in less than 15 seconds.
Seven people died in the sinking, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, US lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, Canadian-Antiguan chef Recaldo Thomas, and the yacht's cook. Fifteen people, including Mike Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, survived.
The Bayesian was anchored to shelter from forecast thunderstorms with initially calm seas and very light wind at 8 knots. The crew noted advancing thunderclouds and lightning, and the wind speed increased to 30 knots shortly before the accident. Extreme wind gusts exceeding 70 knots hit the yacht around 4:06 am, causing it to capsize.
Investigators found vulnerabilities in the Bayesian's stability related to its design, particularly its tall mast and rigging, which made the yacht susceptible to capsizing in extreme winds. The yacht violently heeled to 90 degrees starboard in less than 15 seconds, causing critical system failures and making recovery impossible once the heel exceeded 70 degrees.
The recovery of the sunken Bayesian faced significant challenges including a deadly accident during salvage operations. Specific details of the accident are not detailed, but the incident has delayed and complicated the recovery efforts off the coast of Sicily.
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