ROME (AP) – On May 4, 2025, marine salvage experts initiated operations to recover the British-flagged superyacht “Bayesian,” which sank off Italy’s Sicilian coast on August 19, 2024. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of U.K. tech magnate Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, and five others, highlighting the perilous nature of maritime weather phenomena.
The recovery operation is being executed using two substantial floating cranes: “Hebo Lift 2” and “Hebo Lift 10.” “Hebo Lift 2” is equipped with remotely operated underwater equipment, while “Hebo Lift 10,” one of Europe’s most powerful maritime cranes, docked in the Sicilian port of Termini Imerese after arriving from Rotterdam. These cranes are anticipated to facilitate the challenging task of bringing the yacht back to the surface, estimated to take between 20 to 25 days.
The Italian coast guard is overseeing these recovery efforts and ensuring a secure perimeter around the operation site to protect the personnel involved. Following the retrieval of the wreck, judicial authorities will examine the vessel as part of an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sinking.
Prosecutors are focusing on the captain and two crew members for potential liability in the incident, which occurred during a sudden downburst—a localized but powerful wind associated with thunderstorms. This wind phenomenon likely contributed to the rapidly deteriorating conditions that led to the sinking of the 56-meter (183-foot) yacht, which weighed 473 tons.
In addition to Mike Lynch and his daughter, the tragedy also claimed the lives of notable figures including Jonathan Bloomer, Chairman of Morgan Stanley International, his wife Judy, attorney Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda, and the ship’s cook, Recaldo Thomas. Initial rescue operations managed to save 15 out of the 22 people on board, with one body recovered shortly after the sinking. Sadly, the bodies of the six missing individuals were found following extensive search efforts that continued until August 23, 2024.
To facilitate the recovery process, the yacht's 75-meter (246-foot) aluminum mast, the second tallest of its kind in the world, will be cut down. This action is expected to make it easier to raise the hull, which currently lies at a depth of 49 meters (160 feet) beneath the sea.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks present in maritime navigation, particularly during severe weather conditions. As investigations unfold and the recovery progresses, the focus remains on understanding the factors that led to this tragic event and ensuring accountability among the individuals responsible for the safety of those aboard the vessel.
