LONDON (AP) — The superyacht of British tech magnate Mike Lynch, which tragically capsized off the coast of Sicily on August 19, 2024, resulting in the loss of seven lives, was reportedly overturned by "extreme wind" and could not recover, according to British investigators who released an interim report on Thursday.
Among those who perished in the incident were Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. The sinking of the 56-meter (184 feet) yacht, known as the Bayesian, occurred during a voyage that was intended to celebrate Lynch's recent acquittal in a U.S. fraud case in June. The report from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) highlighted that the yacht was "vulnerable" to wind conditions that were even less severe than those present at the time of the accident.
The interim report indicated that the level of evidence available was limited due to an ongoing criminal investigation by Italian authorities, which restricted access to the wreck and other crucial evidence. The MAIB stated that the risks associated with the vessel’s stability were not known to either Lynch or the yacht’s crew, as this vital information was not included in the stability information book that was kept on board.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the Bayesian had been sailed to the site where it ultimately sank the day prior, seeking shelter from forecast thunderstorms. The capsize occurred at 4:06 a.m. local time when wind speeds exceeded 70 knots (81 mph), violently tilting the yacht to a 90-degree angle in less than 15 seconds. At the time of the incident, the vessel was in a "motoring condition" with sails lowered, and its centerboard, which is crucial for stabilization, was in a "raised" position.
MAIB investigator Simon Graves remarked, "You have the wind pushing the vessel over, and then you have the stability of the vessel trying to push the vessel back upright again." He noted that their investigations suggested that the Bayesian had specific vulnerabilities to high winds, which were likely present during the accident.
The inquest proceedings currently taking place in the U.K. are examining the deaths of Lynch and his daughter, as well as those of other British nationals aboard — Jonathan Bloomer, 70, the chairman of Morgan Stanley International, along with his wife, Judy Bloomer, 71. Other victims included U.S. lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda Morvillo, alongside Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian-Antiguan national who was serving as the vessel's chef. A total of fifteen individuals, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, were rescued from the scene.
Recovery efforts to lift the Bayesian back to the surface had been temporarily halted since May 9, following a tragic incident that resulted in a diver's death during underwater operations. Nevertheless, these recovery efforts are set to resume from Thursday. The final report is expected to include additional details, such as "escape routes," to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding the sinking.
Simon Graves concluded, "Once we get access to the vessel, we’ll be able to tell a fuller picture of activities on board and the sequence of events." However, as of now, no specific date has been provided for the publication of the final report.
