The tragic sinking of Mike Lynch’s superyacht, the Bayesian, off the coast of Sicily last August has been linked to extreme wind conditions, according to British investigators. The incident resulted in the loss of seven lives, including Lynch, a British tech entrepreneur, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. They were celebrating Lynch’s recent acquittal in a U.S. fraud case.
The accident occurred on August 19, 2022, at around 4:06 a.m. local time, when wind speeds surged beyond 70 knots, equivalent to 81 miles per hour. This sudden gust knocked the 56-meter (184-foot) vessel over to a 90-degree angle in less than 15 seconds. An interim report from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) highlighted that the yacht was particularly vulnerable to winds, even lighter than those that ultimately caused the capsizing.
The report indicated that the yacht had been moved to its location the day before to avoid forecasted thunderstorms. At the time of the accident, the Bayesian was in a "motoring condition" with its sails down and its centerboard raised, which is typically used for stabilization.
The MAIB noted that the vulnerabilities of the yacht were not known to either Lynch or the crew, as this critical information was not included in the stability information book on board. The agency is conducting the investigation because the yacht was registered in the U.K., but access to the wreck and other evidence has been limited due to an ongoing criminal investigation by Italian authorities.
In addition to Lynch and his daughter, other victims included Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife, Judy, both British nationals. U.S. lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda, also perished in the incident, along with Recaldo Thomas, a chef aboard the vessel. Fifteen others, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, were rescued.
Efforts to recover the yacht have faced setbacks, including the death of a diver during underwater operations. Recovery work is expected to resume soon. Investigators plan to include more details, such as escape routes, in their final report, which has no set publication date yet.