“Unsinkable” Yacht SINKS – Billionaire Among 7 Dead!

When a mighty superyacht promised as “unsinkable” succumbs to a mere gust, questions about maritime safety loom large.

At a Glance

• The Bayesian superyacht capsized near Sicily, resulting in seven deaths, including its billionaire owner, Mike Lynch.
• A British investigation concluded that an intense gust of wind led to the yacht’s rapid sinking within minutes.
• The yacht was particularly vulnerable due to its single massive mast.
• A criminal investigation in Italy restricted full access to evidence, complicating the inquiry.

Tragedy Unfolds in Serene Waters

Tragedy struck the tranquil seas near Sicily as the 180-foot superyacht Bayesian, owned by billionaire Mike Lynch, foundered under an unexpected gale, resulting in the heart-wrenching loss of seven lives, including Lynch and his young daughter, Hannah. As determined by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), a powerful wind surged through, tilting the massive yacht beyond a 70-degree angle, sealing its fate as irretrievable.

The marine authorities identified an unexpected susceptibility to even light winds, a vulnerability not disclosed or known previously by the yacht’s owner and crew. Survivor accounts detailed makeshift methods to escape the sinking vessel, including the use of furniture drawers to climb to safety. Yet, despite such heroic endeavors, the magnitude of the disaster left survivors clinging onto life rafts waiting for rescue.

A Mirage of Safety Unfolds

The initial investigation revealed a promising illusion of safety in the Bayesians’ architectural marvel that failed disastrously when confronted by nature’s fury. The New York Times reported that its towering mast, unique within its series, critically compromised stability, evidencing a blind spot in the naval prowess it was supposed to exemplify. UK inspectors indicated how the tempest shredded any shred of recovery, tearing apart protective equipment and leaving the yacht helplessly tilted against the elements.

“The findings indicate that the extreme wind experienced by Bayesian was sufficient to knock the yacht over,” said Capt. Andrew Moll, the chief inspector of marine accidents for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, a British agency. “Once the yacht had heeled beyond an angle of 70 degrees, the situation was irrecoverable.” – Capt. Andrew Moll.