Marine recovery teams have embarked on the challenging task of salvaging the British-flagged superyacht “Bayesian” from the depths off Sicily’s coast, following its tragic sinking last summer. This unfortunate incident claimed the lives of prominent U.K. technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch, his daughter, and five other individuals. The recovery operation, which commenced Sunday, is making use of two powerful floating cranes. The first, “Hebo Lift 2,” is equipped with cutting-edge underwater tools and remotely operated vehicles, while the second, “Hebo Lift 10,” is reputed to be among the most formidable maritime cranes in Europe. This crane recently arrived at the Sicilian port of Termini Imerese after traveling from Rotterdam.
Under the vigilant supervision of the Italian coast guard, which is also maintaining a security perimeter, the recovery efforts are estimated to span 20 to 25 days. Once the yacht’s wreckage is successfully retrieved from the seabed, judicial authorities will conduct a thorough examination as part of their ongoing investigation into the disaster. The inquiry is focusing on the yacht’s captain and two crew members, who may bear responsibility for the sinking that occurred on August 19, 2024. This incident is believed to have been caused by a sudden and violent atmospheric phenomenon known as a downburst, where intense winds from a thunderstorm rapidly spread upon contacting the ocean’s surface.
A crucial aspect of the operations involves cutting the yacht’s towering 75-meter (246-foot) aluminum mast, the second tallest in the world. This is necessary to facilitate the elevation of the 56-meter (183-foot)-long, 473-ton yacht hull from its current resting depth of 49 meters (160 feet), as explained by coast guard Captain Nicola Silvestri.
The disaster not only claimed the lives of Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah but also others that included Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy, attorney Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda, as well as the yacht’s cook, Recaldo Thomas. Initial rescue efforts, supported by nearby vessels, successfully saved 15 of the 22 passengers onboard. While one body was recovered promptly, the search continued for the six individuals initially reported missing, leading to their recovery through extensive and multifaceted search operations which concluded on August 23.