A British investigation has found that violent winds likely caused the sinking of the 56-metre superyacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily last year, killing British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others.
According to an interim report released Thursday by the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), the yacht was struck by a powerful downward gust while moored near Porticello, north of Palermo, in August 2024. The vessel, described by its builder as “basically unsinkable,” capsized and sank in just 18 minutes.
Investigators concluded that wind speeds exceeding 117 km/h (73 mph) were enough to topple the yacht, particularly when its retractable keel was raised. The MAIB also warned that the vessel may have been vulnerable to even lower wind speeds, a risk that was not accounted for in its onboard stability manual. As a result, the crew and owner were unaware of the yacht’s susceptibility.
“The findings indicate that the extreme wind experienced by Bayesian was sufficient to knock the yacht over,” said Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents. “Further, once the yacht had heeled beyond an angle of 70 degrees, the situation was irrecoverable.”
‘Irrecoverable in 15 Seconds’
The incident unfolded rapidly. Investigators said the yacht heeled to 90 degrees in less than 15 seconds after a sudden increase in wind speed. Water began pouring over the starboard side and quickly flooded interior spaces through stairwells. The vessel sank approximately 18 minutes later in waters 50 metres deep.
Compounding the risk was Bayesian’s 72-metre aluminium mast—the tallest in the world—which accounted for nearly half the force that caused the yacht to tip, the report found.
Built in 2008 by luxury yacht builder Perini Navi, Bayesian had been touted as one of the safest sailing vessels afloat. Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group which owns Perini Navi, described the yacht last August as “basically unsinkable.” The company has not commented on the UK report.
Tech Pioneer Among the Victims
Mike Lynch, once dubbed Britain’s answer to Silicon Valley, had been celebrating his acquittal on 15 counts of fraud in a U.S. court just two months earlier. He was sailing with close family and friends, including his daughter, his lawyer, and banker Jonathan Bloomer. All perished in the incident.
The sudden loss of Bayesian shocked Europe’s yachting community and local residents around Sicily.
Salvage Effort Marred by New Tragedy
The wreck remains on the seabed as Italian authorities continue their investigation. A salvage operation, set to resume Thursday, was paused after a diver was killed during preliminary recovery work last week.
“Last week’s tragedy affected all involved,” said Marcus Cave, head of naval architecture at TMC Marine. “However, everyone is still committed to completing this project.”
The British report stressed that its findings are preliminary. Further updates may follow pending the results of the Italian investigation and examination of the wreck.
