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The Bayesian Superyacht of the unhappy superyacht of the United Kingdom’s magnate Mike Lynch had “vulnerabilities” which made him subject to capsize in strong winds, revealed a preliminary British investigation.
The 56-meter ship, once described by its manufacturer as “unbearable”, has flowed while anchor off the coast of Sicily after being struck by winds from Hurgagan-Force. Lynch, her daughter, four friends and a crew member are all dead, while 15 survivors, including Lynch’s wife, were rescued.
The branch of the UK’s marine accident survey (Maib) said Thursday that Bayesian – known for its unusual 72 meter large mast – capsized after being flat and that the water was poured inside. The results are based on evidence collected before starting the wreckage this month starting.
In the early hours of August 19, the Bayesians “violently went up to 90 degrees for starboard” within 15 seconds, according to the report. There was no sign of flooding in advance, he added: “Until the water arrives on the starboard rails and, in a few seconds, he entered internal spaces via stairwells” – apparently excluding previous theories that the floods started through an open hatch.
The imposing mast of the yacht and the fact that his adjustable keel was in a raised position reduced its stability and left it particularly vulnerable by strong winds.
“The results indicate that the extreme wind felt by the Bayesians was sufficient to overthrow the yacht,” said Andrew Moll, chief inspector of marine accidents. “Once the yacht was in heel beyond a 70 degree angle, the situation was irreparable.”
Another much older Superyacht nearby, the Sir Robert Baden Powell, also dragged the anchor in the same storm but remained afloat. His crew saved the Bayesian survivors.
The part based on Maib of its conclusions on a study by the University of Southampton, using the “stability information book” of the yacht. The report noted that the vulnerability of Bayesian with the high keel was not included in the booklet and was therefore “unknown to the owner or the crew”. He found that the wind speeds greater than 63.4 knots on the beam – on the side – were sufficient to capsize the yacht.
Maib has made no security recommendations and said its conclusions could change as more evidence has emerged. The Italian sea group, which acquired the manufacturer of Bayesien Perini Navi in 2022, refused to comment.
The investigation continues as recovery efforts resume after the accidental death last week from a Dutch diver working to separate the mast from the hull. The authorities hope to recover the wreckage, now 50 meters underwater and half a million from the Sicilian coast in the coming weeks to collect other evidence.
Italian prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into three crew members, including the captain, shortly after the tragedy, although no one was officially charged. At the time, the Italian sea group denied any design defect and suggested human errors, such as leaving open key doors, had caused the shipwreck.
However, the account of the Maib on the efforts of the crew to maneuver the ship and evacuate the passengers concludes that the vulnerability of the yacht in the strong winds was at the heart of its rapid cap in the sudden and violent storm.
