The body of British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, 59, has been recovered from the wreckage of his luxury yacht ‘Bayesian’, which sank off the coast of Sicily on August 19, 2024. The yacht, carrying 22 people, sank rapidly during a violent storm near the Port of Porticello, resulting in six confirmed deaths, with Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah still missing.The incident has sparked a heated debate and investigation into the cause of the sinking. Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group which manufactured the yacht, has made severe accusations against the crew and captain. Costantino claims that necessary safety precautions were neglected and the storm was predictable, stating, ‘It was impossible not to know about the storm’. He criticized the crew for not closing doors and hatches despite storm warnings, which led to water entering the ship and causing it to sink within six minutes.This contradicts earlier statements from the yacht’s captain, James Cutfield, who reportedly said, ‘We didn’t see it coming’. The conflicting accounts have intensified scrutiny on the crew’s actions and decision-making in the lead-up to the disaster.The Bayesian, described as ‘unsinkable’ and ‘one of the safest boats in the world’ by its manufacturers, was a 56-meter superyacht valued at approximately $58 million. Its rapid sinking has shocked maritime experts and raised questions about the design and safety features of such luxury vessels.Rescue efforts have been challenging due to the yacht’s position, 50 meters underwater, with divers facing difficult conditions in their search for the last missing person. The Italian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the incident.The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the tech and business world, as Lynch had been celebrating his recent acquittal in a major US fraud trial with family and friends on board. As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of sea travel, even for the world’s most advanced and luxurious vessels.
Key points
- British tech billionaire Mike Lynch’s body recovered from sunken yacht off Sicily coast.
- Six deaths confirmed, including Lynch, with his 18-year-old daughter still missing.
- Yacht manufacturer accuses crew of negligence, claiming the storm was predictable.
- Criminal investigation opened into the sinking of the supposedly ‘unsinkable’ yacht.
Contradictions👾The yacht’s captain, James Cutfield, reportedly said ‘We didn’t see it coming’, while the yacht’s manufacturer claims the storm was predictable.
👾The yacht was described as ‘unsinkable’ by its manufacturers, yet it sank rapidly in a storm, raising questions about its design and safety features.
