Probe into Mike Lynch's Sunken Superyacht Focuses on Open Hatches

Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the sinking of the superyacht Bayesian, owned by Mike Lynch, focusing on whether open hatches contributed to the vessel's rapid submersion. The 56-meter British-flagged yacht now rests 165 feet underwater off the coast of Sicily.

As of August 20, 2024, specialist cave divers continue their search for six missing individuals, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah. The search operation, now in its second day, faces diminishing hopes of finding survivors.

Prosecutors in Termini Imerese are examining the circumstances leading to the yacht's sinking, with a particular focus on the crew's actions before and during the storm. One key aspect under scrutiny is whether the yacht's hatches were left open, potentially allowing rapid water ingress.

Yachting experts have suggested that open hatches could have led to the Bayesian's swift sinking. The investigation will also assess whether appropriate measures were taken in preparation for the storm, such as the proper use of the yacht's retractable keel, which enhances stability and counterbalances the large mast.

Luca Mercalli, president of the Italian Meteorological Society, noted that given the weather warnings, the crew should have awakened guests and provided life jackets. This raises questions about the crew's adherence to safety protocols.

The UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch has dispatched investigators to support the inquiry. The investigation is expected to span several months, involving interviews with survivors, emergency workers, and Coast Guard divers.

"I would have said that the boat got hit very hard by the wind, it was pinned over on its side. I imagine all the doors were open because it was hot, so there were enough hatches and doors open that it filled with water very quickly and sank like that."

Divers at the scene report no visible signs of impact on the Bayesian, named after the mathematical theory that contributed to Lynch's fortune. The search operation faces challenges due to the yacht's narrow stairs and furnishings, with divers limited to 12-minute intervals at the wreck's depth.

Tragically, Recaldo Thomas, the yacht's chef, has been confirmed as the first casualty. Friends remember him as a positive and sociable individual, qualities highly valued in his profession catering to wealthy clientele.

As the investigation unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maritime safety protocols and the unpredictable nature of sea conditions, even for well-equipped vessels like superyachts.