Tragic Superyacht Sinking: 16 Minutes That Changed Everything

A tragic incident unfolded off the Sicilian coast on August 19, 2024, when the superyacht Bayesian sank, resulting in multiple fatalities. The disaster has sparked an investigation and raised questions about maritime safety and human error.

Mike Lynch, a prominent tech entrepreneur, was among the six confirmed casualties. Other victims include Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International bank, his wife Judy, and Chris Morvillo, a lawyer at Clifford Chance, along with his wife Neda. The yacht's chef was also among the deceased.

The search continues for 18-year-old Hannah Lynch, daughter of Mike Lynch, who remains unaccounted for. Specialist cave divers are set to resume their efforts on August 23, exploring the possibility that she may still be inside the sunken vessel or have been thrown into the sea during the incident.

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group, which owns the Perini Navi shipyard where the Bayesian was constructed, has defended the yacht's build quality. He asserts that the vessel took 16 minutes to sink, contradicting earlier reports of a 60-second descent. Costantino emphasized the importance of proper preparation and alertness in adverse weather conditions.

"The torture lasted 16 minutes. It went down, not in one minute as some scientists have said. It went down in 16 minutes. You can see it from the charts, from the AIS tracking chart."

The investigation, led by prosecutors in Termini Imerese, will focus on several key aspects:

• The cause of the yacht's sinking
• Potential criminal liability of the crew
• The role of the partially deployed retractable keel
• Whether access hatches were properly closed before the incident

Maritime experts note that retractable keels, which can extend up to 32 feet, are crucial for a vessel's stability, especially during adverse weather conditions. The partially raised keel at the time of sinking has raised questions about the yacht's stability during the incident.

Costantino suggested that a water surge caused a blackout on the boat, with an open aft hatch allowing water to enter continuously. He maintains that the Bayesian was "one of the safest boats in the world" and virtually "unsinkable," citing the survival of a Perini vessel during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 as evidence of the brand's resilience.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory voyage for Mike Lynch, who had recently been acquitted of fraud charges in San Francisco. His daughter, Hannah, had just secured a place at Oxford University to study English after receiving her A-level results the previous week.

As the investigation continues, the maritime community and the families of those affected await answers about the circumstances that led to this devastating event. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of maritime safety protocols and the unpredictable nature of sea conditions.