A UK-led investigation into the sinking of a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily last year has found that neither the owner nor the crew were aware that extreme wind conditions could capsize the vessel, leading to the deaths of seven people, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter.
The interim findings by the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) revealed that the 56-metre yacht Bayesian was hit by wind gusts exceeding 80mph (70 knots) in the early hours of August 19, 2024. The vessel, which had its sails down and centreboard up, was knocked over within seconds and flooded rapidly, sinking near the town of Porticello.
According to the report, the yacht capsized at approximately 04:06 local time after the wind struck it broadside. Within 15 seconds, the vessel tilted to a 90-degree angle, causing passengers, furniture, and loose items to be flung across the deck. Water then rushed into the internal spaces via open stairwells, leading to a near-instantaneous flood.
Modelling conducted by the University of Southampton showed that gusts as low as 73mph could have capsized the yacht under such conditions. However, this risk was not included in the yacht’s stability guide, meaning the crew had no way of anticipating the vessel’s vulnerability to side winds in its specific configuration.
“The situation became irrecoverable once the yacht tilted beyond 70 degrees,” said Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents at MAIB.
The yacht, registered in the UK, had sailed to the area the previous day seeking shelter from forecast thunderstorms. At 03:00 local time, wind speeds were just 9mph, but they intensified dramatically, reaching hurricane-force gusts within an hour. Survivors described chaotic scenes as the storm struck: one deckhand was thrown overboard, while guests used drawers as makeshift ladders to escape flooding cabins.
Fifteen of the 22 people onboard managed to evacuate using a life raft and were rescued by a nearby yacht. Among the victims were Mike Lynch, 59, his daughter Hannah, 18, prominent banker Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy, as well as U.S. lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda, and Canadian-Antiguan chef Recaldo Thomas.
A recovery operation to raise the yacht was suspended after a diver died during the salvage, and investigators continue to face restricted access due to an ongoing Italian criminal probe.
Final conclusions from the MAIB are expected at a later date, while inquests in the UK are also underway.
