The recovery operation for a superyacht that sank near Sicily a year ago has halted after the tragic death of a professional diver during underwater work.
This diver, along with his daughter and five others, perished in August when a severe storm caused the luxury yacht, known as Bayesian, to sink, resting now 49 meters (about 160 feet) underwater.
David Wilson, a spokesperson for TMC Marines in the UK, shared, “We are heartbroken to report the loss of a skilled diver while working today (Friday).”
Wilson also mentioned that an investigation is underway, with all involved parties cooperating fully.
The local prosecutor’s office, overseeing the inquiry, chose not to comment on the diver’s cause of death when approached by reporters.
Additionally, local media reported that the area surrounding the 39-year-old Dutch diver’s location has been cordoned off by authorities.
Marine rescue teams began salvage operations in early May, employing one of Europe’s strongest maritime cranes, brought in from Rotterdam, to recover the sunken vessel from the seabed near Porticello in Sicily.
To facilitate the retrieval, the yacht’s massive 75-meter (246-foot) aluminum mast, reportedly the second tallest in the world, was reduced in size.
Initially, it was anticipated that the complex recovery would take around 20 to 25 days, but now it’s uncertain when the operation will continue.
Key Points About the Yacht Sinking Incident:
- A superyacht capsized off the Sicilian coast after a tornado struck, resulting in seven fatalities.
- British tech magnate Mike Lynch, identified among the deceased, had brought his teenage daughter, Hannah, on board; she was the last to be found.
- Lynch, likened to a “British Bill Gates,” had guests on his yacht from Clifford Chance, a law firm, representing him and his company, Capital.
- Security footage captured the yacht’s sudden disappearance during the incident.
- Maritime experts suggest that a rare “Black Swan” weather event might have contributed to the swift sinking of the yacht.
A company based in the Netherlands and located in Rotterdam, Smit Salvage, is leading the salvage operations with assistance from Italian experts.
The winds that contributed to this incident were reportedly powerful, resembling what is termed a sudden downburst, or linked to a rapidly developing thunderstorm.
Prosecutors are currently examining the actions of the yacht’s captain and two crew members to determine any liability regarding the sinking.
Among those who lost their lives were Lynch, his daughter Hannah, International Speaker Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy, lawyer Chris Moviro and his spouse Neda, and ship chef Recualdo Thomas.
