ROME — The UK’s opulent superyacht, which sank off Sicily last year, partially resurfaced Saturday. The incident had resulted in the tragic deaths of British entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others. The salvage team confirmed they’re undertaking a complex operation to recover the vessel for further examination.
The 56-meter Bayesian displayed its white top and blue hull above the water, although its exact position within the holding area near the salvage crane wasn’t entirely clear.
“We’re still pumping out seawater. After a series of lifting and resting procedures, it’s expected to be lunchtime before the Bayesian is fully out of the water,” a member of the salvage team mentioned.
The yacht sank on August 19 near Portisello, close to Palermo, while Lynch was celebrating a friend’s acquittal of fraud charges. Tragically, Lynch, his daughter, and five others lost their lives, while fifteen survived, including nearly all crew members except for the captain and chef.
Italian authorities are currently conducting a thorough criminal investigation into the incident.
TMC Maritime reported that the ship was gradually raised from the seabed, which is about 50 meters deep, over the last three days. Steel lifting straps and harnesses were being secured beneath the keel.
Eight steel lifting straps are now being used to upright the hull and are part of the system that started to lift the yacht out of the water on Saturday. As it is raised, seawater is being expelled from the hull.
TMC Maritime stated that the yacht will be positioned upright above water for inspections and final preparations.
On Sunday, the salvage operation plans to transport the Bayesian to the port of Imeres, Sicily.
Interestingly, the yacht is missing a 72-meter mast, which remains at the seabed for future retrieval. This mast had to be detached to allow the hull to be raised more easily.
A preliminary report from British investigators released last month mentioned that extreme winds played a role in the yacht’s sinking. The report indicated that the yacht was positioned to shield against anticipated thunderstorms, but wind speeds exceeded 70 knots, causing it to capsize within seconds.
Lynch was known for selling a Japanese software company he founded in 1996 for $11 billion to Hewlett-Packard in 2011. He was acquitted of fraud charges in June 2024 in a federal court in San Francisco.
