Tragic Sinking of the Yacht Bayesian
Some believe that the superyacht Bayesian, previously owned by tech mogul Mike Lynch, sank due to strong winds that pushed the vessel past its limits. Others suggest that a cascade of human errors contributed to the accident, which tragically claimed seven lives, including that of Lynch and his daughter, Hannah.
When Bayesian was caught in a fierce storm just before dawn on August 19, 2024, the real story lies beneath the water, at a depth of 50 meters.
Pietro Guida, a 68-year-old local who often fishes near the recovery site, reflects, “Until the ship is brought back and examined, the reasons for this tragedy remain a puzzle.” He patiently watches the recovery efforts from the pier, where a large floating crane dominates the scene, part of a salvage operation that has been ongoing for weeks. Divers frequently leave and arrive, their boats zooming out to begin the next round of work.
On May 9, a tragic incident occurred when a 39-year-old Dutch diver and team member lost his life while preparing to cut the yacht’s main mast. This has left the small fishing town of Porticello shaken, with many dubbing it the “Bayesian Curse.”
This term has broadened to encompass more than just the catastrophe itself. The community and its coastline face intense scrutiny thanks to widespread media attention. Social media even suggests that seafarers should avoid the area, likening it to a Bermuda Triangle.
Gina Lo Bue, a 45-year-old restaurant owner nearby, dismisses such claims. “They’ve been talking about supernatural forces and strange waters,” she says incredulously. “It’s all nonsense! The harbor has always been calm, but that storm… we’ve never experienced anything like it.”
Reflecting on the aftermath, the once-bustling bar filled with reporters and onlookers shortly after the incident now feels almost deserted, visited only occasionally by tourists photographing the ongoing recovery operations.
In the water, a few swimmers enjoy the sea, blissfully unaware—or perhaps painfully aware—of the cranes working in the background. It’s a typical Sicilian summer day, yet the atmosphere is heavy with remembrance.
Last week, a preliminary report from the UK’s Marine Corps Accident Investigation Division detailed the harrowing timeline of the sinking, which occurred merely 18 minutes after catastrophic events unfolded.
At around 4 AM local time, Bayesian began to drag at its anchor and a young deckhand posted a video just before waking the captain. The chief engineer had gone below deck to ready the ship for movement, but by 4:06 AM, winds intensified suddenly, causing the yacht to heel dramatically. In mere seconds, it tipped 90 degrees, throwing people and debris across the deck.
Lo Bue recalls the chaos: “I woke up with a start. The wind was uprooting chairs and tables. It felt like an earthquake.” The report indicates that the dock may have funneled the wind toward Bayesian, contributing to its instability.
The yacht took on water, quickly flooding the stairwell. The captain directed passengers and crew to evacuate, urging them to escape via the mast and boom.
Nine crew members and six guests were eventually rescued from a liferaft, including Angela Bacares, Lynch’s wife. Sadly, some remained trapped below when the ship sank.
Alongside the MAIB’s investigation, Sicilian authorities have launched their own inquiry into possible manslaughter charges against the yacht’s crew, including captain James Cutfield and two British crew members. In Italy, being part of an investigation does not imply guilt, but some crew members are being scrutinized for potential negligence.
Franco Ballestrieri, age 63, contemplates the superstorm and its effects. “What do you expect experienced sailors to do when faced with such tornado-like winds?” he asks. “In those moments, you can’t always react quickly. It’s not fair to blame anyone, not even the engineer who built the yacht.”
His brother, Gaetano, chimes in: “We’ve weathered many storms. Staying calm while the wind and waves batter you isn’t easy.” He gestures toward the now-calm sea. “Do you see that water? There’s a Sicilian saying: the sea may appear gentle, but when it crashes, it does so fiercely.”
He adds solemnly, “And on that dreadful night, the water… it indeed crashed hard.”
