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Death of Mike Lynch: 'Tragedy of Shakespearean proportions': The tragic story of Mike Lynch and his Bayesian superyacht that capsized near Sicily | World News

The death of Mike Lynch, which a close friend described as a “tragedy of Shakespearean proportions,” has shocked many people. Lynch, 59, was one of five bodies recovered from the rubble of the Bayesian Superyachtwhich sank off the coast of Sicily. The group on board the yacht had gathered to celebrate Lynch’s recent acquittal in a long-running Fraud trial in the USA.
Brent HobermanFounder of lastminute.com and friend of Lynch, told the BBC: “It is deeply tragic and the timing feels like something out of a Shakespearean tragedy. He had just spent 12 years fighting to clear his name and was on a jubilee cruise with those who had stood by him during this incredibly difficult time.”
This sad news follows the recovery of a fifth passenger from the sunken superyacht by divers in Sicily and adds to the growing grief surrounding this devastating event.
Italian divers found the bodies in the same section of the yacht's hull, now 50 metres underwater, half a mile off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo. Two more passengers were recovered shortly afterwards, leaving one person still missing from Monday morning's tragic incident.
Emergency services handled the recovery with dignity, transporting each body bag by patrol boat, placing them in a shielded tent for registration and then taking them to Palermo's main hospital.
The Bayesian capsized during a heavy thunderstormallegedly due to a waterspout that led to her rapid demise. As one of the tallest yachts in the world, her sudden disappearance has raised questions about the events that led to the disaster.

Driving the news

On August 21, 2024, the British superyacht Bayesian capsized during a severe thunderstorm off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, Sicily, resulting in a tragic loss of life.
The victims include:

  • Mike Lynch, a well-known technology entrepreneur and owner of The Bayesian.
  • Hannah Lynch, Mike Lynch's 18-year-old daughter.
  • Three others are said to have died
  • The victims were on board one of the most luxurious yachts in the world, a symbol of wealth and state-of-the-art ship technology.

Why it is important

  • The incident has raised serious doubts about the safety measures on even the most modern yachts.
  • The deaths of Lynch, a major figure in the technology industry, and his daughter have sent shockwaves throughout both the business and maritime communities.
  • The tragedy underscores the potential dangers of sea travel, even under seemingly controlled circumstances, and the critical importance of strict safety protocols.

Go deeper

  • Launched in 2008 by the renowned Perini Navi shipyard, Bayesian was known for her cutting-edge technology and luxury. She featured a record-breaking 246-foot aluminum mast and was considered a marvel of modern yacht design.
  • Despite her bad reputation, the yacht's stability during the storm was compromised by several factors, including an improperly lowered keel and an open tender compartment, which allowed water to enter the hull.
  • Given the yacht's design, maritime experts were shocked at how quickly the yacht capsized and questioned the crew's preparation for and response to the severe weather warnings.
  • The aim of the ongoing investigation is to uncover the exact sequence of events that led to the yacht capsizing, with a focus on possible omissions and errors in the yacht's operation and safety precautions.

The sinking of the Bayes yacht was most likely due to human error, that is, an inappropriate attitude towards a possible disturbance.

A nameless engineer

I am surprised they did not track this extreme weather pattern as it moved across the Mediterranean… A well-built superyacht from a world-class shipyard should not have capsized so quickly.

Maritime expert

Event timeline

21 August 2024

  • Morning: The Bayesian capsizes during a severe thunderstorm off Porticello, Sicily.
  • Afternoon: Italian divers locate the wreck at a depth of 150 feet; the first two bodies are recovered, identified as Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah.
  • Evening: Two more bodies are recovered, bringing the total to four of the six missing passengers. The bodies are taken to Palermo's main hospital.

22 August 2024

  • Morning: Salvage efforts continue with divers and an underwater drone searching the wreckage. One passenger remains missing.
  • Afternoon: Reports are emerging that the yacht's keel was not fully lowered and the tender room was not sealed, contributing to the sinking.
  • Evening: There is speculation about human error; survivors are being housed in a luxury hotel and shielded from the media. Experts are surprised at the lack of preparation for the storm.

August 23, 2024 (and ongoing)

  • The investigation into the causes of the accident is ongoing, with particular attention being paid to the yacht's design, crew decisions and emergency protocols.

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