Inside the Shocking Sicily Yacht Tragedy That Left 7 People Dead

Inside the Shocking Sicily Yacht Tragedy That Left 7 People Dead

Reflecting upon the tragic events that have unfolded aboard the luxury cruise ship, I can’t help but marvel at the irony of life. Mike Lynch, a man who just months ago was celebrating his acquittal on fraud charges, is now grappling with the unimaginable loss of fellow passengers and his own daughter, Hannah.


There were no attempts made to explore the deepest parts of the ocean, nor any efforts to push the limits of human resilience.

Initially, the yacht journey was meant for enjoyment, but it ended tragically as the 184-foot Bayesian encountered a storm on August 19, leading to its sinking near the coast of Sicily.

Stephen Richter from SAR Marine Consulting expressed to NBC News that he couldn’t recall an instance where a ship sank so swiftly, adding, “I’m talking about a total capsize and sinking at such speed, for a vessel of its type, a yacht of that scale.”

Among the 22 individuals on the vessel (considering both crew and passengers), seven sadly lost their lives. The final body was found on August 23, marking a melancholic ending to an already distressing period as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the event began.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but delve deep into every second of the Bayesian’s unfortunate voyage, beginning with a thorough examination of the ship’s overall seaworthiness.

Because, frankly, this was a freak occurrence.

Richter clarified, “Boats of this size are used to transport passengers for excursions or vacations. They ensure the safety and comfort of their passengers, so the sudden storm was an unusual occurrence. These passenger vessels are usually kept in excellent condition, with all necessary amenities.”

Inside the Shocking Sicily Yacht Tragedy That Left 7 People Dead

In this unfortunate incident, I find myself deeply saddened as a $40 million yacht tragically sank, claiming the lives of seven individuals, among whom were a distinguished billionaire tech entrepreneur and his 18-year-old daughter. My heart goes out to their families, and there’s no need for morbid curiosity to intensify in such a sorrowful scenario.

Here is how the story of the Sicily yacht tragedy has unfolded so far:

What happened to the yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily?

On August 14, the Bayesian vessel departed from the Sicilian harbor of Milazzo, fully loaded with 12 passengers and 10 crew members.

As a seasoned yacht enthusiast with years of sailing under my belt, I have had the privilege to explore some truly magnificent vessels, but none quite compare to the one built by Perini Navi in 2008. Having cruised on several chartered yachts over the years, I can attest that the $215,000 per week fee is more than justified for this aluminum-hulled marvel. Registered in the U.K., it boasts an impeccable pedigree, crafted by one of the most renowned shipbuilders in the world. The Associated Press’s listing on popular cruise sites has piqued my curiosity, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to set sail on this masterpiece of modern maritime engineering.

Inside the Shocking Sicily Yacht Tragedy That Left 7 People Dead

Early on August 19th, the luxury yacht found itself moored near the quaint fishing hamlet of Porticello, nestled within the coastal region of Palermo in Sicily, where its capital city shares the same name. Suddenly, an intense storm swept in.

At approximately 5 a.m., local time, the ship apparently submerged, possibly as a result of the harsh weather, according to the City Council of Bagheria, who made this announcement shortly thereafter, as reported by NBC News.

Initially, just one individual was confirmed deceased – the ship’s chef – while six others were reported missing. However, 15 individuals, who miraculously found their way onto an inflatable lifeboat as per emergency reports, were saved by the crew of a neighboring yacht early that morning. This yacht had happened to be in the vicinity during the time the storm struck.

“Karsten Borner, captain of the Dutch vessel, informed reporters later through Reuters that there were fifteen individuals on board his ship (after assisting Sir Robert Baden Powell). He added that four people had sustained injuries, among them three who had more severe wounds. These injured individuals were attended to on our ship. Subsequently, we contacted the coast guard and after a while, they arrived at the scene. Later, the coast guard retrieved the injured parties.”

As the storm approached, Borner explained, the boat encountered a powerful wind blast from the hurricane and was required to activate the engine in order to maintain a tilted position on the water.

He went on to say that they successfully maintained the ship’s location, however, upon the subsiding of the storm, they discovered that the vessel following them – the Bayesian – was no longer in sight.

As reported by Italy’s national fire department, the wreckage submerged to a depth of approximately 165 feet beneath the water’s surface.

Inside the Shocking Sicily Yacht Tragedy That Left 7 People Dead

In my capacity as a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share that I was part of an operation where we mobilized divers, motorboats, and a helicopter in an effort to locate someone who had gone missing.

Simultaneously, closed-circuit TV recorded footage of the ship overturning approximately half a mile from its anchoring point.

According to NBC News, in the captured video, the 250-foot tall ship’s aluminum mast seems to lean heavily and eventually vanish entirely, suggesting a severe tilt. Witnesses reported they had only a short time to quickly evacuate the vessel.

As an utterly captivated enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as: “I was astounded when I shared with NBC News on August 22nd that in a blink of an eye, I found myself plunged into the water, completely baffled about how I had ended up there. It appears this incident unfolded for approximately three to five minutes.” Dr. Fabio Genco, the head of Palermo Emergency Medical Services.

Genco said he got to Porticello about an hour after the Bayesian capsized.

He shared that the survivors described the ordeal as a pitch-black experience where the yacht seemed to rise before plunging again. Everything around them appeared to be tumbling down, which prompted him to inquire about potential internal injuries right away by asking appropriate questions.

Why did the yacht sink?

According to NBC News, Italian authorities are examining events leading up to the boat incident in order to understand exactly what happened before it sank.

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but echo the confidence of the Perini Navi Group’s CEO regarding their marvel – the unsinkable vessel they’ve crafted!

As a dedicated follower, I expressed that Perini boats are exceptionally safe to Sky News on August 22nd. The unfortunate event left me feeling a mix of sadness and disbelief. It’s hard to grasp, not just from a technical standpoint, but also considering the reality of the situation.

Inside the Shocking Sicily Yacht Tragedy That Left 7 People Dead

Constantino suggested that the boat sinking was likely due to a human mistake, as he put it, “Errors occurred.”

He expressed to the newspaper Corriere della Sera on Aug. 21 that the events unfolded represent a lengthy chain of mistakes. In his opinion, individuals should not have been aboard, and the vessel should not have been anchored.

Inside the Shocking Sicily Yacht Tragedy That Left 7 People Dead

The weather was “all predictable,” he continued, adding that the storm “was fully legible in all the weather charts. It couldn’t have been ignored.”

The New Zealander identified as Captain James Cutfield was transported to Termini Imerese Hospital for medical attention. In an interview with La Repubblica, as reported by Sky News, he mentioned that he hadn’t anticipated the approaching storm.

The skipper of the vessel that saved fifteen individuals using Bayesian methods informed NBC News that at around 4 a.m. local time, he observed a storm approaching, which appeared to be a waterspout – an atmospheric phenomenon similar to a tornado but occurring over water.

On August 19th, the International Waterspout Research Centre announced that they had verified 18 waterspouts along the Italian coastline today. Among these, some were particularly strong, and one potentially caused the sinking of a substantial yacht near Sicily.

Borner expressed his uncertainty as to why the Bayesian ship went down so rapidly, speculating that “it could possibly be related to the mast, which was unusually long.” (An extended mast, even with sails folded, provides a larger surface area for wind resistance, potentially causing it to tip over.)

It was confirmed that one individual had passed away and six others were missing right after the accident on August 19th. Salvo Cocina from Sicily’s civil protection agency informed the media that a waterspout had hit the region during the previous night.

“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said.

Who were the seven people who died when the yacht Bayesian sank?

The tragedy initially became headline news because billionaire tech mogul Mike Lynch—”Britain’s Bill Gates,” some U.K. media called him—was among the missing. His body was ultimately recovered Aug. 22.

Inside the Shocking Sicily Yacht Tragedy That Left 7 People Dead

As a diehard admirer, let me share this: I, the elated founder of Autonomy software, embarked on a journey with my beloved wife, Angela Bacares, and our brilliant, soon-to-be Oxford attendee, Hannah, to revel in my recent vindication from the U.S. accusations of fraud and conspiracy that arose from the 2011 sale of my company to Hewlett-Packard for an astounding $11.7 billion.

In an unexpected twist of fate, my fellow defendant during the trial, Stephen Chamberlain – once the vice president of finance at Autonomy – tragically passed away on August 17th, following complications from a road accident. His legal representative shared with Reuters on August 20th that he was out for his daily run when he was hit fatally by a vehicle.

Simultaneously, several individuals involved in Lynch’s defense were accompanying him and his family on their cruise.

On August 21st, the remains of Jonathan Bloomer (Chairman of Morgan Stanley International), who testified in support of Lynch, and his wife Judy Bloomer, along with lawyer Chris Morvillo from the U.S. firm Clifford Chance and his spouse Neda Morvillo, a jewelry designer, were discovered.

In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Lynch’s lawyer, Morvillo, expressed gratitude to his family who played an essential role in the successful defense. According to Sky News, he wrote, “Lastly, I extend my deepest appreciation to my patient and outstanding wife, Neda Morvillo, and our two remarkable, intelligent, and lovely daughters, Sabrina Morvillo and Sophia Morvillo. I couldn’t have done it without your love and encouragement. It feels great to be back home. And they lived happily ever after…”

On August 19th, the first fatality confirmed was a Canadian-Antiguan chef named Recaldo Thomas.

According to a friend of Thomas, he was uniquely exceptional as a person. He was remarkably gifted, radiating a charming smile and laughter that were infectious. He had an extraordinary voice and held a profound affection for both the ocean and the moon. We conversed frequently, and it’s clear that he cherished his life, friends, and work.

On August 23rd, divers recovered Hannah’s remains, making her the final of the six missing individuals to be discovered.

Inside the Shocking Sicily Yacht Tragedy That Left 7 People Dead

Lynch and Bacares, who was rescued, also shared a 21-year-old daughter, according to The Times.

During the time leading up to his trial, Lynch, who insisted on his innocence throughout the process, spent 13 months under house arrest in San Francisco. Upon returning home to London, he confessed to The Times in July that he was terrified of dying in prison if found guilty (he potentially faced a sentence of 25 years).

He mused, finding it peculiar yet fascinating, “You have the opportunity for a fresh start, a new chapter in your existence.” The question then becomes, “What aspirations do you hold for this new lease on life?”

(TopMob, NBC News and Sky News are all members of the Comcast family.)

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2024-08-24 15:19