Bayesian raised months after Sicily tragedy
Salvage teams have recovered Mike Lynch’s superyacht Bayesian off Sicily, 10 months after it sank during a violent storm. The vessel had been submerged 50 metres below sea level near the port of Porticello since 19 August 2024. The sinking killed seven people, including UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah during their celebratory voyage. The Italian coastguard confirmed the operation to raise the Bayesian began Saturday morning off Palermo’s coastline. TMC Maritime led the recovery using a floating yellow crane barge to lift the 56-metre vessel from the seabed.
Figure 1: Mike Lynch’s superyacht Bayesian, lifted after months
Vessel recovery involved complex operation
The team detached the 72-metre mast earlier using a remote-controlled cutting tool and left it on the seabed. This step eased the $30 million salvage task, which involved securing harnesses and slings under the yacht’s keel. TMC Maritime spokesperson said the vessel was gradually raised over three days using steel lifting gear. Once lifted, the Bayesian will be placed on a custom steel cradle at the port of Termini Imerese. Authorities will conduct forensic examinations to understand the cause of the superyacht’s rapid sinking.
Bayesian, il relitto torna in superficie pic.twitter.com/60PZhUiQet
— AGTW (@AGTW_it) June 20, 2025
Bayesian went down in minutes during storm
On 19 August 2024, the Bayesian was anchored near Porticello, off Palermo, when a violent storm hit before dawn. A UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report suggested a tornadic waterspout struck the vessel directly. The storm missed nearby docks and headed towards the Bayesian, which sank within seconds. The MAIB report said the superyacht ran on its engine and had stability vulnerabilities unknown to the owner or crew. These details were not listed in the stability information book onboard, raising concern over safety documentation.
Investigation targets suspected technical failures
Italian prosecutors have launched a manslaughter investigation into the deadly sinking of the luxury yacht. They have named three individuals under investigation: Captain James Cutfield of New Zealand and two UK crew members. The British crew under scrutiny are Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffiths, though no formal charges have been filed. Authorities will examine if an open hatch or a wrongly raised keel contributed to the vessel’s rapid submersion. The yacht’s condition could offer key evidence for understanding structural and operational factors behind the tragedy.
Seven victims died in sudden marine disaster
The incident claimed the lives of seven people including Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, and five others onboard. Victims included lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda, banker Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy, and chef Recaldo Thomas. Nine other crew members and six guests survived, including Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares, whose firm owned the Bayesian. The family had been cruising around Sicily to celebrate Lynch’s acquittal in a US fraud case months earlier. Lynch had been cleared over Hewlett-Packard’s acquisition of his company Autonomy in 2011.
Figure 2: Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah
Security concerns followed the sinking
In September 2024, Italian authorities increased security at the Bayesian wreck due to potential intelligence concerns. Reports raised fears that safes onboard could contain material of interest to foreign governments. Authorities responded by securing the site as speculation mounted around the yacht’s contents. Recovery crews maintained surveillance throughout the multi-month operation to prevent interference or theft. No official statements have confirmed what materials, if any, were recovered from the safes.
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Salvage diver dies during recovery phase
The recovery effort suffered tragedy in May when Dutch diver Rob Cornelis Maria Huijben died during underwater operations. The operation paused temporarily following the incident before crews resumed their work on raising the vessel. TMC Marine, a British consultancy, led the global team of salvage experts during the difficult underwater project. They will continue assisting investigators as the vessel undergoes thorough structural and forensic inspection on land. The complex operation aimed to preserve evidence vital for determining whether human error or technical faults played a role.
Bayesian’s future rests with investigators
The vessel’s arrival at Termini Imerese marks a key phase in uncovering the full details of the sinking. Examiners will focus on hull integrity, equipment condition, and crew procedures used in the final moments. Authorities plan to determine if regulatory oversights, maintenance issues or weather misjudgements were involved. The Bayesian tragedy continues to draw attention due to its high-profile victims and unanswered safety questions. The case underscores the ongoing challenges in maritime safety and accountability in luxury yachting operations.
