Marine salvage experts have commenced operations to recover the 56-meter British-flagged superyacht Bayesian, which sank off the coast of Sicily last summer. The tragedy occurred on August 19, resulting in the deaths of UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and five other individuals.
The Italian Coast Guard is overseeing the recovery efforts, ensuring safety measures are in place for the personnel involved. Captain Nicola Silvestri of the Coast Guard stated, “With the use of underwater operators and remote-controlled robots, ROVS (remotely operated vehicles), all operations will be carried out for about a week in preparation for the lifting of the vessel.”
Recovery efforts and equipment deployment
In a significant step towards recovery, the powerful maritime crane, ‘Hebo Lift 10,’ arrived in the Sicilian port of Termini Imerese from Rotterdam on Saturday. This crane is one of the most capable in Europe and will play a crucial role in lifting the yacht from its resting place on the seabed.
Approximately 70 marine experts from across Europe are engaged in the operation, alongside a dozen logistical specialists working from shore. Captain Silvestri noted that the actual process of lifting the yacht is planned for a later phase of the operation.
To facilitate the recovery, the yacht’s 75-meter aluminum mast, noted as the second tallest in the world, will need to be cut down. This modification is essential to allow the hull, lying 49 meters underwater, to be raised more efficiently.
The tragic sinking of the Bayesian
The Bayesian, a massive luxury yacht weighing 473,000 kg, sank in just 16 minutes shortly before dawn on August 19. At the time, it was anchored approximately 300 meters from the small fishing port of Porticello, about 15 kilometers east of Palermo.
Of the 22 individuals on board, including 12 passengers and 10 crew members, only seven remained on the vessel as it began to take on water. Fifteen others managed to escape into a life raft, aided by nearby boats. Tragically, six individuals, including Lynch and his daughter, perished in the incident, alongside Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy, attorney Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda, and the ship’s cook, Recaldo Thomas.
Search and rescue operations continued until August 23, resulting in the recovery of six bodies, with one additional body found during the initial emergency response. Italian prosecutors are currently conducting investigations into the cause of the sinking, which may lead to potential charges against the captain and two crew members for their roles in the disaster.