On August 21, 2024, divers resumed their search for survivors following the sinking of a superyacht off the coast of Sicily two days prior. The incident involved the British-flagged vessel Bayesian, a 56-meter long luxury craft, which capsized during a severe storm near Porticello, a small fishing village in Sicily.
The yacht, carrying 22 people, encountered difficulties while anchored off the port. Of those on board, 15 individuals survived, one crew member's body was recovered, and six passengers remain unaccounted for. Among the missing are Mike Lynch, a prominent British tech entrepreneur, his 18-year-old daughter, and Jonathan Bloomer, a non-executive chair of Morgan Stanley International.
Search operations have been described as "long and complex" by the fire department. The wreck lies sideways at a depth of approximately 50 meters, limiting divers to 8-10 minute inspection intervals due to the risk of decompression sickness. The confined spaces within the vessel have further complicated rescue efforts.
Mike Lynch, 59, is a well-known figure in the UK tech industry. He founded Autonomy in 1996, which grew to become the country's largest software firm. In 2011, Lynch sold the company to HP for $11 billion, marking one of the largest software company acquisitions in history. However, the deal later unraveled, leading to fraud accusations and a lengthy trial. In June 2024, Lynch was acquitted of all charges by a jury in San Francisco.
Other missing passengers include Bloomer's wife Judy, and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda Morvillo. Notably, Morvillo represented Lynch in the San Francisco trial, while Bloomer served as a character witness.
Experts have been puzzled by the rapid sinking of such a large luxury vessel, presumed to have top-class fittings and safety features. Matthew Schanck, chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, suggested the incident might have been caused by a rare "high impact" weather event, possibly a water spout.
"If it was a water spout, which it appears to be, it's what I would class as like a black swan event."
Schanck expressed confidence that authorities would determine the cause of the shipwreck through survivor accounts, witness testimonies, and examination of the intact vessel on the seabed.
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of maritime conditions, even for well-equipped vessels. As the search continues, it serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to international maritime safety standards set by organizations like the International Maritime Organization.