As salvage efforts for Mike Lynch’s $30m superyacht Bayesian get underway, investigators hope the recovered vessel will yield clues about its catastrophic sinking off Sicily last summer.
The recovery of the 56-metre ‘British-flagged superyacht Bayesian‘ from the seabed off Sicily is set to begin on Wednesday, weather permitting. The $30m salvage operation will be carried out by Hebo Maritiemservice and Smit International.
Investigation into Sinking
Investigators hope that the yacht’s recovery will yield vital clues about the circumstances surrounding its sinking last summer, which killed seven people, including Mike Lynch. The luxury vessel was anchored off shore near the port of ‘Porticello‘ when it was struck by a violent storm shortly before dawn.
Lynch, who was described as ‘Britain’s Bill Gates’, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among the victims. The investigation is ongoing, with Captain James Cutfield, Tim Parker Eaton, and Matthew Griffiths being placed under investigation for suspected manslaughter.
Salvage Operation Details
The salvage operation will involve using one of Europe’s largest floating cranes, ‘Hebo Lift 10’, to hoist the yacht from the seabed. A 55-metre barge, the ‘Hebo Lift 2’, will also arrive in Porticello, carrying a heavy-lift crane, specialist diving apparatus, and a remotely operated underwater vehicle.
The master mast of the Bayesian will be cut away before being lifted, and once raised, the vessel will be towed to Termini Imerese, where prosecutors have opened an inquiry into suspected manslaughter. The recovery is expected to take several weeks, with insurers estimating that the salvage operation will cost around $30m (£22.4m).
Previous Search Efforts
Search efforts began within hours of the incident, with divers from the fire brigade working non-stop. The first body recovered was that of the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, followed by the bodies of Jonathan Bloomer and Chris Morvillo. ‘Mike Lynch’s’ body was found a few hours later, along with his daughter Hannah.
All of their bodies have undergone postmortem examinations, which concluded that the victims died due to ‘so-called mechanical asphyxia by drowning’. However, experts are still baffled by how the yacht sank within 60 seconds, and some speculate that the crew may have underestimated the weather bulletin.
- theguardian.com | $30m salvage operation on Mike Lynch’s superyacht to begin
