A British tech tycoon’s superyacht that capsized in Sicily last year was overturned by an “extreme” wind gust that made recovery impossible, an interim report finds.
The yacht, named Bayesian, sank in August, with the deaths of seven people. Fifteen survived.
The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch report, released yesterday, said the Bayesian’s towering 72m mast and rigging contributed to a fatal vulnerability, with winds reaching more than 120km/h forcing the vessel onto its side in a matter of minutes.
The Bayesian was being captained by New Zealander James Cutfield when it sank. Another Kiwi, lawyer Ayla Ronald, was also on board. Both survived the disaster.
Marine accidents chief inspector Andrew Moll said: “The findings indicate that the extreme wind experienced by Bayesian was sufficient to knock the yacht over … once the yacht had heeled beyond an angle of 70 degrees, the situation was irrecoverable.
“The results will be refined as the investigation proceeds, and more information becomes available,” he said, describing the probe thus far as a “desktop study”.
The tragedy claimed the lives of Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, four friends, and the yacht’s cook. Lynch was sometimes described as the British Bill Gates before his death.
The Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily. (Source: 1News)
According to the report, by the time Cutfield reached the bridge, after being awoken at 4am, the storm’s intensity had increased dramatically.
“As the skipper prepared to manoeuvre Bayesian up into the wind from their position on the flying bridge, the wind suddenly increased to more than 70 knots.
“The awning over the flying bridge ripped from port to starboard. At 4.06am, Bayesian violently heeled over to 90 degrees to starboard, taking less than 15 seconds to do so.”
Earlier this month, marine salvage experts began operations to recover the Bayesian from the seabed off the Sicilian coast.
The British report and investigation are occurring amid multiple probes into the sinking.
In August, Italian officials said they were investigating Cutfield for manslaughter and considered several other crew members for any part they may have played in the sinking.
As the search for six missing passengers continues, Italy’s Coastguard says there’s little hope of finding anyone alive. (Source: 1News)
The investigation in Italy, reported on last year, didn’t imply guilt and didn’t mean charges would necessarily follow. Under maritime law, a ship’s captain has full responsibility for the vessel and crew, as well as the safety of all those who were aboard.
