British tech magnate Mike Lynch and five others are missing after their luxury superyacht sank during a freak storm off Sicily. One body has been recovered, and police divers are attempting to reach the hull of the ship, which is resting at a depth of 50 meters off Porticello. The ship had a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers, and a waterspout struck the area where it was anchored. Lynch’s wife and 14 other people survived, thanks to the nearby Sir Robert Baden Powell ship, which helped with the rescue.
The Bayesian, the British-flagged superyacht, was notable for its single 75-meter mast and was available for charter for up to 195,000 euros a week. A survivor recounted the harrowing experience of momentarily losing her 1-year-old daughter in the water but managing to hold her up until they were rescued. The captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell, Karsten Borner, saw a red flare after the storm and realized the Bayesian had disappeared. Eight rescued individuals were hospitalized, while one body was found near the wreck. Rescue operations involved helicopters and boats from various agencies.
Fisherman Fabio Cefalù witnessed the sinking and alerted the coast guard, but no survivors were found by the time he arrived at the scene. Lynch, recently acquitted of fraud charges, has been cleared of any wrongdoing related to Hewlett Packard’s acquisition of his company, Autonomy Corp. The yacht was built in 2008 by Perini Navi and can accommodate 12 passengers in luxury cabins. Lynch, once hailed as Britain’s king of technology, expressed his desire to return to the UK and focus on his family and innovation.
The diverse group of passengers and crew hailed from various countries, including the UK, US, Antigua, France, Germany, Ireland, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Spain. The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is sending inspectors to Italy, and the Dutch citizen on board is in stable condition. Lynch’s acquittal in the fraud trial marked a significant moment in his career, as he portrayed HP as a technological trainwreck and looked forward to resuming his work post-verdict. The yacht’s luxurious interior, designed by French designer Remi Tessier, reflected the high-end nature of the vessel.
