On August 19th the yachting world was stunned by the sinking of the 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily. This devastating incident resulted in one confirmed death and left six people missing, a tragedy that has sent shockwaves through the industry.
What Supposedly Happened
A decent Perini Navi sailing yacht with an aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure—a well-tested 56-metre model from the Italian shipbuilder, known for being one of the safest and most reliable sailing yachts in the market—was caught in bad weather under still-unknown circumstances. The captain of the sister ship to the sunken Bayesian, the famous white-hulled Rosehearty from 2006, told Boat International, “Very difficult to understand what could have overwhelmed a vessel of that size,” and called the 56-metre Perini Navi series “bulletproof.”
The accident reportedly occurred around 5 a.m. on Monday, August 19. The yacht, judging by the AIS track, was anchored (or idle) during the night when a cold front passed over the area. Around 4 a.m., a waterspout, resembling a mini-tornado, was seen in the bay. Captain Karsten Borner of the Dutch-flagged 42-metre sailing vessel Sir Robert Baden Powell recalled finding 15 survivors in a lifeboat, three of whom were severely injured, and four moderately injured. He noted, “I don't absolutely know what they did. I only know that they went flat with a mast on the water and that they sank in two minutes.”
The Victims and Missing Passengers
The tragedy claimed the life of one person, while six others remain missing. Among the missing are billionaire Mr Lynch, his daughter Hannah Lynch, Morgan Stanley International Bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy Bloomer, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo. The captain of the Bayesian, who survived, has not made any official statements before the investigation, stating, “We didn't see it coming.”
Possible Causes and Speculation
Various theories have emerged regarding the sudden sinking of Bayesian.
- One theory suggests that the yacht’s very tall mast—standing 75 meters high—might have played a role, possibly breaking and causing a large hull breach that could have sunk the yacht in minutes.
- Mrs Lynch, who was rescued, mentioned to the media that she was awake at 4 a.m. due to the yacht’s tilting movements, speculating that sudden water ingress might have occurred through hatches and doors left open due to the hot weather.
- Another possible cause discussed is keel failure, which could have led to capsizing under severe weather conditions.
Why the Incident is So Shocking
This incident has shocked the yachting community, not only because of the loss of life but also because it involved a vessel from Perini Navi—a brand synonymous with safety and reliability. A 1-year-old baby was saved and hospitalised, with the mother being treated in the same facility. The fact that the 18-year-old daughter of Mike Lynch and Lynch himself is still missing adds to the heartbreak. It has been many years since such a disaster has struck the yachting industry, making this all the more unsettling.
The Ongoing Investigation
Divers are currently examining the wreck of the Bayesian, which lies on its starboard side, 50 metres underwater. Each dive can only last 10 to 12 minutes due to the depth, and with the yacht largely intact, accessing the interior has proven challenging. The search is complicated by the depth and the position of the hull on the seabed. Furniture and what the divers call a 'world of objects' are blocking access.
While there is still a possibility that the six missing individuals are trapped inside the sunken yacht, potentially in air pockets, every hour that passes diminishes their chances of survival. The official investigation will take months to conclude, and until then, all the versions of what has happened, including the information listed in this article, remain speculative.
Update: All Missing Passengers Confirmed Dead
During the underwater search of the Bayesian, all six missing passengers were found dead. According to a witness who spoke to Boat International, no one recalls any breakage or collision of the mast, and the ongoing inspection has not revealed any major damage to the yacht's hull. As for the weather phenomenon that occurred on the morning of August 19, initial reports of a waterspout have been reconsidered, with experts now suggesting that it might have been a downburst.
