The BBC reports that seven individuals have perished in the tragic sinking of the Bayesian yacht. This figure encompasses the six individuals who were aboard the vessel when it went down and a seventh person, identified as the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas, who was found shortly after the incident. The remaining six victims remain unnamed.
It is believed that the yacht was hosting a celebration in honor of Lynch's recent triumph in an 8 billion fraud case that spanned 13 years. There are no accounts of the mast breaking on the 56-meter Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian, which sank near Sicily on August 19. An eyewitness, a crew member who spoke to BOAT International, recounted that the yacht was hit by an unexpected weather phenomenon, causing it to tilt 20 degrees to starboard. As the crew secured the items on board, the tilt rapidly increased until the yacht began to flood and subsequently sank.
Those crew members who were on deck managed to escape with only minor injuries. The yacht is thought to have sunk within just 12 minutes, and an anonymous captain suggests that a significant inflow of water from above would have led to the rapid sinking, given that no hull breaches were reported and the yacht should have been able to stay afloat with two flooded compartments.
The captain of a sister ship to the Bayesian expressed his astonishment at the incident, describing the 56-meter Perini Navi series as 'bulletproof'. David Hutchinson, captain of Rosehearty, voiced his complete confidence in the vessel, having navigated it around the world multiple times, including through 70-knot winds in Antarctica and Chile. However, he acknowledged differences between Bayesian and Rosehearty, particularly the heavier 74-meter mast of Bayesian and its differently situated guest accommodations.
Constructed by the esteemed Perini Navi in Italy and launched in 2008, the Bayesian's naval architecture was crafted by Ron Holland Design, with interior design by Rémi Tessier. Previously named Salute, the yacht underwent its last refit in 2016 and was put up for sale earlier this year. It could accommodate nine guests and 12 crew members. BOAT International will continue to provide updates as the story unfolds.
