A diver has tragically died during recovery operations for British tech tycoon Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht, the Bayesian, off the coast of northern Sicily. The incident occurred on May 9, 2025, in Porticello, where the diver, a 39-year-old Dutch national, was working underwater as part of a salvage team. Local police reported that the exact cause of death remains unknown, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The Bayesian, a 56-meter-long (184-foot) luxury yacht, sank during a severe storm in August 2024, which was believed to have been caused by a downburst, a sudden and powerful downward wind. This tragic event resulted in the loss of seven lives, including Lynch, who was 59, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. Other victims included Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, his wife Judy, 71, US lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda, and the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas, originally from Antigua. Only 15 people, including Lynch's wife Angela Bacares and a one-year-old child, managed to escape on a lifeboat.
The salvage operation is being overseen by British marine consultancy TMC Marine and is being led by the Dutch companies Hebo and SMIT Salvage, with additional support from Italian specialists. Approximately 70 personnel from across Europe have been deployed to assist in the recovery efforts, which began earlier this month.
On May 8, the salvage team reported significant progress, indicating that preparations were on schedule. They confirmed that there had been no change in the condition of the yacht since the last inspection, allowing plans to raise the vessel to move forward. The operation to lift the Bayesian from the seabed is scheduled to commence later this month, contingent on favorable weather and sea conditions.
Before the yacht is raised, it will be held in position by steel slings while workers detach its extensive rigging and 72-meter (236-foot) mast, which is one of the tallest in the world. These components will be stored on the seabed and retrieved after the hull is raised, as investigators consider the hull a primary source of evidence regarding the sinking.
Despite the ongoing recovery efforts, there have been no reports of pollution from the yacht, and measures are being taken to secure its tank vents and openings. The recovery is crucial not only for the families affected by the tragedy but also for understanding how a vessel deemed 'unsinkable' could have sunk so rapidly.
In the UK, inquest proceedings are underway to examine the deaths of Lynch, his daughter, and the Bloomers, as they were all British nationals. Lynch, who founded the software giant Autonomy in 1996, had recently been cleared of massive fraud allegations related to the sale of his company to Hewlett-Packard in 2011. The yacht trip was reportedly a celebration of his acquittal.
As the salvage operation continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of the personnel involved and uncovering the truth behind the sinking of the Bayesian. The recovery team will utilize advanced technology, including undersea drones and remote-controlled saws, to facilitate the lifting of the yacht from its resting place at a depth of 50 meters (164 feet).
The diver's death underscores the risks involved in such complex salvage operations, and authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fatal incident. Meanwhile, the families of the victims continue to seek closure as they remember their loved ones lost in this tragic maritime disaster.
The investigation into the sinking of the Bayesian is also drawing attention from Sicilian prosecutors, who are treating the case as suspected manslaughter. The captain of the yacht, James Cutfield, a New Zealander, is among those being scrutinized as part of the inquiry.
As the salvage team prepares to lift the yacht, they are also tasked with ensuring that the remaining fuel onboard, estimated at 18,000 liters, does not leak into the surrounding waters, which could pose an environmental hazard.
The recovery of the Bayesian is not just a technical challenge; it represents a poignant chapter in the lives of those affected by the tragedy. The operation is being closely monitored, and any findings will likely have significant implications for maritime safety regulations and the accountability of yacht operators.
With the salvage operation set to resume soon, the hopes of many rest on the successful recovery of the Bayesian and the answers it may provide about one of the most shocking maritime incidents in recent history.
