A diver has tragically died during recovery operations for the sunken Bayesian superyacht off the coast of Sicily, local police confirmed on Friday, May 9, 2025. The incident occurred while the diver was underwater as part of preliminary efforts to recover the vessel, which sank in August 2024, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including the yacht's owner, British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, and his daughter, Hannah.
The diver, identified as Robcornelis Maria Huijben Uiben, a 39-year-old Dutch national, was working at a depth of approximately 50 meters (160 feet) when he was pronounced dead. Reports suggest that he may have been struck by a piece of metal while cutting the boom of the yacht using a blow torch, after an initial unsuccessful attempt with wrenches. However, authorities have not confirmed the exact cause of death, which remains under investigation.
According to police, the recovery operation began on May 4, 2025, and involved around 70 specialist personnel mobilized to the fishing village of Porticello, near Palermo. The operation aims to lift the 56-meter-long (184-foot) yacht, which is currently resting on the seabed, and is expected to take between 20 and 25 days. The yacht, valued at £14 million, sank in just 16 minutes during a freak storm, raising questions about its supposed unsinkable design.
The Bayesian was moored off the coast of Porticello when it was likely hit by a downburst—a powerful downward wind—leading to the disaster that claimed the lives of Lynch, his daughter, and other notable figures, including Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy, attorney Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda, and ship's cook Recaldo Thomas. Of the 22 people on board at the time, 15 survived the initial sinking, with many rescued by nearby vessels.
In the wake of the tragedy, an inquest has been launched in the UK to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including those of Lynch and his daughter. Reports indicate that four of the victims initially survived the sinking but later died trapped in an air pocket inside the wreck. The captain of the Bayesian, James Cutfield, along with two other crew members, is currently under investigation for manslaughter due to allegations of culpable shipwreck and multiple manslaughter.
As the recovery operation continues, the Italian Coast Guard has deployed floating cranes, remote-controlled robots, and specialist divers to assist in the complex task of lifting the yacht. The Hebo Lift 10, one of the most powerful maritime structures in Europe, is being used in conjunction with other vessels to hoist the Bayesian from the seabed.
Initial reports indicated that the diver's death might have been linked to a seizure or equipment failure, but authorities are now focusing on the possibility that he was struck by debris during the cutting operation. Images captured by underwater cameras were interrupted at the time of the incident, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the diver's death.
Following the accident, marine salvage experts have expressed the necessity of lifting the yacht to understand the factors contributing to its sinking. Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group, which oversaw the yacht's construction, stated that the vessel sank due to human error, noting that the yacht had taken on water before capsizing. He emphasized the importance of understanding the dynamic of the sinking, which lasted a mere 16 minutes.
Costantino pointed out that several safety protocols appear to have been disregarded, including the failure to close the stern hatch and ensure that the ship's keel was lowered. He questioned why no local fishermen were out at sea during the storm, suggesting that the crew should have been aware of the impending weather conditions.
As the recovery operation progresses, the focus remains on lifting the Bayesian to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the disaster. The lifting operation is set to begin in the coming weeks, pending suitable weather and sea conditions. The hope is that bringing the yacht to the surface will provide crucial insights into how a vessel deemed unsinkable could have met such a tragic fate.
In the meantime, the local community and the families of the victims continue to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy, seeking answers and closure as investigations unfold. The loss of lives in this maritime disaster has left a profound impact, highlighting the risks associated with maritime activities and the need for stringent safety measures.
