Italian authorities announced on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, that they would begin the recovery of the superyacht "Bayesian," which sank off the coast of Sicily last year, resulting in the tragic deaths of British tech mogul Mike Lynch and six others. The operation is set to commence this weekend, with the first recovery equipment expected to arrive on May 3, and it is anticipated to last between 20 to 25 days.
The "Bayesian," a luxury 56-metre (185-foot) yacht, was struck by a pre-dawn storm on August 19, 2024, while anchored off Porticello, near Palermo. The yacht sank within minutes, claiming the lives of Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, and five other individuals. Among the deceased were Jonathan Bloomer, the 70-year-old president of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife Judy, both British, as well as American lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda, along with Canadian citizen Recaldo Thomas, who worked as a cook on the boat.
The Italian Coast Guard reported that the recovery will be conducted by specialized contractors using a "special floating crane" designed for lifting heavy loads. Before the yacht is raised, the mast will be cut for safety reasons, as stated in the Coast Guard's announcement. Once the yacht is brought to the surface, it will be handed over to judicial authorities.
Currently, inquests into the deaths of the five British victims are being held in Ipswich, England. Concurrently, prosecutors in Termini Imerese, Italy, have opened investigations into the captain and three others on suspicion of manslaughter and negligent shipwreck. The yacht now rests on its side on the seabed, approximately 50 meters below the surface.
The recovery efforts will involve significant logistical measures, including a prohibition on maritime activities within a 650-meter radius of the wreck site for safety. The operations are estimated to cost around $30 million and will be carried out under the constant supervision of the Palermo Maritime Authority, with support from various Italian police agencies.
As the recovery operation approaches, the tragic incident continues to draw media attention, particularly due to the profiles of the victims and the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Lynch, a prominent figure in the technology sector and founder of the software firm Autonomy, had recently invited friends and family aboard the yacht to celebrate his acquittal in a high-profile U.S. fraud case.
The investigations into the shipwreck are expected to clarify the events leading up to the tragedy and hold accountable those responsible for the safety of the yacht and its passengers. The legal proceedings in both the UK and Italy are likely to unfold over the coming months, as families seek answers and justice for their loved ones.
With the recovery operation set to begin shortly, families and friends of the victims are hopeful that raising the yacht will provide closure and potentially shed light on the events of that fateful night. The tragic loss of life has sparked discussions about maritime safety regulations and the responsibilities of yacht operators, especially in adverse weather conditions.
As the world awaits the outcome of the recovery efforts, the memory of those lost in the sinking of the "Bayesian" remains vivid in the minds of loved ones and the broader community. The hope is that this operation not only brings the yacht back to the surface but also brings some measure of peace to those grieving the loss of their family members.
