UK Tech Tycoon Mike Lynch’s Superyacht Sinks Off Sicily Due to Extreme Wind

An interim report by the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found that the superyacht Bayesian, owned by British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, was vulnerable to extreme winds which caused it to capsize off the coast of Sicily, killing Lynch, his daughter, and five others. The vessel, 56 meters long, was hit by sudden gusts exceeding 70 knots (80 mph), tipping it to a 90-degree angle in under 15 seconds, leading to rapid flooding and an irrecoverable situation once the heel exceeded 70 degrees. Investigators noted that this vulnerability to strong winds was not documented in the yacht's onboard stability information book, and therefore unknown to the owner and crew. The yacht's raised centreboard and its unusually tall 72-meter aluminum mast contributed significantly to its susceptibility to wind forces. The incident occurred while the yacht was moored near Porticello and was in a motoring condition with sails stowed. The MAIB investigation faces challenges due to limited access to evidence amid an ongoing Italian criminal inquiry, and salvage operations were temporarily paused following a diver's death.