In brief
A diver was killed while working on the recovery of the Bayesian vessel, which sank off Sicily last August, claiming seven lives. The operation, involving European specialists, aims to recover the yacht under scrutiny for its unexpected sinking during a storm.
A diver has tragically lost his life during the preliminary recovery efforts of British tech mogul Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht, the Bayesian, off the northern coast of Sicily, as confirmed by local police. The incident occurred underwater in Porticello on Friday, with authorities yet to ascertain the exact cause of death. Reports from local Italian news suggest the diver was a 39-year-old Dutch national affiliated with a specialized salvage company.The recovery process has been complex and comes nearly a year after the Bayesian sank during severe weather conditions in August 2022, resulting in the deaths of seven out of 22 individuals on board, including Lynch, aged 59, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. Other prominent victims included Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife, along with several other passengers, underscoring the tragic nature of the disaster.Fifteen survivors managed to escape on a lifeboat during the initial incident, including Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, and a one-year-old child. Investigations are ongoing to determine why a yacht of Baylor's stature succumbed to the storm so rapidly, as experts believe it should have maintained integrity.The salvage operation is under the guidance of British marine consultancy TMC Marine, with the collaboration of Dutch firms Hebo and SMIT Salvage, alongside local Italian divers. Approximately 70 experts from across Europe have been deployed to assist in the recovery.In recent updates, salvage teams reported progress in on-site preparations, with plans to raise the Bayesian underway, contingent on favorable weather. To facilitate the process, the vessel will first be stabilized with steel slings for a successful lift to the surface after detaching significant rigging and the towering mast.As investigations proceed, there have been no signs of pollution from the sunken yacht, with ongoing efforts to secure its tank vents. In the UK, inquest proceedings are examining the tragic losses of Lynch and his daughter, alongside other British nationals affected by this calamity. Lynch, known for founding software company Autonomy, was acquitted of fraud allegations a year prior to the sailing, marking the ill-fated journey as a celebration of his legal victory.
