Sink No More: The Unsinkable Luxury Yacht "Bayesian"
High-end watercraft 'Bayesian' will be retrieved by June's end. - High-end yacht "Bayesian" to undergo salvage operation by the end of June.
The luxury vessel known as the "Bayesian" sank off the coast of Sicily a year ago, and now, it's ready to surface again by the end of June. The British salvage company TMC Marine confirmed this plan after a meeting with Palermo authorities, as reported by Italian news agency Ansa.
This yacht, considered unsinkable, met its watery demise during a fierce storm near Porticello on Sicily's north coast in August 2024. Tragically, seven souls were lost, including British business mogul Mike Lynch and his daughter.
A diver's untimely demise delayed the salvage
The salvage mission involves some technical hurdles. First, the stern of the 56-meter-long yacht needs to be slightly raised, allowing heavy steel cables to be fitted beneath the hull. Then, the 72-meter-high mast will be sawed off. Once that's done, the entire yacht can be hoisted out of the water and transported to dry land.
The salvage operation was initially slated for last month, but it came to a halt following a fatal accident on May 9, 2025. A Dutch diver met his end while working on the wreck. Ansa reports that an investigation into negligent homicide is in progress. Since then, several tasks have been handed over to remotely operated underwater robots. Yet, the salvage company insists that some tasks still require human divers.
Recovered parts and a focus on safety
Specialist teams have recovered a total of 17 loose items around the "Bayesian", including a hull from the lifeboat, deck furniture, an anchor, and the main boom.
TMC Marine emphasizes the safety of people and the environment as the top priority during the salvage operation. Approximately 18,000 liters of fuel are stored in the wreck, but no environmental contamination has been detected so far. The seabed will continue to be monitored.
- Bayesian
- Sicily
- Luxury Yacht
- Palermo
- Fatal Accident
- Ansa
- Storm
- Mike Lynch
Dive In: Technical Complexities
- Depth and Time Limitations: The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 50 meters, meaning divers can only spend a limited time on the seabed. The operation demands careful planning to maintain safety and efficiency.
- Salvage Strategy and Equipment: The salvage plan requires specialized equipment like the Hebo-Lift 10. To lift the yacht, eight main steel lifting cables need to be installed under the hull as part of a unique lifting system. Precision cutting tools are essential to remove the 72-meter mast before hoisting the yacht.
- Debris Recovery and Pollution Control: A 360-degree seabed survey using remotely operated submersibles is conducted to identify and recover debris from the wreck. So far, no pollution has been detected, but anti-pollution measures continue.
Dive Deeper: The Tragic Tale
- Sinking Incident: The yacht sank due to hurricane-force winds reaching 70 knots during a sudden storm. The vessel heeled over 90 degrees in just 15 seconds, causing its rapid submission. An investigation by the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) revealed design flaws, particularly when the centerboard was raised, contributing to the yacht's instability.
- Diving Incident: On May 9, 2025, a 39-year-old Dutch diver perished during salvage operations. The tragic event occurred while the team was dismantling the yacht's mast. Italian authorities are investigating this incident, leading to the suspension of salvage activities.
- Authority Investigations: Both the initial sinking and the ensuing diving incident are under investigation by relevant authorities. The MAIB report pointed out a lack of understanding of the yacht's vulnerabilities among the crew and the absence of detailed stability information that could have prevented the catastrophe.
- Amidst the planned resurfacing of the "Bayesian" luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily by the end of June, an ongoing investigation into the fatal accident involving a Dutch diver during the salvage operation is in progress.
- As the "Bayesian" salvage mission involves raising the stern, installing steel cables beneath the hull, and cutting off the 72-meter mast before hoisting, the operation demands careful planning to ensure both safety and efficiency at a depth of about 50 meters.
- In addition to the recent dip in divers' activities, specialist teams responsible for the salvage operation have already recovered various parts such as a lifeboat hull, deck furniture, an anchor, and the main boom, despite the significance of maintaining environmental health and safety during the process.
