An interim report on the sinking of a superyacht that killed seven people off the coast of Sicily said the container was “vulnerable” to strong winds.
British investigators say there is likely to be a sudden, powerful explosion of wind behind the overthrow of a superyacht owned by British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, which sank from Sicily last year.
Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hanna, were among those who died when the 56-meter Bayesian was overturned early on August 19th.
In a preliminary report released Thursday, the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Division (MAIB) found the vessels to be “vulnerable” to strong winds. The report noted that the vulnerability is unknown to yacht owners and crews.
The agency launched the probe as Bayesian was registered in the UK. However, continuing criminal investigations by Italian authorities have confirmed that access to important evidence remains limited.
British reports suggest that Bayesians had been moved to what was considered a safer location in anticipation of a thunderstorm the day before the accident. However, around 4:06am local time, the container was in motor condition, the sails were stored and the central board rose, causing winds to hit more than 70 knots (81 mph), resulting in a cap size within seconds.
“When the wind is pushing the container, there is stability in the container that will try to stand upright again,” said Simon Graves, an investigator at Myve. “Our research found that Bayesians are vulnerable to strong winds and that these winds are likely to be present at the time of an accident.”
Among the other victims were Jonathan and Judy Bloomer (British citizens), Chris and Neda Morvillo from the US, and Ricardo Thomas, anti-guan chef from Canada. Fifteen people survived, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares.
Efforts to restore the yacht have been stagnant since May 9, when the diver was killed during surgery. Salvage work resumed on Thursday. Graves said the final report would cover additional factors, such as escape routes and those that took place on board.
“There’s still something to be revealed,” he said. “Once you access the yacht itself, you can draw a richer picture of the timeline and decisions.”
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