Tragic events unfolded during the recovery efforts of the ill-fated Bayesian, which sank last August. A Dutch salvage diver died while working underwater, with investigations underway to determine the cause. This tragedy adds to the previous loss of life when the superyacht sank during severe weather, taking the lives of seven people, including Lynch and his daughter.
Diver Fatally Injured in Recovery of Tech Tycoon’s Sunken Superyacht
Diver Fatally Injured in Recovery of Tech Tycoon’s Sunken Superyacht
A Dutch diver lost his life during salvage operations for the sunken yacht of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch off the Sicilian coast.
The recovery mission is being led by international marine specialists, with an extensive team mobilized for the operation. Preparations for raising the yacht to the surface are reportedly on track, despite previous tragedies surrounding the vessel.
The article text:
A diver has died during preliminary operations to recover British tech tycoon Mike Lynch's superyacht from the waters off the coast of northern Sicily, local police reported. The awful incident occurred on Friday while he was underwater in Porticello, with authorities still determining the specific cause of death.
The diver, identified as a 39-year-old Dutch national, was associated with a specialist salvage company. This accident follows the sinking of the Bayesian vessel last August during severe weather conditions, where seven out of 22 onboard tragically lost their lives, including Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.
Among the deceased were Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his wife Judy, 71. Other victims included U.S. lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda, and the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas, originally from Antigua. Fifteen people, including a one-year-old and Lynch's wife Angela Bacares, managed to escape via lifeboat. The investigation into the cause of the sinking is ongoing, with naval experts suggesting that a yacht of Bayesian’s caliber should have weathered the storm more effectively.
The salvage operation is being coordinated by British marine consultancy TMC Marine, with Dutch firms Hebo and SMIT Salvage leading the project alongside Italian specialists. Around 70 personnel from various European countries have been deployed to help recover the yacht.
Recent reports from the salvage team indicated that significant progress was being made during site preparations. No noticeable changes to the yacht's condition were observed since the latest inspection, allowing plans to raise it to proceed. Efforts to position the Bayesian upright and lift it to the surface are slated to commence later this month, weather permitting.
In preparation for the lifting, the yacht will be secured with steel slings to facilitate the detachment of its extensive rigging and a 72-meter mast, believed to be among the tallest in the world. This rigging will be stored on the sea floor and retrieved after the primary hull recovery, identified as crucial evidence for the investigation.
Fortunately, no pollution from the yacht has been reported, and monitoring measures are in place to secure its tank vents and openings. Concurrently, inquest proceedings are underway in the UK into the deaths of Mr. Lynch and his daughter, alongside Mr. and Mrs. Bloomer, all British nationals. Mr. Lynch, who founded the software giant Autonomy in 1996, was formerly acquitted of fraud charges related to the company’s sale to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011. The fateful boat trip was reportedly a celebration of his recent acquittal in the U.S.
The article text:
A diver has died during preliminary operations to recover British tech tycoon Mike Lynch's superyacht from the waters off the coast of northern Sicily, local police reported. The awful incident occurred on Friday while he was underwater in Porticello, with authorities still determining the specific cause of death.
The diver, identified as a 39-year-old Dutch national, was associated with a specialist salvage company. This accident follows the sinking of the Bayesian vessel last August during severe weather conditions, where seven out of 22 onboard tragically lost their lives, including Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.
Among the deceased were Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his wife Judy, 71. Other victims included U.S. lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda, and the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas, originally from Antigua. Fifteen people, including a one-year-old and Lynch's wife Angela Bacares, managed to escape via lifeboat. The investigation into the cause of the sinking is ongoing, with naval experts suggesting that a yacht of Bayesian’s caliber should have weathered the storm more effectively.
The salvage operation is being coordinated by British marine consultancy TMC Marine, with Dutch firms Hebo and SMIT Salvage leading the project alongside Italian specialists. Around 70 personnel from various European countries have been deployed to help recover the yacht.
Recent reports from the salvage team indicated that significant progress was being made during site preparations. No noticeable changes to the yacht's condition were observed since the latest inspection, allowing plans to raise it to proceed. Efforts to position the Bayesian upright and lift it to the surface are slated to commence later this month, weather permitting.
In preparation for the lifting, the yacht will be secured with steel slings to facilitate the detachment of its extensive rigging and a 72-meter mast, believed to be among the tallest in the world. This rigging will be stored on the sea floor and retrieved after the primary hull recovery, identified as crucial evidence for the investigation.
Fortunately, no pollution from the yacht has been reported, and monitoring measures are in place to secure its tank vents and openings. Concurrently, inquest proceedings are underway in the UK into the deaths of Mr. Lynch and his daughter, alongside Mr. and Mrs. Bloomer, all British nationals. Mr. Lynch, who founded the software giant Autonomy in 1996, was formerly acquitted of fraud charges related to the company’s sale to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011. The fateful boat trip was reportedly a celebration of his recent acquittal in the U.S.
