Photo Credit: APNews
Salvage teams successfully elevate the 56 m superyacht Bayesian off Sicily for forensic examination
A sophisticated offshore salvage operation has brought the British‑flagged superyacht Bayesian back to the surface near Porticello, Sicily, nearly ten months after it capsized during a violent downburst last August. The sleek 56 metre (184‑foot) Perini Navi vessel, once branded “unsinkable,” was lifted from approximately 50 metres underwater on Friday by TMC Maritime and Dutch salvage partner Hebo Maritiemservice, utilizing steel slings, a powerful floating crane, and extensive stabilisation measures.
The recovery took place in carefully staged phases over several days, beginning with the removal of the yacht’s 72‑metre aluminium mast using a remote‑controlled cutting tool. Eight reinforced steel lifting straps were positioned beneath the keel, enabling the stable elevation of the mud‑encrusted hull.
As the hull rose, seawater was steadily pumped out to prevent structural stress, ensuring the vessel remained upright on the floating crane. Teams then held the craft aloft for further inspection and preparation for transit. The next stage will involve transporting the yacht to Termini Imerese, where it will be secured in a custom‑built cradle for forensic examination.
The Bayesian sank on August 19, 2024, during a sudden and fierce storm off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo. Nineteen people were aboard to celebrate tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch’s recent acquittal on U.S. fraud charges, including Lynch and his 18‑year‑old daughter, both among the seven who died in the tragedy. Fifteen survivors, including crew and guests, recount that wind gusts exceeded 70 knots and capsized the yacht in under 15 seconds.
A preliminary report by the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch found that the yacht had undisclosed stability vulnerabilities, exacerbated by its towering mast and potential open hatches and vents—issues not flagged in its original documentation. Survivors and investigators raised concerns about whether openings were left unsecured, further undermining its stability.
Italian prosecutors have launched a manslaughter investigation focusing on the captain and two crew members, and forensic examiners await the raised hull to uncover vital technical and structural evidence.
The salvage operation, estimated at around US $30 million, required cutting‑edge marine engineering, including remote‑controlled cutting systems and one of Europe’s largest floating cranes. Tragically, a Dutch diver died in May while preparing the rigging, prompting stricter safety protocols and a temporary suspension of work.
Experts, including veteran Captain Nick Sloane, who led the Costa Concordia salvage, emphasize that the operation treated the Bayesian as a marine grave. Teams monitored for pollution, identified weak rigging points, and prioritised preserving the much‑needed evidence for the ongoing investigation.
Once docked at Termini Imerese, the superyacht will undergo detailed structural and forensic inspections, focusing on design features, open hatches, vents, and the condition of the keel and hull. The findings will inform both the criminal proceedings and broader maritime safety standards. Families of the deceased await closure, while engineers and investigators work to ensure that lessons from this tragedy prompt stronger safety protocols for superyachts worldwide.
