In brief
The recovery process for the sunken Bayesian vessel, which lost seven lives during its sinking last August, will now face further delays after this unfortunate incident.
A tragic incident unfolded off the northern coast of Sicily, as a diver working on the recovery of British tech millionaire Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht, the Bayesian, has lost his life. According to local police reports, the accident took place last Friday in the waters of Porticello. The diver, a 39-year-old Dutch national employed by a specialist salvage company, was engaged in underwater operations at the time, and the precise cause of his death remains unclear.The salvage operation commenced earlier this month as ships arrived to recover the Bayesian after it sank in harsh weather conditions last August. The vessel's disastrous journey claimed the lives of seven individuals, including Lynch, aged 59, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, among others. Those who were able to escape included fifteen people, including Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, and a one-year-old child.An ongoing investigation is still trying to ascertain the specifics behind the sinking. Naval experts have raised questions as to how a yacht of the Bayesian's stature could succumb so quickly during a storm. The recovery efforts are being managed by British marine consultancy TMC Marine alongside Dutch salvage companies Hebo and SMIT Salvage, in coordination with local Italian specialists. Approximately 70 personnel from various European nations have been deployed to assist with the recovery process. Recent updates from the salvage operation indicated that preparations were on track, and pertinent checks of the boat and surrounding seabed confirmed that its condition had remained stable since the last inspection. Plans are set to raise the yacht, contingent on favorable weather conditions, and securing it will involve pumping out seawater before the vessel is lifted to the surface.In terms of logistics, the yacht will be stabilized by placing steel slings around it, while workers intelligently detach the vessel's intricate rigging and towering mast, believed to be among the tallest globally. The subsequent collection of these components from the seabed is a critical step in the raising operation.There have been no reports of pollution stemming from the yacht, as safety measures are enacted to monitor tank vents and openings. In the UK, an ongoing inquest relates to the deaths of Lynch and his daughter, both British nationals who lived near London. Lynch, known for founding the software giant Autonomy, had celebrated his recent legal acquittal with the yacht trip prior to the tragedy.
