Specialists Begin Intricate Recovery of Sunken Superyacht Near Sicily, Seven Lives Lost

ROME – On Sunday, marine salvage professionals initiated the task of retrieving the British-flagged superyacht “Bayesian” from the seabed off Sicily’s coast, where it sank last summer, resulting in the death of UK tech mogul Mike Lynch, his daughter, and five additional individuals.

The recovery effort is being undertaken by two floating cranes: “Hebo Lift 2,” equipped with remotely operated underwater tools and vehicles, and “Hebo Lift 10,” renowned as one of Europe’s most powerful maritime cranes, which arrived Saturday at the Sicilian port of Termini Imerese from Rotterdam.

The Italian coast guard is overseeing the operations, ensuring security by patrolling the area. The entire process of extracting the Bayesian could span 20 to 25 days, after which judicial authorities will inspect the wreck to investigate the cause of the sinking.

Prosecutors are investigating the captain and two crew members for possible responsibility in connection with the Aug. 19, 2024, sinking. The 56-meter (183-foot)-long, 473-ton yacht sank during what appears to have been a sudden downburst, or localized powerful wind from a thunderstorm that spreads rapidly after hitting the surface.

The yacht’s 75-meter (246-foot) aluminum mast — the second tallest in the world — will be cut to allow the hull, which lies 49 meters (160 feet) below the surface, to be brought to the surface more easily, said coast guard Capt. Nicola Silvestri.

In addition to Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and wife Judy, attorney Chris Morvillo and wife Neda, and ship’s cook Recaldo Thomas died in the shipwreck.

With the help of nearby vessels, 15 of the 22 people were rescued in the initial phase, one body was recovered, and six others reported missing. The bodies of the six missing people were found following long and complex search efforts, which continued until Aug. 23.