Mike Lynch’s Superyacht Capsized by Extreme Wind, Killing 7, Report Reveals
An interim investigation has revealed that the superyacht owned by UK tech billionaire Mike Lynch was knocked over by violent winds exceeding 80mph, leading to the deaths of seven people—including Lynch and his teenage daughter.
The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), which is leading the probe into the August 2024 disaster, says the 56-meter vessel The Bayesian capsized within seconds after being struck by a sudden storm near Porticello, Sicily.
Yacht Tipped at 90 Degrees in 15 Seconds
The MAIB report details that The Bayesian was hit at 04:06 am local time, tilting to a 90-degree angle within 15 seconds, flinging people, furniture, and objects across the deck. Within moments, water rushed in through the starboard rails and stairwells, overwhelming the yacht’s interior.
The situation became “irrecoverable” once the vessel tilted beyond 70 degrees, said Andrew Moll, MAIB’s chief inspector. Notably, the report also states the yacht was vulnerable to tipping at winds as low as 73mph, a detail not included in the onboard stability manual—meaning the crew had no warning of its instability in such conditions.
Sudden Weather Shift and Missed Warnings
The yacht had anchored in the area to shelter from storms, with weather conditions appearing manageable at 03:00 am—just an hour before disaster struck. Wind speeds accelerated rapidly from 9mph to over 80mph, flipping the yacht before the crew could reposition or fully secure systems.
As conditions worsened, crew members worked to close windows and hatches. One was thrown overboard. Others were injured by falling debris. Two guests used furniture drawers as ladders to escape their cabin. A rescue effort was launched by another yacht in the vicinity, saving 15 people using a life raft.
Victims and Ongoing Investigation
Among the seven victims were:
- Mike Lynch, 59, UK tech tycoon
- Hannah Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter
- Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, British nationals and senior executives
- Chris and Neda Morvillo, a US lawyer and his wife
- Recaldo Thomas, the yacht’s chef and a Canadian-Antiguan national
Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, survived.
The wreck recovery was temporarily paused after a diver died during efforts to raise the yacht from the seabed. Work is expected to resume shortly, but a criminal investigation in Italy is limiting access to key evidence. A final report has yet to be scheduled.
Expert: Crew Acted Correctly, But Yacht Was Outmatched
Dr. Simon Boxall, an oceanographer at the University of Southampton, said the crew took the right steps—closing hatches, starting engines, and lifting anchor—but The Bayesian was simply in “the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“The scale of the vessel means you can’t just turn the key like a car—it takes time,” he explained.
Legacy of Mike Lynch
Mike Lynch was hailed as Britain’s answer to Bill Gates, having backed numerous tech ventures. However, the final years of his life were overshadowed by a high-profile legal battle and extradition to the U.S. over fraud allegations.
Summary:
The sinking of The Bayesian was triggered by unpredictable extreme wind, leaving the vessel no time to recover. As investigations continue, the tragedy raises questions about superyacht stability, weather preparedness, and legal accountability for passenger safety at sea.
