Timeline of the Tragic Sinking of Bayesian Yacht in Sicily

A peaceful evening in the quaint Sicilian fishing village of Porticello was abruptly shattered by a devastating maritime disaster that has sent shockwaves across the globe, particularly resonating here in the UK. The tragedy unfolded with terrifying speed in the early hours of last Monday, leaving a luxury superyacht named the Bayesian at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. Among the casualties was one of Britain’s most prominent tech entrepreneurs, Mike Lynch, whose life and reputation were tragically cut short after a brief reprieve following a lengthy legal battle in the US.

Matteo Cannia, a 78-year-old local fisherman, first sensed that something was amiss as he sat by the sea and noticed sudden flashes of lightning followed by powerful gusts of wind. According to BBC reporter Mark Lowen, Matteo decided to head home as the storm intensified, gradually waking the entire village with its growing ferocity.

At around 04:15 local time, fisherman Fabio Cefalù spotted a distress flare in the distance. Despite the ferocity of the storm, he went out to investigate, only to find floating debris where the super yacht Bayesian had been moored. The 56-metre yacht, had inexplicably sunk in a matter of minutes, leaving behind only cushions and planks of wood as grim reminders of the catastrophe.

The Bayesian was carrying 22 passengers and crew, most of whom were on a peaceful holiday. Among them was British woman Charlotte Golunski, who, with her one-year-old daughter Sophie, was thrown into the dark, turbulent waters. Clutching her baby tightly, Charlotte managed to keep her daughter, Sophie, above water until they were rescued by a nearby sailing boat captain. Her husband, James Golunski, was also among those fortunate enough to be saved. Tragically, others were not as lucky.

The sinking claimed the lives of seven people. Among the deceased were Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah Lynch, Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, Chris and Neda Morvillo, and the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas. The bodies of five victims, including Mike Lynch, were found in the first cabin on the left side of the yacht, where they had likely taken refuge as the vessel began to sink. Hannah Lynch’s body was later found in the third cabin on the same side. Recaldo Thomas, the yacht’s chef, was the first to be discovered near the wreckage, separate from the other victims

Mike Lynch, often referred to as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” had only recently been acquitted in a high-profile US court case, which accused him of fraudulently inflating the value of his company, Autonomy, before its sale to Hewlett-Packard. The yacht trip had been intended as a celebration of his legal victory and a chance to rebuild his reputation.

The sinking of the Bayesian has left many unanswered questions, prompting an intense investigation by both Italian and British authorities. Initial reports suggested that the yacht may have been struck by a downburst—a powerful and unpredictable wind event—rather than the waterspout initially blamed. However, what remains unclear is how the superyacht, a vessel celebrated for its design and stability, could succumb so quickly to the storm when other nearby vessels weathered the same conditions unscathed.

Attention has now turned to the actions of the yacht’s captain, New Zealander James Cutfield, who survived along with eight crew members. While Captain Cutfield has so far made only brief public comments, stating that the storm was unforeseen, experts have raised concerns about potential lapses in protocol. Giovanni Costantino, head of the company that built the Bayesian, suggested that crucial hatches may have been left open, allowing water to flood the vessel. He also questioned why the yacht’s keel, designed to stabilise the ship, had not been deployed during the storm.

These speculations are now central to the investigation. Investigators are scrutinising the crucial 16 minutes between the yacht’s power failure and its disappearance from radar to determine whether errors were made that could have been avoided. The yacht’s black box recorder, once recovered, may provide vital clues in this grim puzzle.

Meanwhile, the recovery operation, which has so far involved over 120 dives and the use of remote-controlled vehicles, has been painstaking and emotionally taxing. The bodies of those trapped inside the yacht were found in air pockets within their cabins, the last desperate refuge during the ship’s final moments. The entire operation has been fraught with difficulty due to the depth and intact state of the wreckage, likened by rescuers to an “18-storey building full of water.”

As the investigation continues, the small village of Porticello is slowly returning to its quiet routine, but the impact of the tragedy lingers. For the survivors, the families of the victims, and those involved in the rescue and recovery, the scars of this event will take a long time to heal. The maritime world, too, watches closely, waiting for answers that could prevent such a disaster from happening again.

A timeline of the events leading to the tragic sinking of Bayesian off the coast of Sicily:

Sunday, 18 August 2024 – Evening:

• The Bayesian, a 56-metre luxury superyacht owned by British tech mogul Mike Lynch, is anchored off the coast of Porticello, Sicily. Passengers on board include Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah Lynch, Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, Chris and Neda Morvillo, and several others, enjoying a peaceful holiday.

Monday, 19 August 2024 – Early Morning:

• 03:50 AM: The first signs of trouble begin as a sudden and violent storm hits the area. Meteorological experts later identify this as a downburst; a powerful and unpredictable wind event.
• 03:56 AM: The power on the Bayesian fails, indicating that water is likely flooding parts of the yacht where electrical circuits are located.
• 04:06 AM: The yacht sinks within 16 minutes, disappearing from radar. Most passengers are asleep when the storm hits, and the yacht capsizes and sinks rapidly, giving little time for an effective evacuation.
• 05:00 AM: The first rescue operations begin. Fisherman Fabio Cefalù, who noticed a distress flare, finds floating debris but no sign of the yacht. Italian Coast Guard and rescue teams are alerted, and a search begins. Fifteen people are rescued, including Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter, Sophie, who were thrown into the sea.

Monday, 19 August 2024 – Afternoon:

• The body of Recaldo Thomas, the yacht’s chef, is recovered near the wreckage, confirming the first fatality.

Tuesday, 20 August 2024:

• The search continues for the six remaining missing individuals, including Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah. Divers attempt to access the wreckage at a depth of 50 meters but are hindered by limited access and obstructions like furniture.
• Italian Coast Guard and Vigili del Fuoco (fire and rescue service) describe the operation as complex, with divers limited to short, 12-minute shifts underwater due to the depth and the confined spaces within the wreck.

Wednesday, 21 August 2024:

• Afternoon: Divers finally gain access to the yacht’s interior and discover five bodies trapped inside. They are identified as Mike Lynch, Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, Chris and Neda Morvillo, and Hannah Lynch. However, only four bodies are brought to the surface that day.
• The recovery operation is halted for the night due to safety concerns and resumes the next morning.

Thursday, 22 August 2024:

• The body of the fifth missing person is recovered in the morning. Emotional tributes begin pouring in for the victims, particularly Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, as their identities are confirmed.

Friday, 23 August 2024:

• Morning: The final body, that of 18-year-old Hannah Lynch, is recovered from the wreck. The Italian Coast Guard compares the sunken yacht to an “18-storey building full of water,” highlighting the difficulty and emotional toll of the recovery effort.

Saturday, 24 August 2024:

• The Italian authorities officially announce the end of the recovery operation. A manslaughter investigation is launched to determine the exact cause of the sinking and whether any actions by the crew contributed to the disaster.

This tragic sequence of events has left many questions unanswered, and the investigation continues as both Italian and British authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the rapid sinking of the Bayesian​.

For official updates and details on the ongoing investigation into the Bayesian yacht sinking, you can visit the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) website.