Bayesian superyacht seen on surface for first time since August sinking that killed 7 people
The British superyacht which sank sunk off the coast of Sicily last year was lifted from the water on Saturday as part of a complex recovery operation to bring the yacht ashore for further investigation.
Seven people died when the Bayesian sank off the Italian island on August 19, including billionaire Mr Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18.
The white and blue 56-metre (184ft) yacht was seen being held in an upright position by one of Europe’s most powerful sea cranes near the fishing town of Porticello on Saturday morning.
On Friday recovery crews were able to pull the yacht to the surface but only the passenger area was visible.
The Bayesian was fully raised above the surface momentarily where a propeller, rudder and keel could be seen befoe being lowered again as part of efforts to adjust the slings.
“The hull of the superyacht Bayesian has today been successfully and safely recovered from the sea off the coast of northern Sicily," said TMC Maritime, the company conducting the recovery. “This follows a delicate lifting procedure that began early today.”
TMC added that the hull will continue to be held “in an elevated position to allow expert salvage personnel to complete checks and preparations” ahead of its transportation into the Sicilian port of Termini Imerese on Sunday.
Earlir, salvage workers could be seen on the vessel, which is covered in mud and algae, while the canopy and guard rails are mangled.
Salvage workers said there was 18,000 litres of fuel on board. Michele Maltese, of the Italian Coastguard, told reporters on Saturday that thermal cameras are being used to check for any potential fuel leaks.
A local law investigator is also at the scene, he said.
The full word “Bayesian” could be seen on the stern of the yacht, and a ladder which Italian Coastguard officials say was originally on the yacht to allow passengers to disembark was seen cracked and pointed upwards on the starboard side.
Also visible on the top deck was the stump of the mast. The rest of the Mast was cut off on Tuesday and rested on the seabed where a balloon-like will be used to lift the remaining mast.
British and Italian investigators are raising the vessel to fully understand what happened the night it sank.
It was originally expected to be raised last month, but salvage efforts were delayed after a diver died during underwater work on May 9, prompting greater use of remote-controlled equipment.
Inquest proceedings in the UK are looking at the deaths of Mr Lynch and his daughter, as well as Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his wife, Judy Bloomer, 71, who were all British nationals.
Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigators said in an interim report the Bayesian was knocked over by “extreme wind”.
The yacht had a vulnerability to winds, but the owner and crew would not have known, the report said.
US lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, and Canadian-Antiguan national Recaldo Thomas, who was working as a chef on the vessel, also died in the sinking.
Fifteen people, including Mr Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, were rescued.
Mr Lynch and his daughter were said to have lived in the vicinity of London and the Bloomers lived in Sevenoaks in Kent.
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