Diver dies during work to recover tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s superyacht which sunk off coast of Sicily
A diver who was working on the recovery of tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s sunken superyacht has died during underwater work in Sicily, it is understood.
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The man, believed to be a diver for Dutch firm SMIT Salvage, died on Friday and an investigation will look into what happened, the PA news agency has learned.
The 56-metre (184ft) British-flagged luxury yacht sank during what appears to have been a sudden downburst, or localised powerful wind from a thunderstorm that spreads rapidly after hitting the surface.
Billionaire entrepreneur Dr Lynch, 59, his daughter Hannah Lynch, 18, Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his 71-year-old wife Judy Bloomer were among seven people who died in the sinking.
The vessel is resting at a depth of 50 metres (164ft) after it sank off the coast of the Italian island on August 19.
About 70 specialist personnel had been mobilised to the fishing village Porticello from across Europe to work on the recovery operation, which began earlier this week.
Work to move the Bayesian into an upright position and lift it to the surface was due to begin in under two weeks, subject to suitable weather and sea conditions.
British marine consultancy TMC Marine, which is overseeing the operation to raise the vessel, has been approached for comment.
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.
The others who died in the sinking were US lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, and Canadian-Antiguan national Recaldo Thomas, who was working as a chef on the vessel.
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.
The tycoon founded software giant Autonomy in 1996 and was cleared in June last year of carrying out a massive fraud over the sale of the firm to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.
The boat trip was a celebration of his acquittal in the case in the US.