Tech tycoon Mike Lynch's luxury superyacht Bayesian which sunk off coast of Sicily to be raised from seabed

28 January 2025, 11:11 | Updated: 28 January 2025, 11:50

Tech tycoon Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht will likely be raised from the seabed in spring
Tech tycoon Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht will likely be raised from the seabed in spring. Picture: Alamy

By Flaminia Luck

Tech tycoon Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht will likely be raised from the seabed in spring, it is understood.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Bayesian, which sank off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, in August last year, is set to be retrieved before the summer season starts, the PA news agency has learned.

Prosecutors have said raising and examining the yacht for evidence would provide key elements to the investigation into possible manslaughter and negligent shipwreck launched days after the sinking.

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).

Divers of the Italian Corps of firefighters enter Porticello harbor near Palermo
Divers of the Italian Corps of firefighters enter Porticello harbor near Palermo. Picture: Getty
The body of one of the victims of the Bayesian sinking is transported for CT scans
The body of one of the victims of the Bayesian sinking is transported for CT scans. Picture: Alamy

Plans to raise the boat have taken longer than expected and Italian authorities, including the coastguard and the prosecutor's office, will review them before giving the green light.

Environmental authorities in Italy must also agree to the plan, it is understood.

The Italian coastguard has been monitoring the sea to make sure there are no fuel leaks from the yacht's tank, a spokesman said.

In August, Maritime director of western Sicily Rear Admiral Raffaele Macauda told a press conference that Bayesian's owner, now Dr Lynch's widow Angela Bacares, will bear the full cost of retrieval, although he could not estimate the figure or how long it would take.

Prosecutors are investigating the captain and two crew members for possible responsibility in connection with the sinking.

Read more: UK population set to hit 72.5 million by 2032 up almost five million from 2022, new ONS figures reveal

Read more: 'Shine a spotlight on stories of strength:' Harry makes impassioned plea for awards nominations

Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah
Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, 19, died on the vessel. Picture: Social media

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.

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.

Fifteen people, including Dr Lynch's wife Ms Bacares, were rescued.

Dr Lynch had 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.

Rescue teams operate off Porticello harbour near Palermo
Rescue teams operate off Porticello harbour near Palermo. Picture: Getty
A waterspout hits a yacht moored off the coast. The Bayesian sank
The luxury yacht sank during what appears to have been a sudden downburst, or localised powerful wind from a thunderstorm. Picture: Alamy

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Joanne Sharkey pictured outside court

Woman who suffocated her newborn baby and left his body in woods in 1998 given suspended sentence

Breaking
Breaking News

China announces additional 34% tariffs on US imports in retaliation over Trump's 'Liberation Day' levies

'NHS dentistry is broken', says MP.

'NHS dentistry is broken': Plan to boost service has ‘resulted in worsening the picture’, say MPs

Breaking
Dr Livia Tossici-Bolt at Poole Magistrates' Court

Anti-abortion campaigner guilty of breaching buffer zone outside UK clinic

Britain's cheapest supermarket revealed.

Britain's cheapest supermarket revealed - see the full ranking

Whitney Ainscough has claimed to make almost £500,000 a year by showing people how to exploit the benefits system.

Fury as benefits 'influencers' tell people how to 'game' the system - with one woman claiming to make £500k a year

Older people are less likely to be given antibiotics for common infections by their GP compared with younger adults, a new study suggests.

Elderly people less likely to be given antibiotics despite higher risk, study says

Friends of Prince Andrew say he's "unsurprised" Giuffre made the post

Prince Andrew 'not surprised' his accuser shared shock post saying she had 'four days to live'

Westminster Council is offering staff an online ‘privilege walk’ quiz

'Britain’s wokest council' tells staff to take quiz to check their privilege

Exclusive
Wayne Newman, a pest control expert from OP Kill Pest Control.

'It's a losing battle': On the road with Birmingham's pest control as they tackle city's rat infestation amid bin strike

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as impeachment upheld over martial law declaration

NHS hospitals and buildings are plagued by rats, cockroaches, silverfish and other pests, results from the latest staff survey have revealed.

Hospital of horrors: NHS 'plagued by rats and cockroaches' as well as 'sewage leaks and crumbling ceilings'

Sadiq Khan will get new powers to overrule councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Boost for London's nightlife as Khan goes to war with local councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen to put out seven 'lost' albums of unreleased songs

Val Kilmer & Tom Cruise in Top Gun

Tom Cruise breaks silence on 'dear friend' Val Kilmer's death with emotional tribute to Top Gun co-star

Virginia Giuffre

Woman driving Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre during crash that left her with 'four days to live' breaks silence