Yacht Tragedy Claims Lives of Billionaire and Daughter in Italy

The tragic sinking of the £14 million Bayesian yacht in August 2022 resulted in the deaths of British billionaire Mike Lynch and his teenage daughter, Hannah Lynch. The incident occurred near Porticello, Palermo, when the luxury vessel was struck by severe weather conditions, leading to a swift maritime disaster that left seven people dead.

Angela Bacares, 58, the widow of Lynch, has shared her harrowing experience of the final moments before the yacht sank. In an interview with Italian authorities, she recounted being awakened during the night as the vessel began to tilt. The Bayesian, measuring 184 feet, succumbed within minutes after being battered by high winds, specifically a dangerous downburst that hit while it was anchored.

Ms Bacares described her initial reaction as one of curiosity rather than alarm. “When I sat up in bed, I was not worried, just curious,” she stated. As the storm intensified, objects began sliding around the cabin she shared with her husband. Having weathered a similar storm just weeks earlier in Naples, she felt a sense of calm, believing the situation would improve.

By 04:00 on August 19, 2022, having consulted with the yacht’s captain, James Cutfield, Bacares felt reassured by the crew’s professionalism. Yet, moments later, chaos ensued. “Something catastrophic happened,” she recalled, as 80 mph winds and a tornado-like waterspout caused the yacht to roll onto its side, prompting frantic efforts to escape.

In the aftermath, a total of 22 people were aboard, and despite the desperate rescue attempts, seven lost their lives, including Lynch and Hannah, who was just 18 years old. The rescue operation involved divers who painstakingly searched the wreckage for five days, ultimately recovering the bodies of Lynch and four other guests who had been on board.

The sinking of the Bayesian has drawn scrutiny towards the crew, with Captain Cutfield and others facing investigations for potential negligence. While they deny any wrongdoing, the investigations continue. Ms Bacares has expressed gratitude for the crew’s efforts, emphasizing their calmness during the storm.

As the one-year anniversary of the tragedy approaches, Ms Bacares faces additional challenges. She is now embroiled in a legal battle regarding her late husband’s estate. The UK High Court has ruled that the estate owes Hewlett-Packard over £700 million due to fraud claims arising from the acquisition of Lynch’s former company, Autonomy, in 2011. This ruling has significant implications for her and their surviving daughter, Esme, aged 22, as the estate may be left bankrupt if the judgment is enforced.

Data retrieved from the yacht’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) provides a detailed timeline of the final moments before the sinking. At 03:50, the yacht began to shake violently in the storm, and by 04:05, it had disappeared beneath the waves. An emergency GPS signal was transmitted shortly thereafter, alerting authorities to the disaster.

The tragedy not only highlights the perils of maritime travel during severe weather but also raises questions about accountability and safety regulations in yachting. As investigations unfold, the impact of this event continues to resonate with the families affected and the broader community.