Bayesian: ‘One minute the vessel was there, the next it was gone’

The luxury yacht Bayesian. (Image courtesy of Perini Navi).

The search for survivors is continuing after the luxury yacht Bayesian, capsized in a storm off Sicily on Monday. Matthew Schanck, chairperson, Maritime Search and Rescue Council (MSRC) said a yacht captain in the same anchorage told him: “One minute the vessel was there, and the next it was gone.”  

Schanck told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme: “My first concern was for the people on board and the safety of these vessels. This is a very advanced modern commercial vessel. To suffer such a catastrophic failure and sinking is a real concern.”

Built by Italian yacht builder Perini Navi, the 184ft (56m) Bayesian was said to have one of the tallest masts of any sailing yacht. This could have been linked to the accident, according to Shank.

“Hearing eyewitness accounts of the vessel heeling over all the way to waterline, indicates there’s a mast with a lot of windage there,” said Schanck. “Even though the sails were more than likely stowed, the actual mast and the other equipment above the waterline almost acts as a sail – especially being so stormy.” This could have helped push the vessel to the waterline, he added.

Survivors were reported to have entered a life raft from the water and set off a red distress flair. This suggested the yacht sank very quickly allowing no time for the people to board the life raft from the boat, he said.

The sinking has been linked to a waterspout, or tornado phenomenon striking the vessel. While there were warnings of intense thunderstorms in the area at the time, Schanck of MSRC, said waterspouts are “still incredibly rare events”.

Meanwhile, one person is confirmed to have died and 15 people were rescued from a life raft. Among six people missing from the vessel are: UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah. Also reported missing are: Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo.

The British-flagged vessel, with 10 crew and 12 passengers, sank near the port of Porticello, near Palermo, Sicily.

The Italian Sea Group, the owner of Perini Navi, has been approached for comment.