Dutch Company Salvages Sunken British Superyacht Near Sicily

Dutch Company Salvages Sunken British Superyacht Near Sicily

The British superyacht Bayesian, which sank last year off the coast of Sicily, has been successfully salvaged from the seabed. The Dutch maritime company HEBO Maritiemservice played a pivotal role in the operation. The vessel is set to be towed to the shore this weekend for further investigation.

Salvage Operation Details

On Tuesday, the 72-meter-long mast of the yacht was cut. Steel cables were then wrapped around the hull, which remained intact, and attached to a floating lifting device. This setup allowed the Bayesian to be hoisted from the seabed. The yacht is now secured between two of HEBO's inland vessels.

Investigation into the Tragedy

The intact condition of the Bayesian is crucial for the ongoing investigation into the accident. The Italian Public Prosecutor's Office can only conclude its inquiry once the yacht has been thoroughly examined and all evidence has been recovered.

The Fatal Incident

In August of last year, the Bayesian was anchored near Palermo when it was caught in a violent storm and capsized. The tragic accident claimed the lives of seven individuals, including the yacht's owner, British tech billionaire Mike Lynch. His 18-year-old daughter, several of his friends, and the yacht's chef also perished. It took divers several days to recover all the bodies from the sunken vessel.

Legal Implications

Three crew members—the captain, an engineer, and a sailor—are under suspicion for manslaughter and causing a maritime disaster. Their roles in the incident are being scrutinized as part of the investigation.