The recovery of the 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian has been postponed, with operations unlikely to commence before April 2025. Originally set to begin this month, the process has been delayed due to the complexity of operations, according to local Italian media.
Logistical Challenges in Salvage Plans
Plans for the salvage were initiated in December 2024, when a syndicate of insurers, led by British Marine – the insurer of Bayesian, owned by the Lynch family – submitted eight possible recovery plans to the prosecutor’s office in Termini Imerese, Sicily. Among the proposals were methods involving turning the vessel upright using cranes or employing innovative buoyancy systems. However, due to the intricate structural integrity concerns and legal implications, the process has faced setbacks.
Additionally, the Italian Coast Guard must approve the final salvage method before recovery begins. Once resurfaced, Bayesian is expected to be transported to Palermo for forensic examination.
Background of the Bayesian Tragedy
The yacht has been lying at a depth of 50 metres for over three months after sinking 0.8 nautical miles off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, on August 19, 2024. The disaster occurred during a celebration following Lynch’s acquittal in a high-profile £8 billion fraud case. Of the 22 people on board, 15 were safely evacuated, while a search-and-rescue operation later recovered seven bodies.
An ongoing manslaughter and homicide investigation is being led by prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano. Meanwhile, in the UK, the Coroner’s Court in Ipswich has officially opened an inquest into the deaths of four victims, including Michael Lynch, whose cause of death was determined as drowning. The inquest is expected to resume in April 2025, but may be further impacted by the salvage delay.
Credit: Alessandro Fucarini/AFP via Getty Images
Legal Action by The Italian Sea Group
This update follows the announcement that The Italian Sea Group (TISG), the current owner of the Perini Navi brand, is taking legal action against the New York Times over an article they claim could cause reputational damage. The details of the lawsuit have yet to be disclosed.
As developments unfold, the industry continues to monitor the situation surrounding Bayesian closely, as it raises critical questions about yacht safety, salvage operations, and legal accountability.
