October 31st 2024.
In August, a tragic incident occurred when the renowned Bayesian superyacht sank, resulting in the loss of seven lives. As experts delved into the cause of this unfortunate event, they uncovered some unexpected factors that may have played a role in the sinking.
Among the passengers who perished were tech mogul Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer. The vessel was swallowed by a waterspout, leaving investigators puzzled as to how a supposedly "unsinkable" sailing yacht could succumb while a nearby boat remained unscathed.
Authorities initially suspected a "downburst," a powerful wind that descends from a thunderstorm and rapidly spreads upon hitting the ground, as the cause of the rapid sinking. However, further investigation by the New York Times revealed other dangerous elements onboard the yacht that could have contributed to the tragedy.
One such element was the massive aluminum mast, a defining feature of the Bayesian that stood at a towering 237ft. Despite claims from Giovanni Costantino, the CEO of Perini Navi, the Italian shipyard that manufactured the yacht, that it was unsinkable, experts pointed out that the weight of the mast, estimated at 24 tonnes, could have compromised the vessel's stability.
Naval architect Tad Roberts, with over 40 years of experience, was taken aback by this design choice, stating that it "made no sense" to him. He also emphasized that it was not a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but rather, the boat had specific shortcomings that made it vulnerable to the tragic events.
In addition, experts also noted other seemingly trivial details on the yacht that could have contributed to its rapid sinking, such as two tall glass doors that could have allowed water to enter quickly and air vents located near the waterline. The weather also played a significant role, with the Italian Airforce initially attributing the sinking to a tornado over the water, while civil protection officials believed it was a downburst.
As investigations continue, the Palermo fire brigade holds daily press conferences to update the public on any new developments. Both Italian prosecutors and the British Marine Accident Investigation Branch are actively looking into the incident, with plans to raise the yacht from the seabed at a cost of at least £15 million to gain more clarity on what led to the disaster.
At this point, there are multiple factors that could have contributed to the sinking of the Bayesian, and it is still being investigated. The loss of seven lives is a tragic reminder of the importance of thorough safety measures in the design and construction of vessels, especially those of such magnitude and luxury.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
