The tragic sinking of the Bayesian superyacht last year off the coast of Sicily, which resulted in seven fatalities, has been attributed to an "extreme" gust of wind, according to a preliminary investigation by British maritime authorities. The findings highlight a significant delay by a young deckhand who, instead of alerting the captain, posted a video of the alarming squall on social media.
This lapse in communication contributed to a chaotic situation as the yacht was struck by the storm, which stripped away protective coverings on the bridge and ultimately capsized the vessel within minutes, forcing crew and passengers to scramble for safety amid the chaos and darkness.
Capt. Andrew Moll, head of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, emphasized that the yacht's angle of heel past 70 degrees rendered any recovery efforts impossible. Notably, the towering single mast of the Bayesian made it particularly susceptible to falling over in high winds. While the yacht was touted by its manufacturer as "unsinkable" under proper operation, external experts raised concerns regarding its stability, suggesting its design may have included questionable elements that compromised safety.
These alarming assessments reflect a need for thorough evaluations of superyacht designs and protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
