New images have been released of the wreckage of a superyacht which sank off the coast of Italy in a storm – leaving its British billionaire owner and his daughter dead.
Mike Lynch, 59, and daughter Hannah, 18, were among seven people who were killed when the Bayesian sank off Sicily on 19 August 2024.
The billionaire’s body was recovered on 22 August while Hannah – whose body was the last to be found in the search mission – was pulled from the water the next day.
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Salvage crews begin recovery of sunken superyacht
The recovery of the vessel has now concluded after the 56m (184ft) hull and 72m (236ft) mast, as well as deck furniture and other loose items, had been delivered to Italian authorities in Termini Imerese in Palermo, Sicily.
One photograph shows boats towing the large white mast through the water as it was lifted near the surface by balloons.
Other images feature crews working on the mast and hull on the quayside, with both appearing to be covered in a brown substance.
Pic: PA
Part of the recovered superyacht in Sicily. Pic: PA
Marcus Cave, a director of British firm TMC Marine, which carried out the salvage effort, said: “The delivery of the hull, mast and other potential materials from Bayesian brought this project to its conclusion.
“We thank the salvage and other teams that were involved in this challenging project, together with the Italian authorities for their professional assistance throughout.”
The hull was recovered on 21 June and transported around 12 miles (19km) to Termini Imerese the next day by one of the most powerful floating sea cranes in Europe.
On 23 June, it was lifted into heavy steel supports on the quayside, which had tarpaulin underneath to prevent pollution.
The cradle was custom-designed to fit the shape of the hull and built in the Netherlands.
Read more:
Mike Lynch died from drowning, inquest hears
Who was on the superyacht?
Diver dies during work to recover yacht
Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah. Pic: PA
The mast had been detached from the hull for the recovery and was on the seabed.
It was salvaged using inflatable lifting balloons and delivered to port on 25 June, along with loose items that may have moved away from the vessel in past 10 months.
The images have emerged a day after photos showed the inside of the yacht for the first time after the vessel resurfaced.
In one picture, a lounge area can be seen, complete with sofas and other furniture, while another shows the hatch down to the lower deck.
Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
Remote-controlled submersible equipment was used to locate the debris in the vicinity of the Bayesian site.
The vessel was originally expected to be raised last month but salvage efforts were delayed after a diver died during underwater work on 9 May, prompting greater use of remote-controlled equipment.
The materials have been delivered to the Italian authorities and salvage personnel and equipment have subsequently left Sicily.
Inside the Bayesian yacht after it was brought to the surface
About 70 specialist personnel had been mobilised to Porticello from across Europe to work on the recovery operation.
Inquest proceedings in the UK are looking at the deaths of Mr Lynch, who founded software giant Autonomy in 1996, and his daughter, as well as Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his wife, Judy Bloomer, 71, who were all British nationals.
Fifteen people, including Mr Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, were rescued.
Mr Lynch and his daughter are said to have lived in the vicinity of London and the Bloomers lived in Sevenoaks, Kent.
