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Luxury vessel of tech magnate Mike Lynch succumbed to structural failure, claim documents.

Vulnerabilities in the design led to the super yacht Bayesian, owned by Mike Lynch, being at risk of capsizing, according to a British investigation.

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Yacht owned by Mike Lynch, valued at £32m, was found to have critical design faults that...
Yacht owned by Mike Lynch, valued at £32m, was found to have critical design faults that significantly increased its risk of capsizing during a comprehensive British investigation.

Luxury vessel of tech magnate Mike Lynch succumbed to structural failure, claim documents.

Revised Article:

Mike Lynch's luxurious £32m yacht, Bayesian, was dangerously vulnerable to capsizing according to a UK investigation, challenging the builder's claims of "unsinkability." This contribution to the calamity led to the death of seven individuals, including Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, a Morgan Stanley chairman, and a top City lawyer.

Last August, Bayesian capsized in hurricane-force winds off the coast of Sicily, and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) revealed that the yacht’s towering 72-meter mast and raised keel compromised its stability in strong winds. Just 15 seconds after a downburst struck the vessel, it heeled violently to 90 degrees, allowing water to flood into interior spaces through stairwells.

The inquiry found no evidence of open hatches, contradicting initial suggestions by shipbuilder Perini Navi and the Italian Sea Group that crew error caused the boat to sink. Three crew members, including the New Zealand-born captain, are currently under investigation by Italian authorities, but no charges have been filed yet.

Intriguingly, Bayesian's specific vulnerability in its keel-up configuration was not included in its official stability booklet, leaving both Lynch and the crew unaware that the vessel could capsize in winds exceeding just 63 knots.

"The yacht’s extreme wind exposure was sufficient to knock it over," said MAIB chief inspector Andrew Moll. "Once it heeled beyond 70 degrees, the situation was irrecoverable." Bayesian sank in 16 minutes, but survivors, including Lynch's wife, were rescued by a neighboring yacht.

Recently, a diver perished while assisting with the wreck recovery efforts, now 50 meters deep. Salvage operations are ongoing, but the report has sparked concerns about luxury yachts built for high net-worth individuals.

Although claims of compliance with UK standards were made, the MAIB has yet to issue any safety recommendations, awaiting further evidence. The investigation has revealed crucial safety concerns regarding luxury yachts’ stability, most notably in extreme weather conditions.

Insights:

  • Design flaws triggered by extreme wind conditions and the boat's height and keel configuration were significant factors in the yacht's capsizing.
  • The yacht's instability booklet lacked pertinent stability data for the motoring condition during the accident, leaving both the owner and crew unaware of the vessel's true stability limits and increasing the risk in extreme weather.
  • Comprehensive stability documentation, enhanced crew training, and vigilant meteorological monitoring are recommended measures to uphold yacht safety for high net-worth individuals.

[Source: marineinsight.com]

  1. The tragedy involving Mike Lynch's luxury yacht, Bayesian, has brought general-news attention to the technology and safety concerns of high-end gadgets like yachts, highlighting the significance of stability documentation, crew training, and weather monitoring to prevent accidents in extreme conditions.
  2. Despite claims of compliance with UK standards, the investigation into the capsizing of the luxury yacht Bayesian has exposed critical safety gaps in the technology sector, particularly with regards to the stability of yachts, especially when faced with extreme weather, underscoring the need for improved safety measures and transparency in stability data.

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