Investigation Reveals "Extreme Wind" Caused Tragedy of Mike Lynch’s Yacht

Tue Oct 21 2025 23:41:30 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

An interim report attributes the sinking of the Bayesian yacht, resulting in the deaths of tech mogul Mike Lynch and six others, to violent weather conditions off the coast of Sicily.

The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch has released details from an interim report stating that the luxury yacht Bayesian capsized due to wind speeds exceeding 80 mph. Seven of the 22 people aboard lost their lives in this incident during a freak storm near Portofino.

The UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) released an interim report detailing the tragic sinking of the superyacht Bayesian, which claimed the lives of tech tycoon Mike Lynch and six others off the coast of Sicily. The incident occurred on August 19, 2022, near Portofino, attributed to "extreme wind" that struck the vessel with forceful gusts exceeding 80 mph.

According to the report, winds dramatically intensified from a manageable 9 mph to over 80 mph in less than an hour, tipping the yacht to a perilous 90-degree angle in just 15 seconds. This rapid tilt led to significant flooding, which overwhelmed the vessel, ultimately resulting in its sinking. Seven individuals, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, tragically perished in this maritime disaster.

Investigators noted that the yacht was specifically vulnerable to high winds, with even lighter winds of 73 mph being capable of causing a loss of stability. It was reported that the crew was largely unaware of the yacht's susceptibility due to insufficient information in the onboard stability manual.

Local authorities have opened a criminal investigation which limited the access to wreckage and recovery efforts. The recovery operation was temporarily halted last weekend following the tragic death of a diver involved in the salvage operation, with plans to resume work shortly.

Due to the quick transitional weather conditions, the crew's response to secure hatches and prepare for the storm might not have been sufficient to avert disaster. Survivors managed to escape using life rafts, assisted by another yacht in the vicinity.

Lynch, a prominent figure in the UK tech industry, had his later years overshadowed by legal troubles leading to his extradition to the U.S. He was regarded as a key player in British technology and was often compared to Bill Gates for his contributions and success.

The final report from MAIB will be published in the future as investigations continue, including ongoing inquest proceedings regarding the deaths of Lynch, his daughter, and several others onboard.