The Bayesian superyacht, which tragically sank last year off the coast of Sicily, killing seven individuals, was likely overwhelmed by an extreme wind gust shortly before the incident, as per a preliminary report from British maritime officials. The investigation revealed that a young deckhand chose to film the squall for social media rather than alerting the captain in time. Consequently, the crew had only moments from when the captain was informed until the vessel capsized, with chaos ensuing as water flooded through the cabins.
Captain Andrew Moll, who leads the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, stated that the extreme wind conditions were sufficient to cause the yacht to capsize. The report highlighted that once the yacht tilted beyond 70 degrees, recovery was impossible. A significant contributing factor to the capsizing was identified as the yacht's distinctive feature: its enormous single mast, the tallest among its class, which greatly increased vulnerability during severe weather.
Similar insights were echoed in a prior investigation by The New York Times, indicating that all other vessels from the same Italian builder featured dual masts. Despite the manufacturer claiming the Bayesian was "unsinkable" under proper operation, expert analysis of the report raised concerns over the yacht's overall stability, scrutinizing its ballast and structural design. Moreover, the findings indicate the necessity for significant improvements in safety protocols aboard luxury vessels in adverse weather conditions.
