The luxurious Bayesian superyacht, which tragically sank off the coast of Sicily last year claiming the lives of seven individuals, was likely capsized due to an extreme gust of wind. A preliminary investigation conducted by British maritime authorities has revealed that as a storm approached, a young deckhand failed to alert the captain in time, leading to a chaotic evacuation just moments before the vessel capsized.
The investigation indicates that the fast-moving nature of the storm and the boat’s design played critical roles in the disaster. Captain Andrew Moll, the lead inspector with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, stated, “Once the yacht had heeled beyond an angle of 70 degrees, the situation was irrecoverable.”
One significant concern highlighted in the report is Bayesian’s single massive mast, one of the tallest in the world, which appears to have rendered the yacht more susceptible to capsizing in severe conditions. In contrast, the series of yachts produced by the same Italian manufacturer typically features two masts, suggesting that the Bayesian was an anomaly within its class.
Despite the manufacturer’s claims that the yacht was constructed to be “unsinkable” under proper operation, various marine experts have questioned the overall design stability, particularly noting potential flaws regarding the vessel's ballast and superstructure.
The ramifications of this investigation serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of design integrity in maritime safety and could prompt a reevaluation of industry standards for yacht construction.
