Guests on the capsized superyacht Bayesian used furniture as an “improvised ladder” to escape after it sank last year, according to a new safety report.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) interim report detailed the most comprehensive account so far of how the superyacht capsized and the desperate attempts made by those on board to escape.
The report also suggested that the vessel may have been vulnerable to high winds, with gusts exceeding 70 knots (80.05mph) on the day of the incident.
These “vulnerabilities” were unknown to both the owner and the crew of the Bayesian as they were not included in the onboard stability information book.
The British tech tycoon Mike Lynch owned the vessel.
He was among the seven people, including his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, who died when it went down off the coast of Sicily during a storm on August 19 last year.
Efforts are currently underway to recover the ship, although progress has been hindered after a diver died during salvage operations.
MAIB lead investigator Simon Graves has stated that it’s anticipated the vessel will be raised and brought to shore by the end of May.
Chaos on board
The report released on Thursday detailed events of August 18 and 19 last year, including how the Bayesian and its crew responded to a storm sweeping in and tilting the vessel overnight.
After the crew awoke to strong winds and waves, the captain prepared to maneuver the ship, according to the report. However, the winds suddenly spiked around 4.06am causing the boat to “violently” tip at a 90-degree angle in less than 15 seconds.
Read more:
Superyacht sinking: Fury over recovery delays
Bayesian superyacht doomed by design flaws, inquest told
