The Bayesian superyacht's catastrophic capsizing last year, which resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, is attributed to extreme wind conditions exacerbated by its single-mast design, according to an official report. Investigations highlight the errors in response to the approaching storm and point to serious stability concerns integral to the yacht's design.
Tragic Capsizing of Bayesian Superyacht: Unveiling the Truth Behind the Disaster
Tragic Capsizing of Bayesian Superyacht: Unveiling the Truth Behind the Disaster
A comprehensive report details the tragic capsizing of the Bayesian superyacht off Sicily, revealing critical oversights and design vulnerabilities that led to the loss of seven lives.
The Bayesian superyacht, known for its grandeur, met a tragic fate off the coast of Sicily last year, leading to the loss of seven lives. New insights from a British maritime investigation reveal that the vessel capsized after being struck by a powerful gust of wind. The report suggests that delays in notifying the captain about the storm, as one deckhand chose to instead post videos of the severe weather on social media, significantly contributed to the rapid disaster.
Investigators reported that from the moment the captain was alerted to the situation, it took mere minutes for the yacht to be overcome by the storm, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The extreme winds tore apart a protective cover on the bridge and pushed the impressive yacht onto its side, plunging passengers and crew into chaos and darkness as water surged into the vessel.
Captain Andrew Moll, leading the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, stated, “The extreme wind experienced by Bayesian was sufficient to knock the yacht over.” Once the boat tilted beyond 70 degrees, there was no recovering from the perilous angle.
Concerningly, the yacht's affectionate design feature—the towering single mast—has emerged as a significant factor in its vulnerability. While the manufacturer claimed it was “unsinkable” under correct operation, the investigation determined this was misleading, echoing findings from a prior New York Times report that categorized the Bayesian as an outlier among its peers, which typically feature dual masts.
Experts outside of the agency have echoed these concerns, suggesting that both the mast's design and the yacht's overall stability—including its ballast and superstructure—were inherently flawed, contributing to the vessel’s tragic demise. The revelations serve as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers in such high-seas adventures and the critical need for safety and design standards in marine endeavors.
