Superyacht Sinks: $40 Million Loss and a Web of Secrets

Silhouette of a person with a red question mark.

In August, the luxurious $40 million Bayesian superyacht sank off Sicily, killing seven and raising significant concerns about sensitive data security.

At a Glance

A $40 million superyacht, the Bayesian, sank off Sicily in August, killing seven people, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch.
Specialist divers have requested heightened security due to concerns about sensitive data in watertight safes possibly attracting foreign governments.
Italian prosecutors have opened a criminal probe into multiple charges of manslaughter and negligent shipwreck.
The yacht is believed to contain highly sensitive data tied to Western intelligence services, including super-encrypted hard drives.

The Tragic Sinking

The luxurious $40 million Bayesian superyacht, owned by British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch’s wife, sank off the coast of Sicily in August. The accident claimed the lives of seven people, including Lynch. The cause of death for some victims was suffocation or “dry drowning,” with no physical injuries found. Lynch was associated with multiple intelligence services and preferred physical data storage over cloud solutions, leading to security concerns about the encrypted drives on board.

Italian authorities have initiated an investigation into charges of manslaughter and negligent shipwreck. Lynch’s business partner, Stephen Chamberlain, also died on the day the yacht sank, causing additional scrutiny. The captain and two crew members are under investigation but were allowed to leave Italy. Preliminary investigations suggest multiple errors could have contributed to the incident, such as a hatch or side entrance being left open during a pre-dawn storm.

Manslaughter considered by Sicily yacht sinking investigators #Bayesian https://t.co/E8JWExygWq

— Jon Najarian (@jonnajarian) August 25, 2024

The Sensitive Data Concerns

The Bayesian superyacht contained highly sensitive information tied to Western intelligence agencies. Lynch’s known connections with British and American intelligence services have amplified concerns regarding the encrypted drives onboard. Specialist divers have requested increased security around the wreckage to prevent foreign interference. The site is being heavily monitored, and efforts are underway to recover critical data without causing environmental harm or data breaches.

“A formal request has been accepted and implemented for additional security of the wreckage until it can be raised,” an official with the Sicilian civil protection authority confirmed to CNN.

Survivors, including Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares, have confirmed that Lynch kept data drives in a secure compartment on the yacht. Local authorities initially feared theft of valuable items; now, concerns have shifted towards potential foreign interest. No personal effects, including hard drives, have been recovered, but onboard surveillance cameras have been brought in for examination.

🔺 UPDATE: Italian authorities have opened an investigation for manslaughter following the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht https://t.co/sSFPm4wBAC

— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) August 23, 2024

The Salvage Operations and Legal Implications

The sunken vessel lies at a depth of 50 meters and is expected to be raised in the coming weeks. Divers are planning to raise the vessel without spilling oil or fuel and ensuring that sensitive data is secured. The cost of this operation will be borne by Lynch’s widow, as per Italian maritime law. The Italian Coast Guard is actively monitoring the site for environmental impacts, with no leaks or oil pollution detected thus far.

“At the back of the boat, a hatch must have been left open,” Giovanni Costantino suggested, “but also perhaps a side entrance for water to have poured inside.”

Naval experts are puzzled by the rapid sinking of the yacht, which was built by the prestigious Italian yacht builder Perini. A violent meteorological event known as a downburst is believed to have contributed to the sinking. The complexity of the search operation due to the depth of the wreck and low visibility posed significant challenges, but divers managed to search the site for 72 hours.