Divers recover 5 bodies from wrecked superyacht off Sicily; 1 still missing
Divers searching the wreck of a superyacht that sank off Sicily have found five bodies and searched for a sixth as questions intensified about why the sailboat sank so quickly
PORTICELLO, Sicily -- Divers searching the wreck of a superyacht that sank off Sicily found the bodies of five passengers Wednesday, leaving one still missing as questions intensified about why the vessel sank so quickly when a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed.
Rescue crews brought four body bags ashore at Porticello. Salvatore Cocina, head of the Sicily civil protection agency, said a fifth body had been located. Divers on-scene said they would try to recover it on Thursday while continuing the search for the sixth.
The discovery made clear the operation to search the hull on the seabed 50 meters (164 feet) underwater had quickly turned into a recovery one, not a rescue, given the amount of time that had passed and with no signs of life over three days of searching.
The Bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged yacht, went down in a storm early Monday as it was moored about a kilometer (a half-mile) offshore. Civil protection officials said they believed the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout.
Fifteen people escaped in a lifeboat and were rescued by a nearby sailboat. The body of the ship's chef, Recaldo Thomas of Antigua, was recovered Monday.
Thomas was born in Canada, according to his cousin David Isaac, but visited his parents’ homeland of Antigua as a child, and moved permanently to the tiny eastern Caribbean island in his early 20s. Italian officials previously listed Antigua and Canada as the nationality of people on board.
The fate of six missing passengers had driven the search effort, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch , his 18-year-old daughter and associates who had successfully defended him in a recent U.S. federal fraud trial.
Lynch’s spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor’s Office investigators were acquiring evidence for their criminal investigation, which they opened immediately after the tragedy despite no formal suspects having been publicly identified.
Questions have abounded about what caused the superyacht, built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, to rapidly sink, when the nearby Sir Robert Baden Powell sailboat was largely spared and managed to rescue the survivors.
Giovanni Costantino, head of The Italian Sea Group, which owns the ship maker, blamed human error for the disaster, which he said took 16 minutes. “The ship sank because it took on water. From where, the investigators will say,” he told RAI state television after he met with prosecutors.
Costantino cited AIS ship tracking data which he said showed the Bayesian had taken on water for four minutes when a sudden gust of wind flipped it and it continued taking on water. The ship straightened up slightly and then went down, he said.
But was it merely the case of a freak waterspout that knocked the ship to its side and allowed water to pour in through open hatches? What was the position of the keel, which on a large sailboat like the Bayesian might have been retractable to allow it to enter shallower ports?
“There’s a lot of uncertainty as to whether it had a lifting keel and whether it might have been up,” said Jean-Baptiste Souppez, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects and the editor of the Journal of Sailing Technology. “But if it had, then that would reduce the amount of stability that the vessel had, and therefore made it easier for it to roll over on its side,” he said in an interview.
The captain of the sailboat that rescued survivors said his craft sustained minimal damage — the frame of a sun awning broke — even with winds that he estimated reached 12 on the Beaufort wind scale, which is the highest hurricane-strength force on the scale.
He said he had remained anchored with his engines running to try to maintain the ship’s position as the forecast storm rolled in.
“Another possibility is to heave anchor before the storm and to run downwind at open sea,” Karsten Borner said in a text message. But he said that might not have been possible for the Bayesian, given its trademark 75-meter (246-foot) tall mast.
“If there was a stability problem, caused by the extremely tall mast, it would not have been better at open sea,” he said.
Yachts like the Bayesian are required to have watertight, sub-compartments that are specifically designed to prevent a rapid, catastrophic sinking even when some parts fill with water.
The underwater search continued in dangerous and time-consuming conditions. Because of the wreck’s depth, which requires special precautions, divers working in pairs could only spend about 12 minutes at a time searching, though reinforcements outfitted with special equipment to enable longer dives were on the wreck Wednesday.
In all, some 27 divers took rotations, including four who helped with recovery after the 2012 Costa Concordia disaster off Tuscany. They called the Porticello wreck a “little Concordia,” fire crews said in a statement.
The limited dive time was aimed in part at avoiding decompression sickness, also known as the “bends,” which can occur when divers stay underwater for long periods and ascend too quickly, allowing nitrogen gas dissolved in the blood to form bubbles.
“The longer you stay, the slower your ascent has to be,” said Simon Rogerson, the editor of SCUBA magazine. He said the tight turnaround time suggested the operation's managers were trying to limit the risks and recovery time after each dive.
“It sounds like they’re operating essentially on no decompression or very tight decompression, or they’re being extremely conservative,” he said.
Divers were also working with debris floating around them, limited visibility and air tanks on their backs.
“We are trying to advance in tight spaces, but any single thing slows us down,” said Luca Cari, spokesman for the fire rescue service. “An electric panel could set us back for five hours. These aren’t normal conditions. We’re at the limit of possibility.”
Winfield reported from Rome and Kirka from London. Associated Press journalists Trisha Thomas in Rome; Andrea Rosa in Porticello; and Anika Kentish in St. John’s, Antigua, contributed to this report.
This story has been corrected to reflect that Thomas was born in Canada, not Antigua.
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Who are the six missing in luxury yacht disaster off Sicily?
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MIKE LYNCH AND DAUGHTER HANNAH
Jonathan bloomer and wife judy bloomer, christopher morvillo and wife neda morvillo.
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The superyacht tragedy will likely spark legal drama
- A deadly superyacht sinking off the coast of Italy during a storm will likely spark legal drama, experts said.
- Maritime legal experts say lawsuits are likely, but negligence would need to be established.
- "I would not be optimistic about the chances for any claims," one expert said.
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The operator of the superyacht that sank during a violent storm off the coast of Italy this week is likely to face legal troubles over the deadly tragedy, according to maritime law experts.
But the success of any potential lawsuit is up for debate.
Three maritime legal experts told Business Insider that the operator and owner behind the now-sunken luxury sailing yacht called the Bayesian should lawyer up in anticipation of possible claims from families of the dead or the survivors themselves.
"There's always the possibility of claims when there's a casualty," said Martin Davies, the director of the Maritime Law Center at Tulane University School of Law in Louisiana. But based on what is currently known about the incident, Davies said it is "unlikely that any claims would succeed."
Michael Sturley, an expert in maritime law and professor at the University of Texas at Austin's School of Law, agreed. "Based on what we know now, I would not be optimistic about the chances for any claims," he said.
However, Sturley noted, "There is still a lot that we don't know."
Bad weather does not automatically absolve a party of liability, but it would be challenging to make a wrongful death or personal injury claim as negligence would need to be established, according to the experts.
"Under English law, they'd have to prove fault and I don't think there's much prospect of anyone proving fault," said Davies.
"Bad weather at sea is not at all unexpected, which is why you can't just simply say bad weather and hope to get off the hook," Davies said. "What seems different about this case is that it came suddenly."
Still, said Oregon-based maritime lawyer Gordon Carey, "It doesn't spell defeat" for a potential legal claim "just because it's a weather event."
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The yacht was carrying 22, including UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch and a Morgan Stanley exec
The British-registered 184-foot yacht was anchored about a half-mile off the Italian port of Porticello near Palermo, Sicily, and carrying 22 people, including UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch , when a fierce storm hit and quickly sank the vessel just after 4 a.m. on Monday, according to reports.
The body of the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas, was found on Monday. Six other passengers — Lynch; his 18-year-old daughter Hannah; Lynch's friend and Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer; Bloomer's wife, Judy; Lynch's attorney Christopher Morvillo and Morvillo's wife Neda — went missing during the disaster.
Divers on Wednesday found the bodies of five of the missing inside the sunken yacht that was around 164 feet below the surface.
Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares , was among the 15 people who were rescued in the aftermath of the tragedy. Reports said Lynch had been on the boat celebrating his recent acquittal on fraud charges in the US.
According to the Associated Press , documents show Bacares as the sole owner of Revtom Ltd., the Isle of Man-registered company that the online international maritime database Equasis lists as the owner of the Bayesian.
The Bayesian was being managed by the global yachting company Camper & Nicholsons. In a statement posted to its website, the company said it can "confirm that the vessel encountered severe weather conditions and subsequently sank near Palermo, Italy."
There were a total of 10 crew members and 12 guests on board, it said.
"Our priority is assisting with the ongoing search and providing all necessary support to the rescued passengers and crew," the company said.
It was not immediately clear who the captain and crew of the vessel were employed by. Camper & Nicholsons declined to comment beyond the statement posted online.
The maritime legal experts BI spoke to said that the operator of the Bayesian could potentially face liability claims, depending on the circumstances, if it hired the captain and crew and managed the vessel.
Davies said a boat like the Bayesian is bound to have "all kinds of insurance."
"And so someone may make a claim in the hope of getting some money from the insurance," he said.
English law would likely apply if any claims were made
According to Davies, it is more likely that English law would apply should the family of any of the victims or a survivor try to take legal action since the yacht was a UK-flagged vessel. US law could be applied if jurisdiction could be established, said Davies and others.
Under US law, crew members, not passengers, could potentially make an "unseaworthiness" claim, according to the maritime experts.
"The advantage of unseaworthiness is it's a strict liability claim," said Sturley. "You don't have to prove negligence. For other losses, you'd have to prove negligence."
To make an unseaworthiness claim, Davies explained, "you'd have to argue that there's something about the vessel that makes it unfit to withstand a sudden storm like this."
However, he said, "I find it hard to see there was any unseaworthiness of the vessel here."
Also under US law, the families of the dead could potentially make a legal claim under the Death on the High Seas Act, the experts said.
"People are supposed to take precautions against weather, but you take precautions that are reasonable under the circumstances, and sometimes you have a freak weather event that nobody could see coming, and it would not have been reasonable to have guarded against that," Sturley said.
He added, "Nobody prepares for hurricanes in the Sahara Desert. And if a hurricane happens to hit the Sahara Desert, that doesn't mean that people who didn't guard against it were negligent."
The AP reported that Italian civil protection officials believe that a tornado-like waterspout hit where the yacht was anchored, likely causing it to capsize.
"If it was a water spout, which it appears to be, it's what I would class as like a 'black swan' event," Matthew Schanck, chair of the UK-based Maritime Search and Rescue Council told the AP.
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Superyacht sinks latest: Fifth body found in search today - six people now confirmed dead
Five bodies have been found in the search for several people missing after a yacht sank off the Sicily coast, bringing the total number of dead to six. Search efforts are in their third day, after the captain was reportedly questioned by Italian prosecutors over the sinking.
Wednesday 21 August 2024 22:03, UK
- Superyacht sinking
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- Five bodies found in search for survivors, taking number of confirmed deaths in superyacht tragedy to six - with one person still missing
- Search ends for day as darkness falls
- Eyewitness: Onlookers wipe away tears as bodies hauled up
- Yacht's captain questioned for more than two hours - report
- Advanced underwater drone deployed
- Watch: CCTV captures yacht seconds before it sinks
- Explained: Inside the superyacht
- Live reporting by Mark Wyatt
We're pausing our coverage for tonight but here is a recap of what we know:
- Five bodies have been found in the wreckage of the sunken Bayesian;
- Four of the bodies have been retrieved and recovered to shore. Efforts to recover the fifth will resume tomorrow;
- One person is still unaccounted for;
- Divers employed the use of an upgraded remote-controlled underwater vehicle to help with the search;
- Emergency service staff and others involved in the search and rescue operations formed a "guard of honour" as bodies were brought ashore;
- The UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) confirmed it is investigating the sinking;
- The Bayesian's captain, James Cutfield, was questioned for more than two hours by Italian prosecutors;
- An investigation might result in changes to how masts are constructed, according to a professor of transport law;
- Two crew members who survived the disaster reportedly said it is a "miracle" they are still alive;
- Another crew member who survived the disaster was confirmed as Dutch national Tjis Koopmans.
It's been a busy day for search and rescue teams as they continued their quest to find people unaccounted for from the Bayesian's sinking.
Divers found five bodies, leaving just one person still unaccounted for when the search resumes tomorrow.
Below, we have a look at some images of the day as it unfolded:
Karsten Borner, the captain of a boat that came to the Bayesian's aide, has described the moment he came across the life raft containing survivors.
The 69-year-old told Sky News he had been busy trying to secure his own vessel when the violent storm hit when he noticed the Bayesian had disappeared behind him.
"We saw a flickering light and it turned out to be the life raft, a 12-person life raft with 15 people inside including one baby," he said.
The people "stepped on" to his vessel, where he "took care of them".
He added: "We gave them dry clothes, towels, blankets, tea and coffee and so on.
"I was busy talking to the coastguard to get them an ambulance and to send a message to search and rescue."
Those involved in the search and rescue operation looking for bodies should receive mental health support, an expert has told Sky News.
Divers have been working tirelessly since Monday morning to find the passengers unaccounted for following the sinking of the Bayesian.
Since then, six bodies have been found, with one person still missing.
"There's been a lot of focus on the physical risks involved with diving for the vessel," says Matthew Schanck, chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council.
"We've talked about debris and we've talked about the complex layout, but the lasting impacts on everybody involved is going to be on the mental health and we hope that the support is going to be there.
"And I'm sure it will be for the emergency responders and also for the people who have survived and what is obviously been a very, very traumatic experience."
Searches have finished for the day and will resume tomorrow, the head of Sicily's civil protection agency has told the PA news agency.
Salvatore Cocina confirmed earlier that five bodies have been found today, but only four recovered.
One person remains missing.
A shipbuilding expert has said the Bayesian superyacht which sunk on Monday is among the "safest" available.
Giovanni Costantino is the chief executive of The Italian Sea Group, which now owns the firm that previously built the yacht.
He told Sky News this week's disaster off the coast of Sicily has put him "in a state of sadness on the one hand and of disbelief on the other".
He said: "Being the manufacturer of Perini [boats] I know very well how the boats have always been designed and built."
"The sailing ships, it is well known, are the safest in the most absolute sense," Mr Constantino added.
"First of all, because they have very little surface compared to a yacht facing the wind. Second, with the structure, the drift keel... they become unsinkable bodies."
The Bayesian sunk in the early hours of Monday morning off Palermo following a violent storm.
Investigators looking into the sinking of the Bayesian must work through evidence "methodically and meticulously", says the managing director of a maritime consulting group.
The UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has already confirmed it is investigating the incident.
James Wilkes, a maritime investigator, told Sky News the investigation into the deaths of passengers will take time.
"The key thing for the investigators is to work methodically and meticulously through the evidence that they are able to get and make sure they're not missing something or not over interpreting something," he said.
Five bodies have been found today, bringing the number of confirmed deaths to six.
"They'll want to expedite it because if bodies are being recovered of British nationals, then it is very likely that an inquest will be opened into their deaths in the UK," added Mr Wilkes.
"There is no benefit to anybody rushing it. We need to arrive at the right conclusions with as little supposition and ambiguity as possible so that we actually make yachts safer in the future and actually understand what happened in detail."
Search and rescue teams have been working hard since Monday morning to find those unaccounted after the sinking of the Bayesian.
Specialists divers and experts have been called in, with coastguard helicopters and underwater remotely operated vehicles deployed to help.
Sky News correspondent Laura Bundock has been taking a closer look at the how the recovery operation unfolded...
A fifth body has been found today in the search for survivors of the sunken superyacht
The head of Sicily's civil protection agency Salvatore Cocina said four bodies have been recovered and that efforts to bring a fifth to shore are "ongoing".
It brings the number of confirmed deaths to six, after the body of the yacht's on-board chef was recovered shortly after the incident on Monday.
By Ashna Hurynag , news correspondent
The crowd on the harbourside has been growing since lunchtime.
News that cave divers from Naples and Rome had joined the search came with more attention and interest.
The search had entered its third day, and conservations were turning to fear about a lack of oxygen for those on board the sunken yacht.
Radios were heard crackling across the water where a makeshift temporary search and rescue "centre" has been constructed.
The white coastguard vessel and the search and rescue cream and red boat were coming in from the search site.
As they docked, two divers dressed in orange wetsuits on the back of the boat lifted the first body bag.
The sight causing the crowd opposite to fall silent. The poignancy of the sombre moment bringing some watching on to tears.
Some looked away, whilst others filmed on their phones.
The moment many had feared was unfolding before their eyes as the rescue mission only minutes ago quickly turned to recovery.
The crowd watched on as another body was brought ashore too.
A spontaneous guard of honour seemed to form as each body was brought to the harbourside - police officers, firefighters and search and rescue officials side by side, some with bowed heads - a moment of silence and respect.
After hours of searching, this operation is coming to a close.
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![who owns super yacht sibelle Sibelle Charter Yacht](https://image.yachtcharterfleet.com/w1277/h618/qh/ca/m2/kcf946cf4/vessel/resource/262667/charter-sibelle-yacht.jpg)
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SIBELLE yacht NOT for charter*
50m / 164'1 | heesen | 2015 / 2022.
Owner & Guests
Cabin Configuration
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Special Features:
- Multi-award winning
- Extensive health and beauty center, including beach club and sauna
- Recent refit in 2022
- Two VIP cabins
- ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) ✠A1, Yachting Service, Ⓔ, ✠AMS classification
The multi-award winning 50m/164'1" expedition yacht 'Sibelle' was built by Heesen in the Netherlands at their Oss shipyard. Her interior is styled by Dutch designer design house Omega Architects and she was delivered to her owner in February 2015. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Omega Architects and she was last refitted in 2022.
Guest Accommodation
Sibelle has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 suites comprising two VIP cabins. She is also capable of carrying up to 11 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.
Onboard Comfort & Entertainment
Her features include sauna, beach club, WiFi and air conditioning.
Range & Performance
Sibelle is built with a aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by twin diesel MTU (8V 4000 M63) 8-cylinder 1,341hp engines running at 1800rpm, she comfortably cruises at 15 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 19 knots. Sibelle features at-anchor stabilizers providing exceptional comfort levels. Her water tanks store around 16,500 Litres of fresh water. She was built to ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) ✠A1, Yachting Service, Ⓔ, ✠AMS classification society rules, and is MCA Compliant.
Length | 50m / 164'1 |
Beam | 9m / 29'6 |
Draft | 2.5m / 8'2 |
Gross Tonnage | 497 GT |
Cruising Speed | 15.1 Knots |
Built | | (Refitted) |
Builder | Heesen |
Model | Custom |
Exterior Designer | Omega Architects |
Interior Design | Omega Architects |
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Sibelle Awards & Nominations
- The ShowBoats Design Awards 2016 Exterior Design & Styling Award – Motor Yacht below 500GT Winner
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Specification
M/Y Sibelle
Length | 50m / 164'1 |
Builder | |
Exterior Designer | Omega Architects |
Interior Design | Omega Architects |
Built | Refit | 2015 | 2022 |
Model | |
Beam | 9m / 29'6 |
Gross Tonnage | 497 GT |
Draft | 2.5m / 8'2 |
Cruising Speed | 15.1 Knots |
Top Speed | 19 Knots |
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Italian divers find 5 more bodies, 1 still missing after superyacht disaster survivor's ominous text message
The two missing americans include a new york city attorney and his wife.
![who owns super yacht sibelle Audrey Conklin](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/06/340/340/HH35229557_Audrey_Conklin.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1)
Moment luxury yacht sinks off coast of Italy caught on camera, with 6 presumed dead
Grainy CCTV footage shows the moment a storm struck the Bayesian luxury yacht, which sank Aug. 19, 2024, off the coast of Italy. Six people are missing, officials say. (Giornale di Sicilia)
Italian divers on Wednesday morning found five more bodies after a superyacht sunk off the coast of Italy on Monday, and one person is still missing.
The 184-foot British-flagged Bayesian carrying English entrepreneurs and tourists capsized and sank off Sicily in bad weather early Monday. Rescue officials located the body of chef Recaldo Thomas on Monday, and 15 people were rescued. The identities of the recovered bodies were not disclosed.
A tornado may have struck the yacht Monday, according to civil protection officials.
Among the rescued was Ayla Ronald, senior associate at Clifford Chance, a global law firm that recently handed a win to billionaire tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, who was acquitted of fraud accusations in San Francisco in June, according to The Telegraph.
![who owns super yacht sibelle Italian firefighter scuba divers bring ashore, in the green bag, the body of one of the victims from the British-flagged vessel Bayesian, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. The yacht was hit by a violent sudden storm and sank early Monday, while at anchor off the Sicilian village of Porticello near Palermo, in southern Italy.](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/AP24234539241345-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Italian firefighter scuba divers bring ashore, in the green bag, the body of one of the victims from the British-flagged vessel Bayesian, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. The yacht was hit by a violent sudden storm and sank early Monday, while at anchor off the Sicilian village of Porticello near Palermo, in southern Italy. (Salvatore Cavalli)
Ronald's father, Lin Ronald, told the outlet that he texted his daughter after the superyacht sank.
MOMENT LUXURY YACHT SINKS OFF COAST OF ITALY CAUGHT ON CAMERA, WITH 6 PRESUMED DEAD
![who owns super yacht sibelle Emergency services carry a body bag](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/Sicily-yacht-sinks-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Emergency services carry a body bag after a sailboat sank in the early hours of Monday, off the coast of Porticello, near the Sicilian city of Palermo, Italy, August 19, 2024. (REUTERS/Igor Petyx)
"[S]he hasn’t given me any updates about missing personnel or saved personnel. She has only said to me that there are deaths, and she and her partner are alive," Lin Ronald told The Telegraph, adding that his daughter "is a lawyer who is part of the legal team that was invited to go sailing as a result of the success in the recent United States court case."
![who owns super yacht sibelle Ayla Ronald](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/image-33.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Among the rescued was Ayla Ronald, senior associate at Clifford Chance, a global law firm that recently handed a win to billionaire tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, who was acquitted of fraud accusations in San Francisco in June, according to The Telegraph. (Clifford Chance)
Two Americans and four British nationals remain among the missing. The two Americans are Christopher Morvillo, a New York City partner at Clifford Chance who helped with Lynch's fraud case, and his wife, Neda Morvillo, a jewelry designer.
"We are in shock and deeply saddened by this tragic incident. Our thoughts are with our Partner, Christopher Morvillo, and his wife Neda who are among the missing, and with their families," a Clifford Chancespokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Our utmost priority is providing support to the family as well as our colleague Ayla Ronald, who together with her partner, thankfully survived the incident. Our thoughts extend to the other passengers and crew and all those affected. We have no further comment at this time. We, and the families, ask that their request for privacy is honored during this period."
MORGAN STANLEY INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN, WIFE AND 4 OTHERS STILL MISSING AFTER LUXURY YACHT SINKS OFF SICILY
![who owns super yacht sibelle Christopher and Neda Morvillo](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/Christopher-Morvillo.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Neda Morvillo and Chris Morvillo attend Summer Birthday Cocktails For Lawrence Kaplan at Tower 270 - Rooftop on June 21, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Morvillo, who owns residences in New York City and South Kent, celebrated Lynch's June 6 acquittal on LinkedIn in one of his final social media posts before the luxury boat accident, eerily writing that his family would live "happily ever after."
"A huge thank you to my patient and incredible wife, Neda Morvillo, and my two strong, brilliant and beautiful daughters, Sabrino Morvillo and Sophia Morvillo," he wrote after thanking the legal team that helped in Lynch's legal success.
WHO IS MIKE LYNCH, THE BRITISH TECH ENTREPRENEUR MISSING AFTER YACHT SANK?
![who owns super yacht sibelle helicopter and boat off the coast of Porticello, near the Sicilian city of Palermo, Italy](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/Sicily-yacht-sinks-6.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Emergency and rescue services work near the scene where a sailboat sank in the early hours of Monday off the coast of Porticello, near the Sicilian city of Palermo, Italy, August 19, 2024. (REUTERS/Igor Petyx)
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The boat sank sometime around 5 a.m. Monday near the port of Porticello, where it was anchored, according to the Italian coast guard. There were a total of 10 crew members and 12 passengers aboard the ship at the time.
"The wind was very strong. Bad weather was expected , but not of this magnitude," a coast guard official in Palermo told Reuters.
Fox News' Pilar Arias, Christina Coulter and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Email tips to [email protected] or on Twitter at @audpants.
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Motor Yacht
The revolutionary Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDFH) developed by famous Dutch naval architects Van Oossanen and Associates allows significant improvements in fuel efficiency. Thanks to the FDHF’s low resistance characteristics, YN 16750 can reach a maximum speed of 18,5 knots with only two 1.000kW MTUs installed.
Hence an ocean-crossing range is achieved with minimal fuel capacity; only 45.000 litres are required to comfortably transit the Atlantic, leaving plenty of reserve. Perry van Oossanen, naval architect at VOA, comments: “Modest propeller tunnels have been defined allowing for 1,5m diameter propellers. The hull will be fitted with Quantum XT zero-speed fins, and bilge keels, allowing for a maximum reduction in roll angle when at anchor. The design of the hull, the appendages and the propulsion arrangement have been focused on obtaining the best fuel efficiency possible, without sacrificing performance and comfort when running in waves.” Carrying less fuel also means that the yacht is lighter which further improves efficiency. And the benefits don’t end there; the space saved by having smaller fuel tanks has been reallocated to provide the crew with valuable storage volume under the crew mess.
The cosy and inviting interior décor will be based on the colour contrast between swamp oak panelling and dark joinery details. Ten guests can be accommodated in five cabins. 61 square metres are dedicated to the master suite, traditionally located forward on the main deck, which boasts two separate dressing rooms, each with a private ensuite bathroom. The four guest cabins (two VIP and two twins) all have ensuite bathrooms and are positioned on the lower deck. Beyond their cabins, guests can enjoy 237 square metres of outdoor living space. The main and rescue tenders are placed on the fore deck under way, while the toys are stored in the forward garage. This configuration allows the aft part of the yacht to be used as a large (21,5 square metre) beach club equipped with sauna and hammam. The design of YN 16750 proves that high speed cruising can be achieved without sacrificing either luxury or efficiency.
- Yacht Builder Heesen Yachts No profile available
- Naval Architect Van Oossanen Naval Architects View profile
- Exterior Designer Omega Architects View profile
- Interior Designer Omega Architects View profile
Yacht Specs
Other heesen yachts, related news.
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Sibelle - 2015
![who owns super yacht sibelle](https://www.heesenyachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/16750-Sibelle-ext.jpg)
Complex simplicity
Sibelle’s exterior lines are by Frank Laupman from Omega architects, assisted in the refinement of the design details by Mikhail Labazov and Andrei Savin from Architectural Bureau A-B Studio. The complex simplicity oxymoron epitomizes in two words the philosophy that led the design team in the development of this project. Sibelle’s elegant exterior lines are emphasized by contrasting bands of wraparound glass that give her a very distinctive look. The exterior lines look like they are running parallel, but in reality they are not! It is all about small adjustments that give an impression of parallelism to the eye.
First impressions
Sibelle is a 50 metre fully custom motor yacht, below 500 Gross Tonnage with an aluminum hull and superstructure. Large enough to offer her owner and his guests everything they need without compromise, whilst being small enough to allow plenty of freedom to anchor in bays with crystal clear water.
![who owns super yacht sibelle](https://www.heesenyachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/16750-Sibelle-ext1.jpg)
Specifications
Hull type: FDHF
Exterior design: Omega Architects & Architectural Bureau A-B Studio
Interior design: Architectural Bureau A-B Studio
Hull: Aluminium
Length over all: 49.90 metres / 163 feet 9 inches
Beam over all: 9.0 metres / 29 feet 6 inches
Draft (half load): 2.15 metres / 7 feet 1 inches
Tonnage: approx. 499 GT
Accommodations
Cabins: Full-beam owner’s stateroom, two double guest suites and two twin guest suites
Technical Details
Maximum speed (half load): 18.5 knots
Range: 3,150Nm at 13 knots
Fuel capacity: 49,000 litres / 12,844 US Gallons
Fresh water: 14,000 litres / 3,698 US Gallons
Propulsion Details
Main engines: 2 x MTU 8V 4000 M63
Maximum power: 2 x 1,000kW
Main generators: 2 x Kilo-Pak, each 99kW
Bowthruster: HRP 135kW, hydraulically driven
Stabilisers: Quantum extendable, 2 fins, zero speed
General arrangement
![who owns super yacht sibelle](https://www.heesenyachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/16750-Sibelle-GA-1-sun-deck-1024x238.jpg)
Wheelhouse deck
![who owns super yacht sibelle](https://www.heesenyachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/16750-Sibelle-GA-3-main-dec-1024x238.jpg)
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Divers recover 5 bodies from wrecked superyacht off Sicily; 1 still missing
Aptopix italy boaters missing.
PORTICELLO, Sicily (AP) — Divers searching the wreck of a superyacht that sank off Sicily found the bodies of five passengers Wednesday, leaving one still missing as questions intensified about why the vessel sank so quickly when a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed.
Rescue crews brought four body bags ashore at Porticello. Salvatore Cocina, head of the Sicily civil protection agency, said a fifth body had been located. Divers on-scene said they would try to recover it on Thursday while continuing the search for the sixth.
The discovery made clear the operation to search the hull on the seabed 50 meters (164 feet) underwater had quickly turned into a recovery one, not a rescue, given the amount of time that had passed and with no signs of life over three days of searching.
The Bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged yacht, went down in a storm early Monday as it was moored about a kilometer (a half-mile) offshore. Civil protection officials said they believed the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout.
Fifteen people escaped in a lifeboat and were rescued by a nearby sailboat. The body of the ship's chef, Recaldo Thomas of Antigua, was recovered Monday.
Thomas was born in Canada, according to his cousin David Isaac, but visited his parents’ homeland of Antigua as a child, and moved permanently to the tiny eastern Caribbean island in his early 20s. Italian officials previously listed Antigua and Canada as the nationality of people on board.
The fate of six missing passengers had driven the search effort, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch , his 18-year-old daughter and associates who had successfully defended him in a recent U.S. federal fraud trial.
Lynch’s spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor’s Office investigators were acquiring evidence for their criminal investigation, which they opened immediately after the tragedy despite no formal suspects having been publicly identified.
Questions have abounded about what caused the superyacht, built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, to rapidly sink, when the nearby Sir Robert Baden Powell sailboat was largely spared and managed to rescue the survivors.
Giovanni Costantino, head of The Italian Sea Group, which owns the ship maker, blamed human error for the disaster, which he said took 16 minutes. “The ship sank because it took on water. From where, the investigators will say,” he told RAI state television after he met with prosecutors.
Costantino cited AIS ship tracking data which he said showed the Bayesian had taken on water for four minutes when a sudden gust of wind flipped it and it continued taking on water. The ship straightened up slightly and then went down, he said.
But was it merely the case of a freak waterspout that knocked the ship to its side and allowed water to pour in through open hatches? What was the position of the keel, which on a large sailboat like the Bayesian might have been retractable to allow it to enter shallower ports?
“There’s a lot of uncertainty as to whether it had a lifting keel and whether it might have been up,” said Jean-Baptiste Souppez, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects and the editor of the Journal of Sailing Technology. “But if it had, then that would reduce the amount of stability that the vessel had, and therefore made it easier for it to roll over on its side,” he said in an interview.
The captain of the sailboat that rescued survivors said his craft sustained minimal damage — the frame of a sun awning broke — even with winds that he estimated reached 12 on the Beaufort wind scale, which is the highest hurricane-strength force on the scale.
He said he had remained anchored with his engines running to try to maintain the ship’s position as the forecast storm rolled in.
“Another possibility is to heave anchor before the storm and to run downwind at open sea,” Karsten Borner said in a text message. But he said that might not have been possible for the Bayesian, given its trademark 75-meter (246-foot) tall mast.
“If there was a stability problem, caused by the extremely tall mast, it would not have been better at open sea,” he said.
Yachts like the Bayesian are required to have watertight, sub-compartments that are specifically designed to prevent a rapid, catastrophic sinking even when some parts fill with water.
The underwater search continued in dangerous and time-consuming conditions. Because of the wreck’s depth, which requires special precautions, divers working in pairs could only spend about 12 minutes at a time searching, though reinforcements outfitted with special equipment to enable longer dives were on the wreck Wednesday.
In all, some 27 divers took rotations, including four who helped with recovery after the 2012 Costa Concordia disaster off Tuscany. They called the Porticello wreck a “little Concordia,” fire crews said in a statement.
The limited dive time was aimed in part at avoiding decompression sickness, also known as the “bends,” which can occur when divers stay underwater for long periods and ascend too quickly, allowing nitrogen gas dissolved in the blood to form bubbles.
“The longer you stay, the slower your ascent has to be,” said Simon Rogerson, the editor of SCUBA magazine. He said the tight turnaround time suggested the operation's managers were trying to limit the risks and recovery time after each dive.
“It sounds like they’re operating essentially on no decompression or very tight decompression, or they’re being extremely conservative,” he said.
Divers were also working with debris floating around them, limited visibility and air tanks on their backs.
“We are trying to advance in tight spaces, but any single thing slows us down,” said Luca Cari, spokesman for the fire rescue service. “An electric panel could set us back for five hours. These aren’t normal conditions. We’re at the limit of possibility.”
Winfield reported from Rome and Kirka from London. Associated Press journalists Trisha Thomas in Rome; Andrea Rosa in Porticello; and Anika Kentish in St. John’s, Antigua, contributed to this report.
This story has been corrected to reflect that Thomas was born in Canada, not Antigua.
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Who Owns Which Superyacht? (A Complete Guide)
![who owns super yacht sibelle](https://boatpursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/who-owns-which-superyacht-1694573732.9844012.jpg)
Have you ever wondered who owns the most luxurious, extravagant, and expensive superyachts? Or how much these lavish vessels are worth? In this complete guide, we’ll explore who owns these magnificent vessels, what amenities they hold, and the cost of these incredible yachts.
We’ll also take a look at some of the most expensive superyachts in the world and the notable people behind them.
Get ready to explore the world of superyachts and the people who own them!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
The ownership of superyachts is generally private, so the exact answer to who owns which superyacht is not always publicly available.
However, there are some notable superyacht owners that are known.
For example, Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, owns the Rising Sun, which is the 11th largest superyacht in the world.
Other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
Overview of Superyachts
The term superyacht refers to a large, expensive recreational boat that is typically owned by the worlds wealthy elite.
These vessels are designed for luxury cruising and typically range in size from 24 meters to over 150 meters, with some even larger.
Superyachts usually feature extensive amenities and creature comforts, such as swimming pools, outdoor bars, movie theaters, helipads, and spas.
Superyachts can range in price from $30 million to an astonishingly high $400 million.
Like most luxury items, the ownership of a superyacht is a status symbol for those who can afford it.
The list of superyacht owners reads like a whos who of billionaires, with names like Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
The most expensive superyacht in the world is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
While some superyacht owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye, others have made headlines with their extravagant amenities.
Some of the most famous superyachts feature swimming pools, private beaches, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, and luxurious spas.
In conclusion, owning a superyacht is an exclusive status symbol for the world’s wealthy elite.
These vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from $30 million to over $400 million, and feature some of the most luxurious amenities imaginable.
Notable owners include the Emir of Qatar, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Who are the Owners of Superyachts?
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From Hollywood celebrities to tech billionaires, superyacht owners come from all walks of life.
Many of the most well-known owners are billionaires, including Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Other notable owners include Hollywood stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp.
However, not all superyacht owners are wealthy.
Many are everyday people who have worked hard and saved up to purchase their dream vessel.
Other notable billionaire owners include Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and former US President Donald Trump.
These luxurious vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from $30 million to over $400 million.
For many superyacht owners, their vessels serve as a status symbol of wealth and luxury.
Some owners prefer to keep their yachts out of the public eye, while others have made headlines with their extensive amenities – from swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas.
Many of these yachts are designed to the owner’s exact specifications, ensuring that each one is totally unique and reflects the owner’s individual tastes and personality.
Owning a superyacht is an exclusive club, reserved for those with the means and the desire to experience the ultimate in luxury.
Whether they are billionaires or everyday people, superyacht owners are all united in their love of the sea and their appreciation for the finer things in life.
The Most Expensive Superyacht in the World
When it comes to superyachts, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, certainly knows how to make a statement.
His luxury vessel, the 463-foot Al Mirqab, holds the title of the world’s most expensive superyacht.
Built in 2008 by German shipbuilder Peters Werft, this impressive yacht is complete with 10 luxurious cabins, a conference room, cinema, and all the amenities one would expect from a vessel of this magnitude.
In addition, the Al Mirqab features a helipad, swimming pool, and even an outdoor Jacuzzi.
With a price tag of over $400 million, the Al Mirqab is one of the most expensive yachts in the world.
In addition to the Emir of Qatar, there are several other notable owners of superyachts.
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos all own luxurious vessels.
Bezos yacht, the aptly named The Flying Fox, is one of the longest superyachts in the world at a staggering 414 feet in length.
The Flying Fox also comes with a host of amenities, such as a helipad, swimming pool, spa, and multiple outdoor entertaining areas.
Bezos also reportedly spent over $400 million on the vessel.
Other notable owners of superyachts include Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who owns the $200 million Kingdom 5KR, and Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who owns the $200 million Rising Sun.
There are also many lesser-known owners, such as hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin, who owns the $150 million Aviva, and investor Sir Philip Green, who owns the $100 million Lionheart.
No matter who owns them, superyachts are sure to turn heads.
With their impressive size, luxurious amenities, and hefty price tags, these vessels have become a symbol of wealth and prestige.
Whether its the Emir of Qatar or a lesser-known owner, the worlds superyacht owners are sure to make a statement.
Notable Superyacht Owners
![who owns super yacht sibelle](https://boatpursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/who-owns-which-superyacht-1694573683.395371-300x152.jpg)
When it comes to the wealthiest and most luxurious owners of superyachts, the list reads like a whos who of the worlds billionaires.
At the top of the list is the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who holds the distinction of owning the most expensive superyacht in the world.
Aside from the Emir, other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
All of these owners have made headlines with their extravagant vessels, which are typically priced between $30 million and $400 million.
The amenities that come with these vessels vary greatly from owner to owner, but they almost always include luxurious swimming pools, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, and spas.
Some owners opt for more extravagant features, such as submarines, personal submarines, and even their own personal submarines! Other owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye, but for those who prefer a more showy approach, they can certainly make a statement with a superyacht.
No matter who owns the vessel, it’s no surprise that these superyachts are a status symbol among the world’s wealthiest.
Whether you’re trying to impress your peers or just looking to enjoy a luxurious outing, owning a superyacht is the ultimate way to show off your wealth.
What Amenities are Included on Superyachts?
Owning a superyacht is a sign of wealth and prestige, and many of the worlds most prominent billionaires have their own vessels.
The most expensive superyacht in the world is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, while other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
The cost of a superyacht can range from $30 million to over $400 million, but the price tag doesnt quite capture the sheer extravagance and amenities of these vessels.
Superyachts come with all the comforts of home, and then some.
Many owners will equip their vessels with swimming pools, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, spas, and other luxury amenities.
The interior of a superyacht can be custom-designed to the owners specifications.
Some owners opt for modern, sleek designs, while others prefer a more traditional look.
Many of the most luxurious yachts feature marble floors, walk-in closets, and custom-made furniture.
Some vessels even come with a full-service gym, complete with exercise equipment and trained professionals.
Other amenities may include a library, casino, media room, and private bar.
When it comes to outdoor amenities, superyachts have some of the most impressive features in the world.
Many yachts come with outdoor entertainment areas, complete with full kitchens, dining rooms, and lounge areas.
Some owners even opt for hot tubs or jacuzzis for relaxing afternoons in the sun.
And, of course, there are the jet skis, water slides, and other exciting water activities that come with many of these vessels.
No matter what amenities a superyacht has, it is sure to be an experience like no other.
From the sleek interiors to the luxurious outdoor features, these vessels provide a unique, luxurious experience that is unrivaled on land.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing escape or an exciting adventure, a superyacht is sure to provide.
How Much Do Superyachts Cost?
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When it comes to superyachts, the sky is the limit when it comes to cost.
These luxury vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from anywhere between $30 million to over $400 million.
So, if youre in the market for a superyacht, youre looking at an investment that could easily break the bank.
The cost of a superyacht is driven by a variety of factors, including size, amenities, and customization.
Generally, the larger the yacht, the more expensive it will be.
Superyachts typically range in size from 100 feet to over 200 feet, and they can be as wide as 40 feet.
The bigger the yacht, the more luxurious features and amenities it will have.
Amenities also play a significant role in the cost of a superyacht.
While some owners prefer to keep their yachts out of the public eye, others have made headlines with their extensive amenities.
From swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas, the sky is the limit when it comes to customizing a superyacht.
The more amenities a superyacht has, the more expensive it will be.
Finally, customization is another major factor that will drive up the cost of a superyacht.
Many luxury vessels have custom-designed interiors that are tailored to the owners tastes.
From custom furniture and artwork to lighting and audio systems, the cost of a superyacht can quickly escalate depending on the level of customization.
In short, the cost of a superyacht can vary widely depending on its size, amenities, and customization.
While some may be able to get away with spending a few million dollars, others may end up spending hundreds of millions of dollars on their dream yacht.
No matter what your budget is, its important to do your research and find out exactly what youre getting for your money before signing on the dotted line.
Keeping Superyachts Out of the Public Eye
When it comes to owning a superyacht, some owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye.
Understandably, these individuals are concerned with privacy and discretion, and therefore tend to take measures to ensure their yachts are not visible to outsiders.
For instance, some superyacht owners opt to keep their vessels in private marinas, away from the public areas of larger ports.
Additionally, some yacht owners may choose to hire security guards to patrol and protect their vessels while they are moored or sailing.
In addition to physical security, some superyacht owners also use technology to keep their vessels out of the public eye.
For example, a yacht owner may choose to install a satellite-based communications system that allows them to keep their vessel completely off-radar.
This system works by bouncing signals off satellites rather than transmitting them, making it virtually impossible for anyone to track the yachts movements.
Finally, some superyacht owners also choose to limit the number of people who have access to their vessels.
For instance, the owner may only allow family members and close friends to board the yacht.
Additionally, the owner may choose to employ a limited number of staff to help maintain the vessel and keep it running smoothly.
These individuals may be required to sign non-disclosure agreements to ensure they do not disclose any information about the yacht or its owner.
Overall, while some superyacht owners may choose to keep their vessels out of the public eye, there are still plenty of other ways to show off the opulence associated with owning a superyacht.
From swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas, there are many luxurious amenities that can make a superyacht the envy of any jet setter.
Final Thoughts
Superyachts are a symbol of luxury and status, and the list of yacht owners reads like a who’s who of billionaires.
From the Emir of Qatar’s world-record breaking $400 million yacht to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s vessel with a helicopter pad and on-board spa, the amenities of these luxury vessels are truly stunning.
With prices ranging from $30 million to over $400 million, owning a superyacht is an expensive endeavor.
Whether you’re looking to purchase one or just curious to learn more about the owners and their amenities, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to stay up to date with the superyacht scene.
James Frami
At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.
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4 bodies found inside the Bayesian, Mike Lynch family yacht, amid search
Four bodies were recovered inside the Bayesian superyacht on Wednesday, more than two days after it sank off the coast of Italy , setting off an exhaustive search for six missing people, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch .
Two of the bodies discovered earlier on Wednesday were brought to shore. One body recovered was a heavily built man, Reuters reported.
Six of the ship's 22 passengers, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, went missing after the yacht plunged under the water just before 5 a.m. on Monday as a storm swept across the area. Americans are among the missing, officials have said.
The U.K.-registered yacht belonged to Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, who was also on board and was rescued. The tech tycoon was recently acquitted on fraud charges after a year under house arrest.
Ricardo Thomas, the ship's cook, was found dead on Monday, according to the coast guard.
The rescue mission saw a diving team, helicopters and multiple coast guard ships deployed to search the water. Fifteen people were pulled from the water on Monday, and eight were hospitalized in stable condition.
A 'black swan event'? Experts puzzle over why Bayesian yacht sank
An investigation opened by local prosecutors into the cause of the disaster is ongoing. Experts have pointed to a water spout, a tornado over the water that can travel up to 120 mph, that formed during the storm, as well as the heavy weight of ship's mast, one of the largest in the world.
The 184-feet-long ship was made by Italian ship manufacturer Perini in 2008.
Lynch set off on the cruise late last month to celebrate his acquittal on fraud charges in the U.S. that marked a decade of legal challenges, the Associated Press reported .
One of his lawyers and a character witness for Lynch during the trial were also on board and vanished when the boat went down. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the four people found.
Here are the passengers who were declared missing.
Mike Lynch and Hannah Lynch
Mike Lynch, 59, is co-founder of Britain’s largest enterprise software, Autonomy, which was sold to Hewlett-Packard in 2011, and founder of venture capital fund Invoke Capital.
Sometimes known as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” Lynch was slapped with charges after HP said it had uncovered deceit and a major accounting scandal within the firm. He spent a year on house arrest after being extradited from the UK.
In early June, at the end of a 12-week trial, a San Francisco jury acquitted Lynch of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was also cleared on a charge of securities fraud later that month.
Lynch and Bacares have two daughters and six dogs, all named after engineering parts, according to the U.K.’s Sunday Times in a profile of Lynch from last month.
Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, was also among the missing. She was preparing to study English literature at Oxford University, according to the Sunday Times.
Hannah is the younger of Mike Lynch’s two daughters, the Times reported . Mike Lynch told the outlet that his daughters had grown up with their father being publicly accused of fraud.
Jonathan Bloomer and Judy Bloomer
Jonathan Bloomer is the non-executive chairman of both Morgan Stanley International and the insurer Hiscox, among other companies. Bloomer acted as a character witness on Lynch’s behalf during his fraud trial.
Hiscox Chief Executive Aki Hussain told Reuters in a statement that the firm was deeply shocked and saddened and their thoughts were with all those affected.
Bloomer’s twin brother, Jeremy, told BBC that he is processing the news and the family is waiting to hear updates.
“He was my elder by half an hour, so, it means a lot when you lose a twin brother,” Jeremy Bloomer told BBC. “We’ll still wait and see, so it’s fingers crossed.”
Jonathan Bloomer’s wife, Judy, is a psychotherapist of nearly three decades and former teacher. She specializes in anxiety and stress. She studied English language and literature at Homerton College in Cambridge.
Christopher Morvillo and Neda Morvillo
A lawyer with Clifford Chance, Chris Morvillo was among the team that represented Mike Lynch during his trial. Morvillo is an American citizen.
He was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1999 to 2005, and he worked on the criminal investigation stemming from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Morvillo was a graduate of Fordham University School of Law and Villanova University.
Neda Morvillo, his wife, owns a hand-crafted jewelry company under her maiden name, Neda Nassiri. The company’s website said she has been designing and making jewelry for over 20 years.
In a post on LinkedIn after the conclusion of Lynch’s trial, Chris Morvillo acknowledged his family for their support during the case.
“And, finally, a huge thank you to my patient and incredible wife, Neda Morvillo, and my two strong, brilliant, and beautiful daughters, Sabrina Morvillo and Sophia Morvillo. None of this would have been possible without your love and support. I am so glad to be home.
And they all lived happily ever after…."
Contributing: Reuters
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British mother rescues her baby from waters after superyacht capsizes off Italian coast
Mother charlotte said she tried to scream for help but could only hear the screams of others as she saved her daughter, article bookmarked.
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A baby is among those being treated in hospital after a superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily , with her mother revealing how she rescued her.
Six tourists , including British technology tycoon Mike Lynch , are missing after the luxury boat Bayeasian capsized in bad weather at about 5am near Palermo. One of the survivors, a 35-year-old British mother named Charlotte, told Italian media outlet la Reppublica how she held her one-year-old daughter, called Sofia, above her head to save her from drowning.
Follow our liveblog here for all the latest updates
![who owns super yacht sibelle British tech tycoon Mike Lynch is among the missing passengers (Yui Mok/PA)](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/28/10/7a244cea0ce3736061ec219e06a18011Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzIyMjQxMTQw-2.41973060.jpg)
“For two seconds I lost my baby in the sea, then I immediately hugged her again amid the fury of the waves,” she said. “I held her afloat with all my strength, my arms stretched upwards to keep her from drowning,’ she added.
“It was all dark. In the water I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I screamed for help but all I could hear around me was the screams of others.”
Both Charlotte and Sofia, as well as her husband James, are being treated in hospital. A body, believed to be that of the vessel’s chef, has been found and 15 people were rescued, including Mr Lynch’s wife.
According to reports, four of the missing passengers are British and two are American, while other rescued passengers were from New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Ireland.
![who owns super yacht sibelle The Bayesian, left, was built in 2008 and sank in bad weather overnight (Fabio La Bianca/PA)](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/08/19/12/ca18fa319c4bd75deb3f7185c08f129cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzI0MTUzNjU5-2.77186561.jpg)
Karsten Borner, captain of a nearby boat, told journalists those missing included the Bayesian’s owner and a child. He said his crew took on board some survivors who were on a life raft, including three who were seriously injured.
Fisherman Francesco Cefalu said he sailed from the shore to the scene after seeing a flare at about 4.30am, but by the time he arrived Bayesian had already sunk, with only items such as cushions and wood floating in the water.
He added: “I think they are inside, all the missing people.”
Prosecutors in the nearby town of Termini Imerese have opened an investigation to look into what had gone wrong.
The Bayesian was built by Italian shipbuilder Perini in 2008 and was last refitted in 2020, and was managed by yachting company Camper & Nicholsons.
A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: “We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Sicily, and stand ready to provide consular support to British nationals affected.”
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