aquijo sailing yacht price

Oceanco 2016

Summer Charter

From €505,000 p/w

Winter Charter

Please enquire

Sophistication. Volume. Pedigree.

Built by Vitters and Oceanco, 86m sailing yacht Aquijo redefines the top-end sailing experience. With vast interior volumes, an Aquijo yacht charter offers the space and amenities normally only seen on motor yachts. These include a guest elevator, interior and exterior dining for up to 24, three outdoor bars and a stunning beach club with steam room, sauna and ocean view Jacuzzi. A mast of 90 metres and an impressive sail plan ensure spectacular sailing and 7 adaptable cabins provide ultimate accommodation flexibility for up to 12 guests. Combining the vision of an experienced yacht Owner with the finest Dutch craftsmanship, Aquijo sets new standards in sailing and sophistication.

Not for sale or charter to U.S. residents while in U.S. waters

CHARTER LOCATION

Summer: South Pacific & Australasia

Standout Features

This is Aquijo

Unparalleled space

More space that other sailing yachts, with impressive ceiling heights.

Easy access between decks.

Private Terrace

Extends from the Principal cabin.

Adaptable Layout

A flexible seven-cabin layout offers numerous possibilities for any group.

Outdoor Bars

With a bar on three of her four decks Aquijo is set up to entertain.

Spectacular Flybridge

Spacious with large sofas, Jacuzzi, sunpads and gimballed tables.

Dutch Pedigree

Built by Vitters and Oceanco, Aquijo boasts exceptional pedigree from two top Dutch shipyards.

Unusual for a sailing yacht, the beach club offers a spawith steam room, sauna, hot tub and lounge.

Main deck's 24-seater dining table, BBQ, and bar create the ultimate social space..

Media Gallery

Aquijo Through the Lens

Sailing but not as you know it

Superlative Spaces

On the flybridge, which is impressively spacious, there are large sofas, a Jacuzzi, sunpads and gimballed tables (so your drinks stay put). It’s a superlative space to relax or take in the sailing action.

Entertainment Guaranteed

With a bar on three of her four decks, there’s every opportunity for seamless service at all times. Try the main deck, where there’s a 12-seater bar with a retractable television, multi-coloured lighting and beer on tap.

Dine Under the Stars

When it comes to dining, there’s nowhere better than the 24 person dining table on the main deck aft, situated under a retractable skylight.

Accommodation

Total Escapism

Aquijo offers total disconnection and complete freedom. Her seven adaptable cabins, with no TVs or Audio systems, offer numerous layout possibilities for different groups. The peace and escapism is unrivalled.

Cabin Arrangement

Principal Cabin

The bridge-deck master suite features his and hers ensuites and a private terrace with gimballed dining table.

Convertible Cabins

Two cabins each with ensuite and lounge that split into two separate cabins if needed.

Guest Cabins

Two additional guest cabins; one is wheelchair accessible.

Make a Splash

What's in the Toybox

2 x 8m Tenders 1 x 6m Tenders 11 Plastic kayaks Jetski One-man Hobie Quest Fanatic inflatable SUP Fanatic rigid SUP Wakeboards RS Aero sailing dinghies Sets of dive gear Fishing rods Assorted inflatable toys

Please note that the tenders and toys on board the yachts are regularly updated. Please contact Y.CO for the most up to date list.

Charter Aquijo in South America

Adventures In Nature

Bahia Herradura to Puerto Jimenez. Cruise from Costa Rica to Panama. Live la Pura Vida. Raft on the Pacuare River. Fly over vibrant green landscapes.

A Chain of Offshore Jewels

Cucumber Beach Marina to Belize City. A twelve day exploration of Belize's uninhabited islands and atolls by superyacht.

A Peaceful Green Jewel

Playa Herradura to Marina Papagayo. Discover Costa Rica, an adventurer’s dream. A peaceful idyll. Wildlife wherever you turn.

Untouched Wilderness

Las Catalinas to Puerto Jimenez. Experience the endless possibilities that a yacht charter on Costa Rica’s coastline has to offer.

Charter Aquijo in the South Pacific and Australasia

Pearl of the Pacific

Port Denarau to Port Denarau. Take a step back from the hustle and bustle of city life and escape to the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands; white sandy beaches, blue lagoons and luxurious resorts.

Natural Paradise

Whangaroa to Auckland. Epic landscapes. Green islands. Mirror calm turquoise waters. New Zealand is the ultimate playground of the Pacific.

Uninterrupted Island Bliss

Samarai to Alotau. Venture off the grid and cruise through the Milne Bay Region of Papua New Guinea.

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• South Pacific
• East Mediterranean
• West Mediterranean
• Bahamas & Caribbean
• South East Asia
• North America
• Indian Ocean
• Central & South America
• Northern Europe
• Yacht Marketing
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• Meet The Team
• Yachting for purpose

Built in 2016, this spectacular 85m yacht is the world’s largest high-performing k etch and marks Vitters Shipyard and Oceanco’s first cooperative effort.  

Designed by Tripp Design Naval Architecture, AQUIJO is a breathtaking sailing yacht that offers the ultimate comfort and space. The contemporary luxury interiors are the highest possible quality whilst also featuring 270-degree panoramic views. The lower deck includes 6 guest cabins, each with their very own ensuite bathroom. Also situated on the lower deck is the exquisite beach club which has a jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna.  

Her unique steering system provides guests with impeccable sailing experience. This is an astonishing yacht that is designed to take you on a sail of a lifetime.  

• Charter Conditions
• Tender and Watersports

Tax Status:  Charter taxes, where applicable, will be due according to the rules and regulations of the chosen cruising destination Contracts:  MYBA – All agreements to be drawn up using the current MYBA E-contract Charter Agreement – Revised 2017 version

2 x 8m semi rigid tenders   1 x 6m military spec fully inflatable tender for ice and beach landings   1 x Yamaha Waverunner Jetski (3-person)   2 x One man Hobie Quest 11 plastic kayaks   2 x inflatable 2 persons kayaks   2 x Airhead inflatable towing donuts   1 x Sports Stuff inflatable half-pipe (2-person)   2 x Wakeboards – Hyperlite : Tribute   2 x JOBE Allegre Water Ski   1 x JOBE Progress Water Ski   2 x Fanatic inflatable SUP   1 x Fanatic rigid SUP   2 x RS Aero sailing Dinghy’s   8 x Sets of dive gear   6 Fishing rods for towing and casting with all related equipment   Assorted inflatable toys for floating behind the yacht: Flamingo, swan, pizza slice, pineapple   Jacuzzi’s: 1 on Fly Bridge, 1 large Jacuzzi in Beach Club plus sauna and steam room

2016   Oceanco    282ft  /  86m

AQUIJO Yacht Charter

AQUIJO currently registered in the Cayman Islands is actively available for charter in several cruising destinations.

The luxury sailing yacht AQUIJO was built by Oceanco and delivered to her owner in 2016.

The exterior of AQUIJO is designed by Tripp Design.

The 282ft / 86m AQUIJO has been constructed with a steel hull and is powered by 2x Caterpillar 18 with a cruising speed of 15 knots.

Charter guest accommodation

AQUIJO has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 12 charter guests in 6 suites.

The guest cabins comprise a primary suite with a king size bed and en-suite bathroom facilities, 3 cabins with a king size bed and en-suite bathroom facilities and 2 cabins with a twin bed and en-suite bathroom facilities.

Your luxury charter crew

Your luxury charter on board sailing yacht AQUIJO will be managed by the crew of 20 including the captain.

The crew will ensure you have a relaxed and enjoyable charter experience with all of your needs catered for while on board.

The 20 crew have their own separate crew quarters allowing guests to enjoy increased levels of privacy.

Amenities & Entertainment

Amenities on board for the charter guests include Air Conditioning, Beach club, Elevator, Exercise equipment, Gym, Jacuzzi on deck, Sauna, Steam room, Sun pads and Wi-Fi.

An extensive list of further amenities and water toys can be seen under the features and amenities section.

Yacht charter destinations

AQUIJO is Currently cruising in Central America and Northern Europe.

Sample itineraries for the cruising destinations can be supplied by your professional charter broker allowing you to plan your luxury yacht charter vacation in detail.

• Sea of Cortez

Northern Europe

• Air Conditioning
• Exercise equipment
• Jacuzzi on deck
• Paddleboard
• Sailing dinghy
• Tube - towable
• Water skis - adult
• Snorkeling Gear

Destinations

Frequently Asked Questions

How much to charter aquijo.

AQUIJO has a weekly charter price starting at €505,000 and an estimated daily charter price of €84,200.

How many guests on board AQUIJO?

AQUIJO can accommodate 12 sleeping guests on board in 6 cabins.

Where is AQUIJO currently located?

AQUIJO was last seen in Polynesia.

Legal Disclaimer

Sailing Yacht AQUIJO is displayed on this page for informational purposes and may not necessarily be available for charter. The yacht details are displayed in good faith and whilst believed to be correct are not guaranteed, please check with your charter broker. Charter Index does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or images displayed as they may not be current. All yacht details and charter pricing are subject to change without prior notice and are without warranty.

U.S. Customs & Border Protection

The yachting industry has no global listing service to which all charter yachts must subscribe to, making it impossible to ascertain a truly up-to-date view of the market. Charter Index is a news and information service and not always informed when yachts leave the charter market, or when they are recently sold and renamed, it is not always clear if they are still for charter. Whilst we endeavour to maintain accurate information, the existence of a listing on Charter Index should in no way supersede official documentation supplied by the representatives of a yacht.

Specification

Popular related yachts

Central america.

AQUIJO For Charter

She really does offer an incredible, top-end sailing experience. - Broker

Experience an ultra-luxury, high performance sailing yacht.

86 metre AQUIJO is the world’s largest high-performance ketch. She combines supreme craftsmanship with a striking design and comfortable world cruising capability.

Born from the first collaboration between Dutch shipbuilding titans Oceanco and Vitters, AQUIJO stands as the epitome of a superyacht sailing experience. Her sleek jet-blue hull and white superstructure make a striking yet elegant visual statement, while her design as a fast-cruising ketch defies conventions. The yacht offers an unprecedented blend of advanced sailing technology and sumptuous onboard amenities.

Evocative without being nostalgic, AQUIJO showcases cutting-edge construction techniques on an impressive scale.

The best of AQUIJO

• Principal suite on bridge deck features private elevator access and terrace.
• Fabulous beach club plus a Jacuzzi and sauna.
• Flexible accommodation for up to 12 guests.
• Gym / Exercise Equipment
• Jet Ski / Waverunner
• Sauna / Steam Room
• Swimming Pool / Deck Jacuzzi

2 x 8m semi rigid tenders 1 x 6m Military spec fully inflatable tender for beach landings 1 x Yamaha Waverunner Jetski (3-person) 2 x Jet skis YAMAHA VX1050B-AA 2024 VX CRUISER.(New 2024) 2 x AWAKE RAVIK 3 Electric surfboard (New 2024) 1X ZAPATA FB04600L FLYBOARD (new 2024) 2 x Rigid kayaks 2 x Inflatable 2-person kayaks 2 x Airhead inflatable towing donuts 2 x Wakeboards – Hyperlite, Tribute 2 x JOBE Allegre water skis 1 x JOBE Progress water skis 4 x Rigid SUP 8 x Sets of dive gear 6 x Fishing rods for towing and casting with all related equipment volleyball net and set up Assorted inflatable toys Jacuzzi's: 1 large Jacuzzi in Beach Club plus sauna and steam room and second Jacuzzi on Fly Bridge,

AQUIJO accommodates 12 guests in 7 stylish staterooms.

• Length: 86m/282ft
• Gross Tonnage: 1538
• Beam: 14.5m
• Max. Draught: 5.3m/17ft 5"
• Hull construction: Steel
• Interior Designer: Dolker & Voges GmbH
• Naval Architect: Tripp Design
• Engines: 2 x CAT 18, 1350kw
• Generators: 2 x CAT C9, 1 x CAT C8
• Range: 3200nm
• Flag: Cayman Islands
• Classification Society: Lloyds Register (LR)

Location and rates

South Pacific

EUR 505,000

EUR 605,000

Australasia

Her adaptable staterooms and serene surroundings provide unrivaled peace and escapism. - Broker

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AQUIJO Oceanco

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86M SAILING YACHT | From EUR€ 450,000/wk

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If you have any questions about the AQUIJO information page below please contact us .

The breath-taking 86-metre sailing yacht AQUIJO (Hull Y711/Hull 3069, Project 85) by Oceanco and Vitters is a massive all-aluminium ketch-rigged vessel, with the launch in 2015. The hull of mega yacht AQUIJO was built by Zwijnenburg, while her superstructure is by Aluship.The luxurious 86-metre Oceanco and Vitters superyacht AQUIJO boasts both naval architectures as well as exterior design by Bill Tripp. She bears beautiful interior design by Dolker & Voges. Accommodation onboard is offered for up to 12 guests in 7 lavish cabins.

NOTABLE FEATURES: ~ Seaworthy & powerful performance sailing yacht ~ Whirpool tub on the sundeck ~ Spa centre with Jacuzzi, sauna & steam room ~ Sophisticated & modern interior styling ~ Swim platform ~ State-of-the-art technology

The superb living spaces are spread across the flybridge deck, owner's deck, main deck, and the beach club deck. This luxury sailing yacht features consistency in style with an "au naturel" spirit and closer-to-the-sea cruising experience, which creates airy and light ambience. The modern interiors feature a light wood-tone tone, with remarkable stainless steel details and colourful upholstery.

Aft of the flybridge is a large Jacuzzi with dining area, as well as a lounge with plush sofas. There is also a seating area next to the helm station to enjoy the view and to be closer to the action.

The owner's deck boasts the owner's stateroom with private access to the dining area, bar and lounges aft. The wide staircase from there leads directly to the main deck.

AQUIJO Specifications

The guests can sip on a glass of wine or enjoy some high-quality tap beer at the bar on the main deck. There is a retractable TV for those who love watching sports games or simply favourite TV shows or movies. There is a retractable roof in the dining area for 20 guests, which makes family dinners and social gatherings more special. Vast seating area wraps a couple of small tables, perfect for a bbq light snacks during the day.

Lower of the main deck is the Spa centre with a Jacuzzi of a considerable size centre of the deck. Another lounge area onboard is located starboard and sauna, and steam room is on the port side. The swim platform provides easy access to the water, as well as a fabulous sunbathing space. The striking three-deck mega yacht AQUIJO can comfortably sleep 12 guests. Luxury yacht AQUIJO (Hull Y711/Hull 3069, Project 85) by Oceanco and Vitters is a breath-taking performing and comfortable cruising vessel, suitable for long-range world-wide cruising and with long-time independence from shore.

Yacht Accommodation

Modern and stylish accommodation aboard AQUIJO superyacht is offered to 12 guests.

Amenities and Extras

We do have available further amenity, owner and price information for the 86.00m (282' 2") yacht AQUIJO, so please enquire for more information.

AQUIJO Disclaimer:

The luxury yacht AQUIJO displayed on this page is merely informational and she is not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she represented or marketed in anyway by CharterWorld. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and informations are displayed in good faith but CharterWorld does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

Quick Enquiry

“Sailing yachts have long combined nature with manmade beauty.” - ED DUBOIS “I think that one of the best things about Vitters is a conscious effort to make each yacht better than the last one. And better, you can have a long discussion about what better means, but better really in terms of quality. They have achieved that. And the finished project always batted my expectation.” - NIGEL INGRAM

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Aquijo is a custom sailing yacht launched in 2016 by Vitters Shipyard, in the Netherlands.

Vitters Shipyard is a well established and respected custom yacht builder situated in Zwartsluis, The Netherlands. The facility opened in 1990 and has delivered an impressive list of yachts, working with top designers, up to 75 meter in length.

Aquijo measures 86 metres in length, with a max draft of 5.3 feet and a beam of 14.5 feet. She has a gross tonnage of 1,538 tonnes.

Aquijo has a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure.

Bill Tripp, III comes by yacht design naturally. His father Bill Tripp, Jr. was an illustrious naval architect and after spending his childhood sailing in his father’s designs, Bill chose to make naval architecture his career.

Her interior design is by Dölker Voges.

Aquijo also features naval architecture by Tripp Design Naval Architects.

Performance and Capabilities

Aquijo has a fuel capacity of 97,800 litres, and a water capacity of 26,000 litres.

Accommodation

Aquijo accommodates up to 16 guests in 7 cabins. She also houses room for up to 17 crew members.

Other Specifications

Aquijo has a hull NB of Y711.

She is also fitted with a jacuzzi (on deck).

• Naval Architect Tripp Design Naval Architects No profile available
• Exterior Designer Tripp Design Naval Architects No profile available
• Interior Designer Dölker Voges No profile available

Yacht Specs

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Largest Private Yacht Charter Sailing Ketch In The World

VESSEL SPECIFICATIONS

TOYS AND TENDERS

3 x 8 meter Tenders 2 Kayaks 2 Paddleboards 2 RS Aero Sailing Dinghy's 8 Sets of SCUBA dive gear Wakeboards (multiple sizes) Waterskis (multiple sizes) Exercise Bike Vibration Plate Dumbells Hand weights Yoga mats Wifi Deck jacuzzi hot tub

PRESENTING AQUIJO

It took two famous Dutch shipyards to collaborate and build sail yacht AQUIJO, the largest private ketch on earth.  The 83-meter yacht was jointly created by Dutch shipyards Oceanco and Vitters with each yard handling their respective fields of expertise.  This massive private yacht charter vessel accommodates up to 12 charter guests and boasts four decks in a superstructure designed to merge indoor and outdoor living areas.  Her long, clear sightlines are credited to Tripp Design Naval Architecture, with the studio of Dölker + Voges responsible for Oceanco and Vitters yacht AQUIJO interior design.

VITTERS CREATION

The steering system for sailing yacht AQUIJO was designed and developed by Vitters. It works by translating the hydrodynamic forces on the yacht’s rudder blades directly to the steering wheels in the flybridge.  This provides the helmsman with immediate feedback and eases the ability to sail and change directions without disturbing charter guests.

Boarding the vessel’s main deck from the aft, visitors see an immense al-fresco dining table which can seat 20. The table separates into two smaller tables. In specific, tables seating six each.  A wet bar is positioned near the doors that lead into the main salon.  The main salon offers comfortable seating for 10. Forward of the salon is the private dining room with elegant seating for 20 guests.

Moving up to the Sundeck (flybridge) there are two helm stations serving as the main control station for the crew to sail the vessel.  Guests will find comfortable sofas where they can watch the crew sail the yacht, or watch the scenery pass by.  In the aft area of the deck, there is a Jacuzzi style hot tub and sun pad for lounging and sun worship.

CONVERSATION AREA

Off the main deck is the aft deck – a large area with a selection of sofa seating and room for the crew to set up a barbeque.  An interesting conversation piece is a large skylight in the deck floor that illuminates the Beach Club below.  The aft deck extends down a small flight of wide stairs to the swimming platform. This feature is popular on large motor yachts.  It is rare on sailing yachts.  Only the largest sailboats have the necessary space for a relaxation deck close to the water’s edge.

The yacht’s beach club is truly a masterpiece.  No other sailing yacht has a full-sized Wellness center with so many amenities.  It features a teak and sculpted wooden interior by the craftsmen at the Oceanco shipyard.   Amenities in this spa area include a hot tub, roomy sauna, and steam room.  An aft door opens to allow views of the outdoors from the hot tub.

BOW (FRONT)

At the front of the yacht is the Foredeck, a quiet area away from the other decks.  Here guests can sit in sofas and feel the full force of the wind and listening to the waves pound against the bow.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR YACHT CHARTER

In conclusion, book sail yacht AQuiJO for your own private luxury yacht charter vacation today. Contact your yacht charter brokers at 1-800 Yacht Charters at 305-720-7245. If you prefer, complete our online inquiry form at https://1800yachtcharters.com/book-now/  .

We will be in touch with you right away to plan  The Superyacht Experience ™  for you!

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AQUIJO Yacht Layout & GA Plans

86m  /  282'2   oceanco   2016.

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Who was onboard tech mogul Mike Lynch's Bayesian yacht?

Topic: Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents

Six people are missing, including a man dubbed the British Bill Gates, after a luxury yacht sank off the Sicilian coast.

British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch — freshly acquitted from a decade-long trial — had invited his work colleagues aboard a trip through the Mediterranean coast when a freak storm saw the yacht sink within moments.

Fifteen people escaped from the sinking vessel. The search for the missing continues.

Here's what we know so far: 

What happened?

The Italian coastguard said the yacht — the Bayesian — was anchored off the shore of port city Porticello, near the Sicilian capital Palermo, when it was hit by bad weather sometime after 4am on Monday, local time. 

Eyewitnesses said it vanished quickly beneath the waves shortly before dawn.

Managers of the sailing vessel Bayesian, Camper & Nicholsons, confirmed to the ABC that the Bayesian encountered severe weather and subsequently sank. 

"Our priority is assisting with the ongoing search and providing all necessary support to the rescued passengers and crew," they said. 

"The wind was very strong. Bad weather was expected, but not of this magnitude," a coastguard official told Reuters.

Sicily's civil protection agency head, Salvo Cocina, said a waterspout — a tornado over the water — could have struck the yacht.

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time," Mr Cocina added. 

Storms and heavy rainfall had swept down Italy in recent days after weeks of scorching heat, lifting the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea to record levels and raising the risk of extreme weather conditions, experts told Reuters.

"The sea surface temperature around Sicily was around 30 degrees Celsius, which is almost 3 degrees more than normal. This creates an enormous source of energy that contributes to these storms," meteorologist Luca Mercalli said.

Rescuers recover the body of one of the people aboard the Bayesian.  ( AP: Lucio Ganci )

Captain Karsten Borner of the Sir Robert Baden Powell vessel told journalists he noticed the Bayesian nearby during the storm, but after it calmed he saw a red flare and realised the ship had simply disappeared.

Mr Borner said he and a crew member boarded their tender and found a lifeboat with 15 people, some of them injured, who they then took aboard and alerted the coast guard.

Search crews, including helicopters and divers, are continuing to search the wreckage, lying at a depth of 49 metres.

Specialist divers reached the ship on Monday but access was limited due to objects in the way, the fire brigade said.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is deploying a team of four inspectors to Italy to conduct a preliminary assessment.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development office said it was "providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families".

Sicilian prosecutors have also opened an investigation into the event. 

Who is missing?

Lawyer Chris Morvillo (left), entrepreneur Mike Lynch, and Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer are among the missing. 

There were 12 passengers and 10 crew members aboard the yacht. 

Mr Cocina said the crew and passengers hailed from a variety of countries, including Britain, the United States, Antigua, France, Germany, Ireland, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain.

Of the 22, one man is confirmed dead and another six people are still missing. 

They are believed to be inside the hull, fire rescue spokesperson Luca Cari said.

Fabio Cefalù, a fisherman who said he responded to a flare from the vessel but found it sunk, said he stayed at the site for three hours without finding anyone.

"I think they are inside, all the missing people," he said.

Rescue teams recovered the body of the yacht's onboard chef on Monday, identified as Antiguan citizen Ricardo Thomas.

The still missing people include: 

• Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah 
• Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of global financial services company Morgan Stanley International
• Chris Morvillo , a lawyer at the British multinational law firm Clifford Chance. He worked on Mr Lynch's lawsuit against Hewlett-Packard
• The identities of the remaining two missing are still unconfirmed

Who was rescued? 

Fifteen people escaped from the sinking ship. 

Eight have been hospitalised and others were taken to a nearby hotel.

Charlotte Golunski was among those rescued, recalling the harrowing moments she held her child Sofia above the waves.  ( Supplied: Facebook  )

Among those rescued were:

• Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, who was the owner of the yacht
• Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter, Sofia. Ms Golunski is a partner at Mr Lynch's firm, Invoke Capital. She says she momentarily lost hold of Sofia in the water but managed to hold her up above the waves until the lifeboat was inflated
• Ms Golunski's husband James Emslie
• New Zealand captain of the yacht James Catfield. He told Italian newspaper La Repubblica the crew didn't see the storm coming
• A lone Dutch citizen was identified by the Dutch foreign ministry as being rescued, but was not identified

Who is Mike Lynch?

Mr Lynch, once hailed as Britain’s king of technology, was recently freed from a Silicon Valley lawsuit that tarnished his legacy. 

The 59-year-old Cambridge-educated mathematician created Autonomy , a search engine that could pore through emails and other internal business documents to help companies find vital information more quickly. 

He received the OBE for his innovation in 2006. 

He then sold the software to Hewlett-Packard (HP) for $US11 billion ($16 billion) in 2011, with Mr Lynch personally netting $US800 million. 

HP valued Autonomy at $US46 billion ($68 billion) in the months leading up to the deal.

Mike Lynch in 2019 leaving the High Court in London.  ( Reuters: Henry Nicholls/File Photo )

But the deal quickly turned sour after he was accused of forging the software's financial records to make the sale.

As part of a decades-long legal battle against HP, Mr Lynch was extradited to the UK on criminal fraud charges. 

He steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he was being made a scapegoat for HP's own bungling. 

He was eventually cleared of all charges in June this year. 

Although he avoided a possible prison sentence, Lynch still faced a bill from a civil case in London that HP mostly won during 2022. Damages haven't been determined in that case, but HP is seeking $US4 billion. 

Following the San Francisco trial, Mr Lynch said he would return to the UK and do what he loved most: "[being with] my family and innovating in my field."

The holiday appeared to be something of a celebration after Mr Lynch's acquittal, with guests including some of the people who had stood by Lynch throughout the ordeal.

This picture shows the rescue operations off the Sicilian coast.  ( AP: Italian Coast Guard  )

In a separate act of tragedy, Mr Lynch's co-defendant in the trial, Stephen Chamberlain, died on Monday, after a road accident left him critically injured.

Mr Chamberlain — Autonomy's former vice-president of finance alongside Mr Lynch — was hit by a car in Cambridgeshire on Saturday morning and had been placed on life support. 

What is the Bayesian?

The luxury yacht is 56m long sailboat, with a 75m mast labelled as the tallest aluminium mast in the world.

It was previously named Salute when it flew under a Dutch flag.

The yacht, built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, can accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites and a crew of 10, according to online specialist yacht sites. It was last refitted in 2020.

Online charter sites listed it for rent for up to 195,000 euros (about $AU 321,000) a week. 

This picture taken on Sunday shows the Bayesian (left) and the Duch sailboat Sir Robert Baden Powell anchored off the coast line.   ( AP: Fabio La Bianca/Baia Santa Nicolicchia )

The ship also won a string of awards for its design. 

Ms Golunski said the yacht had travelled through the Aeolian Islands, Milazzo and Cefalù before sinking. 

It is likely the yacht's name would resonate with Mr Lynch because his PhD thesis and the software that made his fortune was based on Bayesian theory.

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What caused the fatal sinking of the superyacht Bayesian?

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Victor Mallet and Visual and Data Journalism team in London

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

One of the world’s largest sailing superyachts sank in high winds off Sicily on Monday, causing the death of UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six other passengers and crew whose bodies were recovered from the wreck or from the sea.

The trip on the Lynch family’s yacht had been intended to celebrate his recent acquittal by a US jury, with 12 passengers on board, including his wife and 18-year-old daughter, and 10 crew members.

The Italian coastguard said the 56-metre, 540-tonne, British-flagged yacht Bayesian sank within minutes after it was hit by ferocious winds of 60 knots (over 110km/h) near Palermo.

The rapid sinking of such a large, modern and well-equipped yacht due to bad weather, rather than as a result of a collision, has raised concerns over marine safety as extreme weather events occur with more frequency and intensity.

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Why did the superyacht sink?

The yacht may well have been caught in a waterspout — a form of tornado — because the extreme wind speeds were recorded only in a localised area around the harbour of Porticello, where the boat was anchored about 300 metres offshore when it was struck.

Karsten Börner, the skipper of a nearby boat, told the FT that Bayesian appeared to capsize. He said he regarded the boat as unstable and his comments suggest that it could have been the combination of high winds and Bayesian’s 72-metre mast — the world’s tallest aluminium mast, according to manufacturers Perini Navi — that triggered the disaster.

Even with no sails up, a boat with a tall mast has a lot of “windage”, or surface area exposed to the wind, which can tip the vessel over in a storm. The boat may have heeled over so far that it took on water through open windows, hatches or companionways.

According to Perini Navi, Bayesian had a keel that can be lifted to reduce the draught of the boat — otherwise nearly 10 metres — for easier entrance to shallow harbours. If the keel were for some reason in the raised position rather than fully extended, that could compromise the boat’s stability in a strong wind.

Skippers of sailing yachts with exceptionally high masts typically aim to move out of harm’s way if strong winds are forecast.

Yacht designers and sailors are nevertheless puzzled by the sinking of the boat. AIS (Automatic Identification System) tracking data shows it took 16 minutes from the time Bayesian appeared to started dragging its anchor until it sank. But it is not yet known whether vulnerable hatches were open or when water started entering the boat. Italian prosecutors are investigating possible charges of manslaughter and “negligent shipwreck”.

Giovanni Costantino, chief executive of Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini Navi, told the Financial Times that Bayesian was “absolutely safe” and said the crew should have had time to secure the boat and evacuate passengers from their cabins.

Should we blame climate change?

Climate change is likely to have been at least a contributing factor in the Mediterranean’s unsettled and sometimes violent weather this summer. The Mediterranean is a favoured cruising ground for superyachts during the northern hemisphere summer — in winter, the wealthy prefer the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean — because the weather is typically warm and sunny, and storms are rare. 

Meteorological experts have long predicted that climate change and the heating-up of oceans will help trigger more extreme weather events, including floods, droughts and more severe hurricanes.

Last week, the Mediterranean reached a median temperature of 28.9C — its highest surface temperature on record — and similar records are being broken in other seas. June was the 15th consecutive month that global sea temperatures hit a record high and forecasters predict the warmer waters may fuel an intense Atlantic hurricane season.

Will disasters at sea occur more often?

While design improvements and safety regulations have made even the smallest boats safer, the potential dangers posed by bad weather are increasing in line with the rising number of pleasure vessels at sea.

Last week, a sudden and exceptionally strong thunderstorm with wind squalls blowing at up to 53 knots (about 100km/h) swept over the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Formentera, driving several sailing and motor yachts to crash on to the shore. Among those damaged and grounded but later recovered was a luxury, 30-metre vessel made by the Monaco-based Wally Yachts .

The cause was a thunderstorm known as a “Dana”, a Spanish acronym for depresión aislada en niveles altos or isolated high-altitude depression. The bad weather also caused serious flooding in Mallorca and Menorca to the north.

How can boat makers and skippers help avoid more deaths?

The weather in the Mediterranean is often notoriously unpredictable and prone to sudden, unforecast gales — unlike the north Atlantic, where weather shifts are usually signalled days in advance by changing air pressure and cloud formations visible to the naked eye.

Safety at sea depends largely on two factors: the seaworthiness of the boat and the skill and experience of the captain and crew.

Modern boats — Bayesian was built in 2008 and refurbished four years ago — are normally built to high safety standards and equipped with electronic navigation and communications systems, as well as standard emergency gear such as life vests.

Common accidents include people falling overboard, fires on board and accidental groundings or collisions — not sinking in bad weather.

Visual and data team: Alan Smith, Aditi Bhandhari, Ian Bott and Jana Tauschinski

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Morgan Stanley Chief Jonathan Bloomer Also On Sunken Bayesian Yacht With Michael Lynch

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The chairman of Morgan Stanley International was reportedly among the six missing people—including UK tech mogul Michael Lynch— after the 184-foot luxury sailing yacht Bayesian sank in rough seas near Sicily early Monday morning, according to new reports.

Italian emergency services headed out to sea towards the area off the Sicilian coast on Tuesday, ... [+] Aug. 20, 2024.

Lynch , a British tech entrepreneur and one-time billionaire, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah Lynch are confirmed to be among those still missing after the ship sank (his wife, Angela Bacares, was rescued).

Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of the Morgan Stanley International bank and insurance company Hiscox, is also reportedly among the missing along with his wife, Judy.

Authorities on Monday told the BBC the missing people are presumed to still be inside the boat, and rescue operations resumed Tuesday morning.

The vessel had 22 people on board — 10 crew and 12 passengers — including people from the United States, Britain and Canada, when it overturned at around 5 a.m. Monday, according to the Italian coast guard.

Fifteen people were rescued from the vessel (including a 1-year-old girl), one person was found dead and six, including two Americans , remain missing, according to multiple reports.

Local media reported the person who died was a member of the crew, thought to be the yacht’s chef .

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Who Are The Missing People Aboard The Bayesian Yacht?

Lynch, 59, and his daughter were the first to be reported as among the missing. Lynch's lawyer Chris Morvillo, a former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has also not been found, nor has his wife and jewelry designer Neda Morvillo. Bloomer, 70, a close friend of Lynch's, is also missing along with his wife, Judy.

Key Background

The Bayesian was anchored near the port of Porticello overnight Sunday when a harsh storm hit the coast that included a " waterspout ," a tornado-like swirling column of air and water. The ship tipped over and quickly was drug underwater by its massive mast —it had the tallest aluminum mast in the world at 246 feet. Of the 15 people rescued in the aftermath, eight were treated at a local hospital.

Lynch was acquitted in a fraud trial in June after he was accused by Hewlett-Packard of artificially inflating the value of Autonomy before HP bought it for more than $11 billion in 2011. HP wrote off $8.8 million of Autonomy's value within a year of buying the company. Today, The Times estimates Lynch has a net worth of £500 million. He "had a lot of pride" in his yacht, a member of his staff told the U.K. paper, and business filings show the boat is legally owned by his wife, Bacares.

Surprising Fact: Lynch's Co-Defendant Stephen Chamberlain Died The Same Weekend

Stephen Chamberlain, who was acquitted in the same trial as Lynch in June, died hours after news broke of Lynch's disappearance. Chamberlain was hit by a car while jogging in England on Saturday morning and was put on life support before his death was announced late Monday, the Guardian reported . Lynch and Chamberlain were both indicted for conspiracy and wire fraud in the sale of Autonomy to HP before being acquitted.

What To Watch For

An ongoing search operation includes divers attempting to search the vessel, now sitting 160 feet below sea level, as well as rescue boats and helicopters, according to CNN .

$215,000. That's the cost to charter the Bayesian, a single-mast sailing vessel, for one week .

Crucial Quote

“She told me that while they were sleeping, at a certain point the yacht overturned due to the tornado, and they found themselves in the water,” Dr. Domenico Cipolla, head of the emergency room at the pediatric hospital in Palermo, Italy, told The Times . “Some of them immediately managed to get onto the lifeboat. And some, evidently, didn’t make it.”

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Aquijo: Inside the three-year circumnavigation of the world's largest ketch

Taking perilous winds in her stride, 86 metre Aquijo has just completed a mesmerising circumnavigation. Captain Gerhard Veldsman tells Georgia Boscawen about their awe-inspiring encounters

“When a glacier cracks and an apartment-sized block of ice falls to the water, it sounds like a gunshot,” recalls captain Gerhard Veldsman of Aquijo . Few things in life could compare to a spectacle as thrilling as a lone 86 metre sailing yacht anchored at the face of a gargantuan glacier in the Chilean fjords. However, for Veldsman, his crew and the owners of Aquijo , this is just one of a long list of awe-inspiring encounters they had during their circumnavigation of the globe. Setting off in the Med, they headed to Cape Verde, then down to Patagonia and across to Oceania in a voyage that spanned more than three years.

At 86 metres, Aquijo is the largest ketch in the world – a thoroughbred, and the fruit of not one, but two Dutch powerhouses: Vitters and later Oceanco , which joined forces to complete this unique sailing yacht.

In 2010, Bill Tripp of Tripp Design Naval Architecture penned the lines for a yacht capable of both global cruising and racing. This proposition drew the two shipyards together. Vitters brought high-performance sailing yacht pedigree, and Oceanco brought its prowess in the 80-metre superyacht sphere.

Aquijo ’s design is influenced by the need for flexibility. The sailplan is subdivided with each sail producing similar forces, while keeping the number of sails and system parts to a minimum. The result is hasty sail setting, easy tacking and a vessel that is unequivocally fast.

“She responds very quickly,” says Veldsman. “For such a big boat she sails incredibly well. You can turn the rigs like you would on a raceboat – I think a lot of people find it surprising how fast she sails for such a big boat.”

This design also means she is more than capable of handling conditions when things get rough, which, as Veldsman points out, they certainly did on several occasions. The first leg of the tour – cruising to Cape Verde and over to Punta del Este, Uruguay, before heading to Patagonia – was already remarkable, but it was when the yacht reached Ushuaia, in Argentina, that the owners came on board for an extremely windy bucket list moment.

“We picked up the owners for a four-week trip that would see us round Cape Horn,” recalls Veldsman as he brings up charts of this once-in-a-lifetime expedition. “Of course, it was windy, and we anchored in a spot called the False Horn – a protected area often mistaken for Cape Horn – and I remember saying to myself, ‘If the wind is blowing more than 45 knots in the morning, I’m going to call it.’”

Veldsman awoke to find the wind blowing far over 50 knots in the protected anchorage – a moment that could have seen a sheepish retreat to base. “We poked our heads out from False Horn, and we had wind speeds of 60 knots.” Determined, Veldsman proceeded anyway,  and sailed Aquijo around the perilous cape in violent conditions.

“Travelling upwind on the starboard side, that was the worst part, and we had ski goggles on, rain and sleet coming at us, and the whole family outside – it was amazing,” he adds.

From here, Aquijo sailed to Patagonia, cruising through a place informally referred to as Glacier Alley and up to Puerto Montt in Chile – a leg that reinforced the need for meticulous planning in blissful isolation. “That southern part is very remote and it’s quite a distance. There’s nowhere to buy food, no civilization at all – it was incredible,” says Veldsman. “The boat was built for this purpose. So, it’s quite well set up to be able to cope with cold weather, and we carry enough food, fuel and water to deal with just about anything.”

In this part of the world, the weather can change in an instant, from no wind to 60-knot winds at a moment’s notice. Veldsman explains that the ice here also flows down at speed in the middle of the night and you can wake up to find the yacht entrenched in it.

For Veldsman, Patagonia was the highlight of the whole tour. Aquijo even took a couple of charters while in the region, before relocating to South America and cruising around Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and over to the Galápagos with a stop at the secluded Cocos Island.

Aquijo then sailed back down to the Southern Pacific and French Polynesia, but this wasn’t a case of passing through. During the tour, Aquijo hosted local guides, scientists, expert divers and often worked with EYOS to source the very best people for each adventure. “It was all very action-packed – there was an excursion every day, with a guide, too,” explains Veldsman.  “It’s important to get the right guides when you go to these places as you’re only going to do it once. It was incredible.”

Unfortunately, one of the activities in the tropics almost had sinister consequences. “We had fantastic diving along the way and across to Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu,” says Veldsman. “Although our boss got an infection over there that almost killed him. It’s quite common in the Tropics as small cuts and bruises can get infected very quickly.”

Veldsman recalls Papua New Guinea as another defining moment on the trip, on a par with Patagonia. Aquijo headed there after a short maintenance period in New Zealand. “Papua New Guinea is very remote, but the nature and the tribes are beautiful. We had a local guide with us who took us deep into the jungle and we even saw the Baining Fire Dance,” he recalls. This is a traditional night-time ceremony, celebrating many of the tribe’s life-changing events, such as initiating young men into adulthood. Tribesmen partake in passionate dance-based rituals.

“We will go back there and see the tribes of the Pacific river,” vows Veldsman. “These tribes won’t exist 20 years from now. You can see the crocodile men, who scar themselves to look like crocodiles, with bones through their noses, living in the jungle. It’s incredible – I look back and just think, wow!”

While the yacht was in Papua New Guinea’s New Ireland Province, another medical incident struck when one of the stewardesses fell victim to decompression sickness. “I needed to get her to the closest decompression chamber and our options were Port Moresby [Papua New Guinea’s capital], which is one of the world’s most dangerous cities, or Australia [almost  900 nautical miles away].” The stewardess ended up flying to Australia, where she made a full recovery.

Diving was an integral part of the tour and those on board were able to swim with whales and sharks, as well as taking in incredible coral reefs. “A lot of what happens in the Southern Pacific is in and under the water,” says Veldsman. “We used a well-known local diver, Rodolphe Holler from Tahiti Private Expeditions. When you’re in the water, the whales breach so close to you that you can touch them.”

As we talk, Aquijo is in Palma, almost 9,000 nautical miles from the whales that make their annual migration through the balmy waters of French Polynesia. However, plans are already afoot for her to embark on another global migration through the Northwest Passage, back to the Pacific and over to Japan. With adventure-seeking owners and Veldsman at the helm, there is no doubt that the largest ketch in the world will handle whatever is thrown at her.

First published in the September 2022 Life Under Sail supplement. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.

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