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malaise

(296,118 posts)
Wed Aug 21, 2024, 01:47 PM Aug 2024

Back to that sunken yacht

English banker Jonathan Bloomer and American lawyer Chris Morvillo reportedly confirmed as among bodies recovered by Italian rescuers

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/aug/21/slugs-sicily-bayesian-yacht-sinking-search-mike-lynch-six-people-missing-updates

Divers scouring the wreck of the luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily on Monday have reportedly found the bodies of all six missing persons, writes Jamie Grierson and Lorenzo Tondo.

The UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, his teenage daughter Hannah Lynch, the Morgan Stanley International chair, Jonathan Bloomer, his wife, Judy, and the Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda, have been missing since the vessel went down Monday morning.

The 56-metre yacht, named Bayesian and sailing under a British flag, was carrying 22 people and had anchored just off shore near the port of Porticello when it was hit by what was believed to be a tornado or waterspout.

The body of the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, was located shortly after the vessel sank.

———+



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Back to that sunken yacht (Original Post) malaise Aug 2024 OP
Now help me with this really strange coincidence malaise Aug 2024 #1
Yo ho ho, and a bottle of rum BoRaGard Aug 2024 #5
I have one thing in common with the police ScratchCat Aug 2024 #7
I don't think hitmen can arrange waterspouts... EX500rider Aug 2024 #9
It doesn't say if this was a hit and run or if the driver stopped. nt Hotler Aug 2024 #12
Judgment Day bucolic_frolic Aug 2024 #27
It's interesting that the Italian government has opened an investigation for possible manslaughter. Lonestarblue Aug 2024 #35
I feel bad for the crew and his daughter obamanut2012 Aug 2024 #2
Indeed malaise Aug 2024 #3
Just them, why not everybody? EX500rider Aug 2024 #10
Putin is getting bored with the same old same old *fell from a window* routine. BamaRefugee Aug 2024 #4
More here malaise Aug 2024 #6
Not sure where you've got "no other ships saw it or reported it" from muriel_volestrangler Aug 2024 #8
What about this from the Guardian? malaise Aug 2024 #19
I don't think they will have much of a case EX500rider Aug 2024 #20
Italians now think a powerful downburst may be the reason...and the boat does have a Black Box they think EX500rider Aug 2024 #11
Interesting malaise Aug 2024 #15
cool Kali Aug 2024 #18
Keep in mind, a lot of really rich guys often skimp on staffing to make more profit in their businesses Attilatheblond Aug 2024 #36
Seems like a small crew for that sized sailing vessel but I was on a school ship, we were no doubt overstaffed EX500rider Aug 2024 #37
There were survivors, not everyone died in this mishap FakeNoose Aug 2024 #40
Goodness, my husband is so smart. ❤️. He said "watertight integrity" and now Nixie Aug 2024 #13
Although generally at anchor... EX500rider Aug 2024 #14
Not sure the anchor would mean the yacht wasn't compromised Nixie Aug 2024 #16
Oh yeah, I have seen the Amerigo Vespucci at Tall Ship meets, she is pretty...my fav might be the Danish one: EX500rider Aug 2024 #21
That is gorgeous! I love reading about the history, too Nixie Aug 2024 #22
Surprised Clarence Thomas wasn't aboard. Emile Aug 2024 #17
More disappointed malaise Aug 2024 #32
Yep Emile Aug 2024 #38
Saloon doors may've opened -- design flaw. Kid Berwyn Aug 2024 #23
From what i just read on BBC the keel was in the up position EX500rider Aug 2024 #24
Thank you for the heads-up! Found some video... Kid Berwyn Aug 2024 #25
Thanks for this malaise Aug 2024 #28
Someone commented on a youtube video that its possible it was anchored both fore and aft, thus preventing swinging Blues Heron Aug 2024 #29
yeah if she couldn't swing the keel definitely should have been down, plus they should have slacked or raised the stern EX500rider Aug 2024 #31
this reminds me of the El Faro disaster, although not anchored, it lost engines, steerage and ended up being pushed over Blues Heron Aug 2024 #34
I love DU malaise Aug 2024 #33
Due to this oligarch misfortune the bayesian probabilities of a super yacht being destroyed by a tornado Voltaire2 Aug 2024 #26
LOL malaise Aug 2024 #30
Orca Pod says CatWoman Aug 2024 #39
😀 malaise Aug 2024 #42
Former Skipper of the boat comments: EX500rider Aug 2024 #41
I learn stuff here daily malaise Aug 2024 #43

malaise

(296,118 posts)
1. Now help me with this really strange coincidence
Wed Aug 21, 2024, 01:50 PM
Aug 2024

Who was Stephen Chamberlain, colleague of Mike Lynch who died after road collision?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/20/stephen-chamberlain-colleague-mike-lynch-died-collision-road-fraud

Hours after it was reported that the UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch was one of the people missing in Monday’s superyacht sinking off the coast of Sicily, news of a tragic coincidence emerged.

Stephen Chamberlain, 52, Lynch’s former co-defendant in a US fraud trial, in which they were both acquitted, had died in hospital after being hit by a car while jogging in Cambridgeshire.

Like his former boss, Chamberlain had risen to the most senior ranks in the British tech world before his success was overshadowed by the long legal battle related to their time running one of the UK’s most prominent startups.

The collision occurred on Saturday morning on the A1123 Newmarket Road, north of Cambridge. Chamberlain’s lawyer said he had been “fatally struck” by a car while running. He was taken to hospital and put on life support, and his death was announced late on Monday.



Lonestarblue

(13,480 posts)
35. It's interesting that the Italian government has opened an investigation for possible manslaughter.
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 02:26 PM
Aug 2024

BamaRefugee

(3,884 posts)
4. Putin is getting bored with the same old same old *fell from a window* routine.
Wed Aug 21, 2024, 02:12 PM
Aug 2024

The thing about the "believed to be a waterspout"...seriously?
They weren't in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, they were just off the coast of Sicily, an area that would likely have many other vessels in proximity, and you can see a waterspout from a couple of miles away, ESPECIALLY one big enough to sink a 56 meter yacht...but no other ships saw it or reported it or ANYTHING?

There's no maritime weather radio channel in the Mediterranean?






muriel_volestrangler

(106,212 posts)
8. Not sure where you've got "no other ships saw it or reported it" from
Wed Aug 21, 2024, 03:34 PM
Aug 2024

Loads of people talk about it.

Witnesses say they saw a ‘waterspout’ tearing through the seas at the time of the sinking, which happened around 5am on Monday.

https://metro.co.uk/2024/08/20/a-waterspout-cause-sicily-yacht-tragedy-21456936/

The yacht, the Bayesian, with 12 crew members and 10 passengers, was caught in what some witnesses described as a waterspout, essentially a small tornado on water, during a sudden and violent downpour in the pre-dawn hours of Monday.

https://archive.ph/muJ7k

Karsten Borner, skipper of a yacht anchored nearby, described a "very strong hurricane gust" that hit. He was battling to keep his vessel steady when suddenly "we noticed that the ship behind us was gone".

"First came the wind, then the water -- it was definitely a tornado," said local fisherman Giovanni Lococco, describing the waterspout.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/waterspout-may-sunk-uk-tech-204327551.html

Fabio Cefalù, a 36-year-old fisher from Porticello who was one of the first to attempt to provide assistance to the Bayesian, said he arrived at the port at 3.30am for a fishing trip and saw the first flashes of lightning.

“At 3.55, a mini tornado arrived,” Cefalù said. “The docks of the port diverted it and it hit the sailboat head-on.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/21/within-a-few-minutes-there-was-nothing-left-sailors-on-sinking-of-bayesian-superyacht

malaise

(296,118 posts)
19. What about this from the Guardian?
Sat Aug 24, 2024, 07:34 PM
Aug 2024

The Bayesian, carrying 22 passengers, sank off the coast of Sicily early on Monday morning after being struck by a powerful type of wind called a downburst.

Seven people died, including the British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah. Fifteen people survived, including Lynch’s wife, whose company owned the Bayesian, and the yacht’s captain..

Ambrogio Cartosio, the head of the prosecutor’s office in Termini Imerese, said in a press conference at the town’s court on Saturday that his office has opened an initial investigation into manslaughter and negligent shipwreck.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/24/sicily-yacht-sinking-manslaughter-investigation-opened


EX500rider

(12,583 posts)
20. I don't think they will have much of a case
Sat Aug 24, 2024, 08:30 PM
Aug 2024

Unless you have a hurricane bearing down on you, it's not common to button up a 180ft boat at anchor for a incoming rain squall, they just got VERY unlucky. That being said it will not help the Captains resume.

EX500rider

(12,583 posts)
11. Italians now think a powerful downburst may be the reason...and the boat does have a Black Box they think
Sat Aug 24, 2024, 10:56 AM
Aug 2024
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjdk0nd9n4zo

I do question the crew size, 10? Was one of those the Chef so 9?
Even with 10, ones the Skipper, that give you 3 guys per watch (4 on, 8 off) which for a 180ft sailing vessel seems not enough to me, I realize she had roller reefing (the sails roll up at the touch of a button) but still not a lot of guys on duty.
For example I spent 3 years on Tall Ships and on the 173ft 3 masted staysail schooner we had 12-15 on watch when under way and 4-5 when anchored or tied up.

I was on this one:

Kali

(56,829 posts)
18. cool
Sat Aug 24, 2024, 01:50 PM
Aug 2024

you should write up some stories and post them in the Lounge. being a landlocked desert rat, I am still fascinated with the sea. don't know ANYTHING about ships/boats, have only been on a few short "rides" but loved them.

Attilatheblond

(8,880 posts)
36. Keep in mind, a lot of really rich guys often skimp on staffing to make more profit in their businesses
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 02:39 PM
Aug 2024

maybe same thinking follows them out to sea?

EX500rider

(12,583 posts)
37. Seems like a small crew for that sized sailing vessel but I was on a school ship, we were no doubt overstaffed
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 02:44 PM
Aug 2024

I assume the insurance company & Capt would have signed off on the crew size so maybe it is close to standard and not sure more guys would have helped if the Capt didn't order the keel down, the stern anchor raised and the boat buttoned up.
But 3 guys per watch on a 180ft sailing vessel seems too little to me.

FakeNoose

(41,637 posts)
40. There were survivors, not everyone died in this mishap
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 09:30 PM
Aug 2024

The original news story was unclear how many victims went down in the boat, but several were rescued from the water. I guess they were able to jump in time. Since the squall came up suddenly at 3 o'clock in the morning, it's likely that many passengers were below decks and became trapped when the boat sank.

Nixie

(17,984 posts)
13. Goodness, my husband is so smart. ❤️. He said "watertight integrity" and now
Sat Aug 24, 2024, 12:12 PM
Aug 2024

there is a CNN article saying the crew is being investigated for procedures relating to weather developments. They are saying the hatches might not have been closed, creating more storm stress. My Navy veteran figured this out right away.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/italian-authorities-open-manslaughter-investigation-into-superyacht-sinking/ar-AA1plYwj?ocid=BingNewsSerp

"Authorities cannot confirm at this stage whether some of the ship’s hatches were left open, Cammarano said, which could help explain why it sank so quickly."

Still under investigation, but the crew is possibly suspected of not following weather procedures.

EX500rider

(12,583 posts)
14. Although generally at anchor...
Sat Aug 24, 2024, 01:14 PM
Aug 2024

Last edited Sat Aug 24, 2024, 08:26 PM - Edit history (1)

.... closing hatches and port holes isn't as necessary as when out at sea when a storm comes.

It's extremely unusual for 180 ft boat to have any kind of issue from weather while at anchor other than dragging the anchor.

During my 3 years on tall ships I don't recall ever having to button the boat up while at anchor.

Nixie

(17,984 posts)
16. Not sure the anchor would mean the yacht wasn't compromised
Sat Aug 24, 2024, 01:40 PM
Aug 2024

by the surface tornado...? But that's what the investigation is for, and that is the focus of the investigation per the article. It specifically states the hatches, so that tends to imply that procedures weren't followed which led to the catastrophic results.

But we'll see because we aren't there investigating, so it's just hunches from the media reporting,

We're going to Italy soon and are interested in the ferry tours or other water tours. But we found out that they are subject to sudden cancellations due to weather, so that makes it a little harder to plan a schedule. That's partly our interest in the weather aspect of this yacht demise.

How cool about your work on tall ships! They are spectacular. We went to see the Amerigo Vespucci in San Pedro CA during its world tour just a couple months ago. I'll get a link to this beauty. It was worth the 2-hour line to see it!

Link: Named the most beautiful ship in the world!
https://sailtraininginternational.org/vessel/amerigo-vespucci/

EX500rider

(12,583 posts)
21. Oh yeah, I have seen the Amerigo Vespucci at Tall Ship meets, she is pretty...my fav might be the Danish one:
Sat Aug 24, 2024, 08:38 PM
Aug 2024

The Danmark: (but mostly cause I have been aboard her, all Tall Ship are beautiful IMO)

Kid Berwyn

(24,399 posts)
23. Saloon doors may've opened -- design flaw.
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 12:53 PM
Aug 2024

First thing to learn is if the yacht’s retractable keel was in the down position. If not, the vessel would could much more easily be knocked over or capsized by sudden high winds. Second thing are the status of two “doors” built into the hull, one aft to access the tender boat bay, the other an observation platform on one of the sides. Both, normally, are closed up at night.

A naval architect reported Perini Navi sister vessel has enormous sliding glass doors designed to keep the ocean out, even in flooding from a capsize. Unless locked or bolted, however, the doors will slide open when the yacht heels over. The guy said the wind knocked the boat over and water just poured in and below decks. For all on board, trying to evacuate a suddenly capsized and sinking yacht in the dark, must have been a terrifying and living nightmare.

EX500rider

(12,583 posts)
24. From what i just read on BBC the keel was in the up position
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 01:13 PM
Aug 2024

Last edited Sun Aug 25, 2024, 01:44 PM - Edit history (1)

A strike against the Captains case IMO as she appeared to be anchored in deep water.

Although normally when anchored in a blow the bow always points into the wind so the keel down wouldn't help much, the boat would be pitching, not rolling, however if they got a sudden downburst the wind could have come from any quarter. (and most likely did)

I suspect the crew would be more familiar with layout then the guests (owner excepted) and found their way topside while she was still on her side flooding. She may have self righted with the keel down before the flooding got too much also. I am guessing the Capt will have trouble finding his next yacht.

Kid Berwyn

(24,399 posts)
25. Thank you for the heads-up! Found some video...
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 01:47 PM
Aug 2024

...the yachting expert discusses the problem of the lifting keel and the watertight doors. The captain must've made an assumption of being at anchor in nice weather when he shoud've erred with caution.

The boat's builder is working to focus blame to the captain, crew and weather. Right now, it looks like a combination of improbable factors came together at one terrible moment.

At the 5:30 mark of the video, the expert goes over the nautical engineer who reported the "design flaw or feature" where Perini Navi saloon doors reported to slide open. The captain has a lot to answer for -- and he will be going over it for every second of the rest of his life.

&t=632s

Blues Heron

(8,838 posts)
29. Someone commented on a youtube video that its possible it was anchored both fore and aft, thus preventing swinging
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 01:55 PM
Aug 2024

not sure what to make of that, havent seen anything about that since, but if thats the case it might have contributed to the knockdown/sinking

EX500rider

(12,583 posts)
31. yeah if she couldn't swing the keel definitely should have been down, plus they should have slacked or raised the stern
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 01:58 PM
Aug 2024

anchor so she could swing into the wind...although a downdraft can come from any angle so it may not have helped but should have been done for prudence sake.

Blues Heron

(8,838 posts)
34. this reminds me of the El Faro disaster, although not anchored, it lost engines, steerage and ended up being pushed over
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 02:14 PM
Aug 2024

sideways until the vents were submerged, and the open watertight hatches between compartments had been left open and the ship went down. Seriously sad.

Voltaire2

(15,377 posts)
26. Due to this oligarch misfortune the bayesian probabilities of a super yacht being destroyed by a tornado
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 01:51 PM
Aug 2024

are being recalculated. Please wait for updated results before setting your super yacht to sea.

EX500rider

(12,583 posts)
41. Former Skipper of the boat comments:
Tue Aug 27, 2024, 07:42 PM
Aug 2024
https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2024/08/27/former-bayesian-captain-offers-insight/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE7P4dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUkFItYTM5OtAgyXMQiN6TKzGn6Pcoib1XDgwwcSd5wd_6Xf89KjZ_4aoA_aem_dSt_TLsWlgrpWO19Tz0ljw

The Angle of Vanishing Stability is the angle of heel at which the vessel righting moment reaches zero, meaning that the vessel will not return to upright. Again, I forget the actual numbers for this, but the figures would be around 90 degrees with the moveable keel lowered and 75 degrees with it raised.

The Downflooding Angle is much more important though in the scenario we are talking about. This is the angle of heel at which water will start to enter the vessel (usually through engine room or accommodation ventilation ducts)… once this starts the vessels is in serious trouble as stability is quickly reduced or lost due to the flooding.

The downflooding angle for Bayesian was around 40-45 degrees… much less than the AVS. So, unless the vent dampers are closed (which with HVAC systems and generator running they would NOT be as they need to be open for that), the vessel will start to flood rapidly if heeled more than the downflooding angle.

Hull Openings
Bayesian had only one shell door in the hull, on the port side aft. As this was very close to the waterline, it was rarely used (remembering the extra 30T of ballast mentioned earlier… this caused the water line to be 100mm higher than other 56m Perinis, hence much closer to the bottom of the shell opening meaning it could only be opened in flat calm conditions… 100% it was NOT open at night)

There are no opening windows or portholes, which are all made from laminated marine glass bonded to the hull & superstructure.

Other deck hatch / superstructure openings that breach the watertight integrity on Bayesian are on or close to the centerline of the vessel. For these to be taking water if open, the vessel would have to be heeled way beyond the Downflooding Angle mentioned earlier, and hence already flooding via ducting/vents.

Only one opening was located far from the centerline, and could be vulnerable to downflooding at lower angles of heel… this is the deck access to the lazarette area towards the stern. However, as it is located on the port (left) side of the aft deck, it would be unlikely to be an initial factor in this scenario as we know that Bayesian was knocked down to starboard, and as such this hatch, even if opened as crew were on deck etc, would have been one of the later parts to submerge.


I find the 40- 45 degrees before downflooding a little shocking for a sailboat, in storm crossing the Atlantic we had some troubles when I was crewing a Tallship, with most of our sails up, (she had more then 10,000 sq ft of sail) the bobstay chain broke (holds the bowsprit on the front of the boat down & has 2 of the 3 forestays that hold the mast up), the bowsprit broke, we had to take all sail down before the last forestay broke & we lost the rig and put someone in the water to secure the chain and torn jib sail and flying jib sail, while stopped we were blown sideways to the waves and I was on radio watch in the chart room watching the inclinometer (measures roll angle) and we were severely rolling and I clocked a 55 degree roll at one point, we took zero water down below, and that's on a boat built in the 1930's.

malaise

(296,118 posts)
43. I learn stuff here daily
Tue Aug 27, 2024, 07:51 PM
Aug 2024

I am wrong to infer that apparently size mattered more than safety and that billionaires should employ folks like you as Consultants before buying toys that can kill them.

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