A diver who was engaged on preliminary operations to increase the late tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s sunken superyacht, Bayesian, has died throughout underwater work in Sicily.
The 39-year-old Dutch diver died on Friday whereas working underwater in preparation to chop the ship’s mainmast.
Based on preliminary stories, the person was employed by the maritime firm Hebo, whose barge arrived final week in Porticello, a fishing port close to Palermo, the place marine salvage specialists have been finishing up preparatory work earlier than an operation to lift the 56-metre superyacht.
Police mentioned the exact explanation for demise was nonetheless unknown. A preliminary examination of the physique revealed no seen accidents or burns. Investigators consider the diver might have suffered a medical downside whereas submerged.
Another line of inquiry is that after divers used a blowtorch to chop the vessel’s growth the person was struck by dislodged particles – probably a chunk of steel. Footage captured by underwater cameras reduce off shortly earlier than the incident.
A spokesperson for the British-based consultancy TMC Marine, which is able to oversee a consortium of skilled salvage specialists endeavor the venture, mentioned: “We’re saddened to substantiate the tragic demise of a specialist diver whereas doing underwater work earlier at the moment [Friday]. The circumstances of the accident are being investigated by the authorities and all events are providing their full cooperation. We’re giving each assist to the salvage crew on web site at this heartbreaking time and our ideas are with the household of the deceased.”
On 19 August 2024, the posh vessel, with a 75-metre (246ft) mast, was anchored simply off shore close to Porticello when it was struck shortly earlier than daybreak by a violent storm. Lynch, as soon as described as Britain’s Invoice Gates, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, had been among the many seven victims.
Lynch, who in June final yr was cleared of fraud prices within the US regarding the acquisition of his firm, Autonomy, by Hewlett-Packard in 2011, was having fun with a lavish voyage round Sicily to have a good time his acquittal alongside Hannah and his spouse, Angela Bacares, whose firm owned the Bayesian.
Amongst these onboard had been Lynch’s legal professional from Clifford Likelihood, Chris Morvillo, and his spouse, the jewelry designer Neda Morvillo, and Morgan Stanley Worldwide’s chair, Jonathan Bloomer, and his spouse, Judy Bloomer, a former psychotherapist. All 4 died within the incident. The yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, was the seventh one who died.
Fifteen individuals survived, together with Bacares.
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The wreckage sits at a depth of fifty metres within the bay of Porticello, which is beneath surveillance by Italian authorities.
Insurers estimate the salvage will price about $30m (£23m), a invoice the Bayesian’s underwriters will choose up.
The Italian coastguard, which is supervising operations and patrolling the safety perimeter, mentioned the general operation to get well the Bayesian might take from 20 to 25 days, climate allowing.
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