Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Salvage Operation for Sunken Superyacht 'Bayesian' Underway Off Sicily

Marine experts deploy advanced cranes and submersibles in a £20 million recovery effort as judicial investigations into the 2024 sinking continue.

The multi-purpose floating work barge Hebo Lift 2 monitors the stretch of sea off Porticello, near Palermo, Sicily, Italy, Sunday, May 4, 2025, where the British superyacht Bayesian sunk on August 19, 2024 as the operations for its recovery start. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
The multi-purpose floating work barge Hebo Lift 2 monitors the stretch of sea off Porticello, near Palermo, Sicily, Italy, Sunday, May 4, 2025, where the British superyacht Bayesian sunk on August 19, 2024 as the operations for its recovery start. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Italian Coast Guard's Luigi Dattilo patrol boat, left, assists the multi-purpose floating work barge Hebo Lift 2 monitoring the stretch of sea off Porticello, near Palermo, Sicily, Italy, Sunday, May 4, 2025, where the British superyacht Bayesian sunk on August 19, 2024 as the operations for its recovery start. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Italian Coast Guard's Luigi Dattilo CP940 patrol vessel, right, assists the multi-purpose floating work barge Hebo Lift 2 monitoring the stretch of sea off Porticello, near Palermo, Sicily, Italy, Sunday, May 4, 2025, where the British superyacht Bayesian sunk on August 19, 2024 as the operations for its recovery start. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

Overview

  • The British-flagged superyacht 'Bayesian,' which sank in August 2024 near Porticello, Sicily, is being recovered from 49 meters below the surface in a complex operation expected to last 20–25 days.
  • Two floating cranes, Hebo Lift 2 and Hebo Lift 10, equipped with remotely operated underwater vehicles, are leading the recovery under the supervision of the Italian Coast Guard.
  • The yacht's 246-foot aluminum mast, the second tallest in the world, will be cut to facilitate lifting the 473-ton vessel to the surface.
  • Investigators will examine the wreck once it is brought ashore in Termini Imerese as part of ongoing probes into crew negligence during the sudden downburst storm that caused the sinking.
  • The tragedy claimed seven lives, including UK tech magnate Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, and has raised questions about safety protocols and vessel design standards.