British tech mogul Mike Lynch dies in superyacht disaster off Sicily
Tech mogul's yacht sinks in storm, one woman still missing
The body of British tech mogul Mike Lynch, aged 59, was discovered off the coast of Sicily on Thursday, following the wreck of a superyacht deemed “unsinkable” by its builders. One woman remains missing and unidentified, although Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, is reported to be unaccounted for. The family was celebrating Lynch’s recent acquittal on fraud charges with his legal team from the US. All those on board were Lynch’s guests. His wife, Angela Bacares, survived the incident.
The Bayesian, a 56-metre British-flagged sailing yacht, was anchored about 700 metres off Porticello near Palermo on the northern coast of Sicily. It was struck by a waterspout, similar to a mini-tornado, and sank within minutes on Monday. Fifteen of the 22 people on board, including a mother holding her one-year-old baby above the waves to save her, were rescued by the sailboat Sir Robert Baden Powell.
Investigators from the Termini Imerese public prosecutor’s office have started a criminal investigation, although no formal suspects have been named publicly.
❗️⛵️🇮🇹 – The Italian press is calling it a “mysterious coincidence”: Stephen Chamberlain, who was on trial alongside British businessman Mike Lynch in a fraud case in the United States, died after being hit by a vehicle in England on Saturday, August 17. Chamberlain, 52, was… pic.twitter.com/ibL8KJWj5J
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) August 21, 2024
According to reports, the yacht was anchored in a historically favoured stretch of water, known for its protection from the mistral wind, and more recently, by tech billionaires. Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which owns the manufacturer of the Bayesian, stated that such superyachts are designed to be “the safest in the most absolute sense.” Costantino explained that the yacht’s design, featuring a drift keel, should make them unsinkable.
Investigators are examining why the Bayesian, built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, sank while the Sir Robert Baden Powell sustained minimal damage. The sailboat’s captain, Karsten Borner, noted that his vessel only suffered minor damage to a sun awning frame, even in hurricane-strength winds.
Borner maintained his ship’s position with engines running during the storm. He suggested that leaving anchor and running downwind might not have been feasible for the Bayesian due to its 75-metre mast. If a stability issue caused by the tall mast existed, it might not have been safer in open sea. Yachts like the Bayesian are required to have watertight compartments to prevent rapid sinking.
Lynch is the only confirmed fatality; other bodies have yet to be identified. Costantino blamed a series of errors, noting that bad weather was forecasted, and passengers should have been gathered at the assembly point with all doors and hatches closed. Security footage showed the ship’s mast lights going out, indicating a short circuit and water intake. Costantino said it is standard practice to have a guard on the bridge to monitor incoming storms.
Lynch’s death occurred shortly after his co-defendant and former Autonomy executive Stephen Chamberlain was hit by a car in England. Both were acquitted of fraud charges in the US in June after a decade-long legal battle with Hewlett-Packard (HP). Lynch, once regarded as Britain’s “Bill Gates,” saw his reputation tarnished by the allegations. He criticised the UK government for his extradition to the US.
Lynch and his wife shared a fortune of £500 million, largely from his software firm Autonomy, which he founded in 1996. Autonomy’s software, inspired by Bayesian learning frameworks, lent its name to the ill-fated yacht.
Lynch sold Autonomy to HP for $11 billion in 2011, a deal that later led to HP’s $8.8 billion write-down due to alleged inflated data from Autonomy. Lynch was accused of inflating the company’s value but was cleared after a year under house arrest in the US. He consistently denied the charges, calling himself a “scapegoat” for HP’s failures.
Lynch received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2006 and joined the BBC board the same year. After selling Autonomy, he founded venture capital firm Invoke Capital, an early investor in cybersecurity firm Darktrace. Despite his US acquittal, Lynch’s legal troubles continued with a 2022 civil fraud ruling in London’s high court that HP had overpaid for Autonomy. The court has yet to decide on the damages claimed by HP.
David Yelland, a reputation management advisor and friend of Lynch, described his death as “devastating” in an online post, noting Lynch’s history of overcoming extraordinary odds.
What Other Media Are Saying
- CBS News reports on the recovery of five bodies from the Bayesian superyacht, including Mike Lynch’s daughter Hannah, as the search for the final missing individual continues.(read more)
- PBS NewsHour presents an overview of the recovery of the body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch, who was among those killed in the tragic sinking of a superyacht off Sicily’s coast. The incident highlights the unexpected dangers of even the most advanced vessels, despite their allegedly unsinkable designs.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was Mike Lynch?
Mike Lynch was a British tech magnate and founder of Autonomy.
What caused the Bayesian yacht to sink?
The Bayesian yacht sank after being struck by a waterspout.
Was anyone rescued from the yacht?
Yes, 15 of the 22 people aboard were rescued.
What was the yacht celebrating?
The yacht was celebrating Lynch’s recent acquittal on fraud charges.
Is there an investigation into the yacht sinking?
Yes, the Termini Imerese public prosecutor’s office is investigating.
