Fact Check: "British investigators reported extreme winds knocked the yacht over in 15 seconds."
What We Know
On August 19, 2024, the superyacht Bayesian capsized off the coast of Sicily, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven individuals, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter. An interim report from the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) indicates that the yacht was subjected to extreme wind conditions, with gusts exceeding 80 mph (approximately 70 knots) at the time of the incident. The report states that the yacht was knocked over to a 90-degree angle within 15 seconds of the extreme winds hitting it, causing it to flood rapidly (BBC, AP News, ABC News).
The MAIB's investigation revealed that the yacht was in a vulnerable state, with its sails down and centerboard raised, making it susceptible to capsizing under high wind conditions. The report highlighted that the crew was unaware of the specific vulnerabilities related to wind speeds exceeding 73 mph, which could lead to capsizing (BBC, AP News).
Analysis
The claim that "British investigators reported extreme winds knocked the yacht over in 15 seconds" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The MAIB, which is responsible for investigating maritime accidents in the UK, conducted a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Their findings are based on modeling commissioned from the University of Southampton, which indicated that wind speeds of over 73 mph could lead to the yacht's capsizing, and that the extreme conditions at the time of the incident were indeed sufficient to cause the rapid heeling of the vessel (BBC, AP News, ABC News).
The interim report's assertion that the yacht was knocked over to a 90-degree angle within 15 seconds is corroborated by eyewitness accounts and the timeline of events leading up to the disaster. The rapid increase in wind speed—from 9 mph to 80.6 mph in less than an hour—demonstrates the severity of the weather conditions faced by the crew (BBC, AP News).
While the investigation is ongoing and further details will be revealed in the final report, the current evidence from the MAIB is credible and aligns with the statements made by investigators regarding the extreme wind conditions and the yacht's subsequent capsizing.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "British investigators reported extreme winds knocked the yacht over in 15 seconds" is accurate based on the interim findings from the MAIB. The evidence presented indicates that the yacht was indeed capsized by extreme winds, and the timeline provided by investigators supports the assertion that the vessel heeled over within a very short time frame.
Sources
- Bayesian crew unaware wind speeds of over 73mph could ...
- Extreme wind blamed for sinking of superyacht off Sicily ...
- Sunken Bayesian superyacht raised from seabed near Sicily
- Mike Lynch's yacht toppled by extreme wind, interim report finds
- Superyacht that sank with British tech magnate Mike Lynch on board ...
