Fact Check: The yacht's 236-foot mast was cut off and left on the seabed for future removal.

Fact Check: "The yacht's 236-foot mast was cut off and left on the seabed for future removal."

What We Know

The claim that the mast of the superyacht Bayesian was cut off and left on the seabed is supported by multiple sources. The Bayesian, a British-flagged luxury superyacht, sank off the coast of Sicily during a violent storm on August 19, 2024, resulting in the deaths of UK tech magnate Mike Lynch and six others. The vessel was recovered from the seabed approximately ten months later, and during the recovery operation, it was reported that the yacht is missing its 72-meter (236-foot) mast, which was indeed cut off and left on the seabed for future removal (CNN, PBS, The Columbian, ABC News).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim comes from credible news sources that reported on the recovery of the Bayesian. For instance, CNN and PBS both confirmed that the mast was cut off to facilitate the lifting of the hull to an upright position, which was necessary for the recovery operation (CNN, PBS). This detail is critical as it explains the necessity of detaching the mast during the salvage process.

Additionally, the reports indicate that the decision to leave the mast on the seabed was made as part of the recovery strategy, which aligns with standard practices in maritime salvage operations when dealing with large vessels (The Columbian, ABC News). The interim report from British investigators also corroborates the circumstances surrounding the sinking, noting that extreme wind conditions contributed to the yacht's loss of stability (PBS).

The reliability of the sources is strong, as they include established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The information is consistent across multiple outlets, which further strengthens the validity of the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the yacht's 236-foot mast was cut off and left on the seabed for future removal is true. This assertion is substantiated by multiple credible sources that detail the recovery process of the superyacht Bayesian, confirming that the mast was detached to facilitate the lifting of the vessel and was left on the seabed as part of the salvage operation.

Fact Check: The yacht's 236-foot mast was cut off and left on the seabed for future removal.