Fact Check: "Wind speeds exceeded 70 knots, toppling the yacht in under 15 seconds."
What We Know
The claim that "wind speeds exceeded 70 knots, toppling the yacht in under 15 seconds" is supported by multiple credible sources. An interim report from the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) indicates that the yacht, named Bayesian, was subjected to wind speeds exceeding 70 knots (approximately 81 mph) at the time of the incident on August 19, 2022. The report states that these extreme winds caused the yacht to heel over to a 90-degree angle in less than 15 seconds, leading to a catastrophic flooding situation that resulted in the sinking of the vessel and the tragic loss of seven lives, including that of tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter (BBC, AP News, CBS News).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from multiple reputable news outlets and official reports. The MAIB's findings are based on modeling conducted by the University of Southampton, which confirmed that wind speeds above 73 mph could lead to the yacht's capsize under the specific conditions present at the time (Reuters). The report also highlights that the yacht was in a vulnerable position, with its sails down and centerboard up, which exacerbated its instability during the sudden gusts of wind.
The MAIB's interim report is considered credible as it is part of an official investigation into the incident. However, it is important to note that the report is based on a limited amount of verified evidence due to ongoing criminal investigations by Italian authorities, which may restrict access to the wreck and other related information (BBC). Nonetheless, the consistency of the data across various sources reinforces the reliability of the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "wind speeds exceeded 70 knots, toppling the yacht in under 15 seconds" is substantiated by credible evidence from multiple sources, including the MAIB's interim report. The report details the conditions leading to the yacht's capsize and confirms the extreme wind speeds that contributed to the disaster. Given the corroboration from various reputable outlets and the official nature of the investigation, the claim is accurate.
Sources
- Bayesian crew unaware wind speeds of over 73mph could topple yacht ... BBC
- Extreme wind blamed for sinking of superyacht off Sicily last year ... AP News
- Mike Lynch's yacht toppled by extreme wind, interim report ... Reuters
- Superyacht that sank with British tech magnate Mike Lynch on board ... CBS News
- British superyacht that sank off Sicily, killing 7, to be raised this ... ABC News
- Sunken superyacht lifted from waters off Sicily as crews complete ... PBS
