Fact Check: "Wind speeds exceeded 70 knots, violently capsizing the yacht in under 15 seconds."
What We Know
The tragic sinking of the superyacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily on August 19, 2022, resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter. An interim report from the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) revealed that wind speeds exceeded 70 knots (approximately 81 mph) at the time of the incident. The report states that these extreme winds "violently" knocked the vessel over to a 90-degree angle in under 15 seconds, leading to its rapid capsizing (BBC, Global News).
The MAIB's investigation indicated that the yacht was particularly vulnerable to high winds due to its configuration at the time—its sails were furled, and the centerboard was raised. This configuration significantly reduced the yacht's stability, making it susceptible to capsizing in extreme weather conditions (BBC).
Analysis
The claim that wind speeds exceeded 70 knots and caused the yacht to capsize in under 15 seconds is supported by multiple credible sources, including the MAIB's interim report. The report is based on modeling conducted by the University of Southampton, which assessed the yacht's stability under the conditions present at the time of the accident. The findings indicate that wind speeds above 73 mph could lead to capsizing, and the actual wind speeds at the time were reported to be over 80 mph (Global News, ABC News).
The MAIB has acknowledged that the crew was unaware of the yacht's vulnerabilities to such wind speeds, as this critical information was not included in the onboard stability information book. This lack of awareness contributed to the tragic outcome (BBC). The report's findings are based on verified evidence, although the ongoing criminal investigation by Italian authorities has limited access to the wreck and other pieces of evidence, which could affect the final conclusions (Global News).
Conclusion
The claim that wind speeds exceeded 70 knots and violently capsized the yacht in under 15 seconds is True. The evidence from the MAIB's interim report, corroborated by multiple reputable news sources, confirms that the extreme wind conditions were indeed responsible for the rapid capsizing of the Bayesian.
