Fact Check: "Wind speeds exceeded 70 knots, violently knocking the Bayesian over in 15 seconds."
What We Know
On August 19, 2022, the luxury superyacht Bayesian capsized off the coast of Sicily, resulting in the tragic deaths of tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others. An interim report by the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) indicated that wind speeds exceeded 70 knots (approximately 81 mph) at the time of the incident. The report states that these extreme gusts caused the yacht to tilt to a 90-degree angle within just 15 seconds, leading to flooding and subsequent sinking (BBC, Standard).
The MAIB's modeling suggested that wind speeds over 73 mph could likely result in capsizing when the yacht had its sails down and centerboard up, which was the case during the incident (BBC). The report also noted that there was no indication of flooding until water began to enter the yacht, which occurred rapidly after the initial tilt (BBC).
Analysis
The claim that wind speeds exceeded 70 knots and caused the Bayesian to capsize in 15 seconds is supported by multiple credible sources. The MAIB, which is a recognized authority in maritime safety, conducted an investigation and provided detailed findings regarding the conditions leading to the yacht's sinking. Their modeling indicated that the yacht was particularly vulnerable to capsizing under the conditions present at the time, specifically with wind speeds exceeding 73 mph (BBC).
Additionally, reports from other news outlets corroborate the MAIB's findings, stating that the vessel was violently knocked over to a 90-degree angle within the stated timeframe (Standard, Courant).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they are based on official investigations and reports from reputable news organizations. However, it is important to note that the MAIB's report was based on a limited amount of verified evidence due to ongoing criminal investigations by Italian authorities, which may affect the completeness of the findings (BBC).
Conclusion
The claim that "wind speeds exceeded 70 knots, violently knocking the Bayesian over in 15 seconds" is True. The evidence from the MAIB's interim report and corroborating news articles clearly supports this assertion, detailing the extreme wind conditions that led to the rapid capsizing of the yacht.
