The builder of the ill-fated superyacht Bayesian has initiated a $500 million lawsuit against a company owned by Angela Bacares, the widow of tech mogul Mike Lynch, who tragically died when the yacht sank. The shipbuilder claims that negligence on the part of the crew led to the vessel’s demise, resulting in reputational damage and the loss of significant business opportunities.
The Bayesian capsized and sank during a sudden storm at Porticello, Sicily, on August 19, 2024, claiming the lives of seven individuals, including Lynch and his daughter. Bacares, who survived, is the legal owner of the yacht through her holding company, Revtom, which is the defendant in this lawsuit. Following the incident, the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) began an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the sinking.
The investigation revealed that the Bayesian, known for its record-setting aluminum mast, was vulnerable to capsizing in wind speeds exceeding 63.4 knots. Simulations indicated that the extreme weather conditions on the day of the sinking could have produced gusts over 87 knots. The MAIB’s findings, while not assigning fault, highlighted that the crew and owner were unaware of the vessel’s vulnerabilities.
In its lawsuit, the Italian Sea Group (TISG), which acquired Perini Navi, the yacht’s builder, seeks $535 million from Bacares’ company, asserting that the incident has severely impacted demand for Perini Navi yachts and harmed its financial standing. The suit also names skipper James Cutfield and two crew members, who are facing a criminal investigation related to the sinking. In response, a source close to the Lynch family criticized the lawsuit as opportunistic, suggesting it aims to divert attention from the MAIB’s findings.
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