In the next few weeks, the recovery of British tech-tycoon Mike Lynch’s superyacht will begin. This will shed some light on the mystery of how an allegedly unsinkable vessel ended up in the sea back in August.

The 56-metre (184-foot-long) Bayesian with its single 72-metre mast was moored just off the Porticello small port when it was hit by what was probably a downburst – a very powerful downward wind – in the early morning hours of August 19,

In just 16 minutes, the Bayesian capsized from the stern and sank, killing Lynch and his daughter Hannah. The ship, owned by the Lynches, has lain on its starboard at a depth 49 meters since then.

Nine crew members and six other passengers, including Angela Bacares (the wife of Lynch), survived.

Lynch's fame as “the Bill Gates” of Britain has brought international attention to the tragedy.

Experts in naval and marine sciences have also been puzzled by the shipwreck.

Experts say that the 534-tonne Bayesian built by Perini Navi in 2008, which is now owned by Italian Sea Group should have been able to withstand the storm. It should also not have sunk so quickly.

Before cutting, the MAST must be cut.

The investigation of the captain of the yacht and two other crewmembers for possible manslaughter will not be complete until the ship has been lifted and inspected.

On Wednesday, they summoned all the lawyers involved in the case and technical advisors to Porticello to supervise a salvage operation that is expected to last 20-30 days.

“I don’t think that (the lifting) will be decisive for investigations, but it is certainly important,” said Mario Bellavista. He was an attorney for the family Recaldo, Thomas, who was the cook onboard the ship and died in the wreckage.

He told journalists at Porticello in June that the raw data of on-board equipment, such as video surveillance cameras and navigational systems, that had already been removed from the wrecked vessel, would be shared with attorneys.

The salvage consortium, which is led by UK-based TMC Marine, and includes a joint venture of Dutch companies HEBO and Smit Salvage will cut the mast prior to raising the vessel.

The preparatory works have already begun offshore, from a floating platform of 700 square metres. A robot underwater is inspecting the Bayesian, which has tanks containing 18,000 litres diesel.

The vessel will be brought up to the surface using HEBO Lift 10 – one of Europe's largest floating cranes – and then transported to Termini Imerese a 40 kilometres east from Palermo.

Human Errors or Design Flaws?

Giovanni Costantino (CEO of Italian Sea Group) blamed the sinking of the vessel on “indescribable and unreasonable errors” made by the crew. He ruled out any flaws in the design or construction.

“The impossible happened in that boat… but it went to the bottom because it took in water.” In an August interview, he stated that the investigators would be able to tell where he got his information.

A document from the prosecutors shows that Matthew Griffiths is suspected of not noticing the worsening conditions. Timothy Parker Eaton was also under investigation and was said to have been late to spot the fact that the boat had taken in water at the back.

Both failed to warn Captain James Cutfield who is accused of failing to take all necessary measures in order deal with the emergency, and of failing adequately to warn passengers of the danger.

The three suspects are yet to publicly comment on the allegations.

A second yacht anchored nearby the Bayesian was unharmed.

Karsten Borner said that the Bayesian turned on its side within minutes and sank. (Reporting and writing by Giselda Vasgnoni, Rome; additional reporting by Waldimir Pantalone, Porticello; editing by Alvise Armillini)

(source: Reuters)