Superyacht Refloating Operation Already Filling Hotels in Northern Sicily
The sinking of Mike Lynch's yacht, once famed for the tallest mast in the world, continues to fascinate as a manslaughter investigation begins in earnest.
It was household-level news last year, and it's poised to grab international attention again: the superyacht Bayesian, which suddenly and unexpectedly sank last year off the coast of Sicily with owner Mike Lynch, his daughter, and friends and crew members still inside, is scheduled to begin salvage operations this month — and it's attracting some unexpected onlookers. Crowds of onlookers, actually: as of this writing, hotels in the Palermo-Porticello area are booked until late May at a rate of about 82%, with Porticello's rates in particular hitting around 95%. For perspective, Sicily's normal busy months are July and August, not April or May — and not even Italy's most-booked city, Florence, typically reaches an occupancy rate over 80%.
Actual salvage operations aren't expected to begin for nearly two weeks, according to local news sources: a Dutch crane hired for the purpose of lifting the wreck left the port of Rotterdam only three days ago, and its journey is forecast to be slow. Still, those who booked in advance may have done themselves a favor: luxury properties around Porticello and in Palermo seem to have sold out first, with only a handful still advertising one or two rooms left.
Underwater operations are expected to begin this Monday, the 28th of April: because of the ship's weight, position on the seafloor, and fuel tanks, significant preparation will be required, including the removal of the ship's famously tall (and heavy) mast. After the bulk of the ship has been raised, it will be transported approximately 10 miles southeast to the port of Termini Imerese for the criminal investigation.
Some onlookers will be limited to what they can see from shore, but others are already opting for a closer look: the Coast Guard is reportedly permitting boats, small yachts, sailboats, and others, rented or personal, to view the operations from a safe distance, and local scuba guides have told Sicilian news outlets that they've been contacted by interested tourists. At present, however, the public is allowed no closer to the wreck than 200 meters, or about 650 feet — it is, technically, a potential crime scene.
Part of the intrigue is likely the legal drama combined with the exceptional nature of the case: superyachts are rarely involved in such catastrophic failures, and this particular superyacht was well-known for its unique design.
Its unusual qualities — The tall, heavy mast and retractable keel among them — prompted the New York Times and other outlets to question whether the ship's design had ever been safe; The Italian Sea Group, current owner of the shipyard responsible for the design, responded by threatening to sue for reputational damage. (It's worth noting that a number of publications interpreted their statement of intent as statement of having taken action, but I wasn't able to find any evidence that they did, in fact, sue — which is interesting.) The former head of Bayesian's builder Perini Navi called its design "unsinkable," blaming the crew for negligence and a chain of errors. The surviving crew themselves have stayed out of the public eye.
Given the ship's depth, not even the divers working on the salvage efforts may have anything to say about its state — but we'll find out in a week or two.
