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At the helm with the world’s first dual Sirena 68 owner

• Yacht industry

US-based Sirena Yachts owner Willie Urbieta will soon have the accolade of being the first ever owner of two 21.4-metre Sirena 68 vessels. After previously purchasing a Sirena 58 for use in the US, the semi-retired oil executive ordered a Sirena 68 for cruising around the Mediterranean, before deciding to upgrade his Sirena 58 to a second Sirena 68 which is due for delivery in the upcoming months.

This makes Urbieta unique amongst Sirena Yachts owners, as he will soon be able to reap the benefits of his two voluminous explorers in two highly different environments. Here, Urbieta explains his rationale for choosing the Sirena 68 model, why he always docks his vessels himself, and the benefits he enjoys from his highly unusual ownership position.

A Perfect Family Boat

Urbieta’s first Sirena yacht, the Sirena 58, offered the Fort Lauderdale-based owner and his family the perfect opportunity to take delivery in Istanbul and explore the fantastic scenery of the Turkish coast and the Greek islands before taking the yacht home to dock in the US. However, in order to immerse himself fully into the boating lifestyle in south Florida and make space for his growing family, 65-year-old Urbieta felt it was time for an upgrade, as he explains:

“I spent my summers on a boat in the mid 1960s in south Florida, which was just fantastic. I wanted to go back to being part of this very particular boating culture and lifestyle as I absolutely love it, and the Sirena 68 is the perfect boat for this, due to its generous volume, ample indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces and fantastic flybridge. Another factor was size of course: I have my daughter, my son-in-law and three grandkids to consider, so I knew I was going to have to go a little bigger to accommodate everyone.”

Designed by Experts

First introduced to the market in 2021, the Sirena 68 features naval architecture and exterior design by world-renowned Argentinian designer, Germán Frers, with interiors by the experienced Dutch superyacht designer, Cor D. Rover, who together provide the ideal combination of design flair and build expertise.

With ample space to house Urbieta’s growing family, the Sirena 68 offers accommodation for up to eight guests, including a master suite amidships, as well as boasting the largest flybridge deck in her class. A crew of two is also housed on board the Sirena 68, which comprises a captain and a stewardess on Urbieta’s current yacht. Despite having a captain, this owner, who has been passionate about boating since his 20s, also emphasises his preference for operating the boat himself at key moments.

“I have to say, I really do enjoy docking my own boat,” says Urbieta. “Of course, there is always a risk of making a mistake, so I make use of a yacht controller, but once I’m outside the dock and out of the marina, I let the captain take charge so that I can fully relax with my family and friends.”

Top Performance, Top Comfort

The Sirena 68 sports a resin-infused hull combined with a lightweight high-tech carbon fibre superstructure and hard top produced by Sirena Yachts’ in-house engineering department, which offer numerous benefits for its performance. These include improving onboard stability, reducing fuel consumption and providing the yacht with a longer range and higher speed.

Urbieta explains that onboard comfort is a priority for any boat in his fleet: “When I buy a yacht from Sirena Yachts, I get as many extras as possible to make the boat as comfortable as it can be. I choose to have gyros, fins, DPS (dynamic position satellites), a yacht controller and an extra station on the outside to help me dock the boat. Spending time on the boat is what makes me happy and my real passion, so I am keen to make it the best possible experience.”

Performance is Key

Urbieta also has some substantial travel plans in the pipeline for his new Sirena 68, including exploring Saint Martin, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands and more. Thankfully, the Sirena 68 is well suited for such adventures. Built to CE Category A certification (the highest certification for recreation craft under 24 metres), the semi displacement yacht is capable of reaching top speeds of 26 knots with the 1,000 horsepower Volvo D13s option, and cruises comfortably at 20-21 knots.

An Owner’s Favourite Spots

When asked to name his favourite areas of his current Sirena 68, Urbieta first highlights his onboard office area. “It is wonderful being able to work on board – my office is right where the windshield of the boat is, next to the helm. I have my computer and my printer there and it is perfect. Every time I go into a different port, I can enjoy a different view from where I am working.”

Secondly, Urbieta also highlights the benefits of the Sirena 68’s famously spacious flybridge for hosting groups of family and friends. “When I was visiting Spain, I had a lot of relatives who I didn’t know very well, so I got them together and hosted all 30 of them together on the flybridge and we just had the most amazing time together. I love the social element of the boating lifestyle which has been enabled by owning these Sirena Yachts. People are drawn to lovely boats, and this brings so many likeminded people together who derive pleasure from being out on the water.”

A Future Upsize?

As for the future, although Urbieta is very content with his current fleet, he wouldn’t say ‘never’ to another Sirena upgrade. “I am very happy with my two Sirena 68s, but you never know, in a few years I might sell them and go for a bigger yacht because I am so passionate about boating. Sirena Yachts work extremely hard to make the customer happy.”

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Sirena 48 Debuts in Cannes

• By Yachting Staff
• September 29, 2023

Hull No. 1 of the Sirena 48 made its official debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September, adding a new entry-level model to the Turkish builder’s lineup of yachts. The Sirena 48 joins the Sirena 58 , the Sirena 68 , the Sirena 78 and the Sirena 88 , and incorporates many of the same features that make the larger yachts popular. Presenting those features in a smaller package is intended to appeal to younger yacht-buyers, including families with children that may want to move up to larger versions as the family grows.

Article At-A-Glance

• New entry-level model for Sirena Yachts
• Designed by Germán Frers to appeal to younger buyers
• Crewed and owner-operator versions available
• More than 20 hulls sold before the official debut

Key Elements of the Sirena 48

Sirena Yachts says that, even before the Sirena 48 was presented to the public at the Cannes Yachting Festival, more than 20 hulls were already sold. Quite a few of those owners said they intend to be owner-operators out on the water without crew, taking advantage of the wide views and clear sightlines from the Sirena 48’s flybridge.

Performance

The Sirena 48 has a semi-displacement hull form that is efficient in displacement mode, but also allows for fast planing performance. According to the builder, the yacht can hit a top hop of 27 knots, and it has a cruising speed of 15 to 16 knots. The economical cruising speed is 10 knots, which reportedly allows for a range of 520 nautical miles.

Layout Options

Owners can choose among several layouts on the Sirena 48. Options include an open layout and a more traditional aft deck. In the latter, there’s extra stowage where a crew cabin would otherwise be, accessible via a full-height door that opens from the transom. Accommodations for overnight guests are in three staterooms, while the crew cabin is optional.

Owner and Guest Amenities

The Sirena 48 has three decks: a sundeck, a main deck and a bottom deck. Throughout the three levels, the designers incorporated areas for relaxation, dining and entertaining. Sirena Yachts says the yacht is equally well-suited for a group of friends out enjoying a day cruise, or for families and friends who want to head out on longer itineraries, including spending overnights on the hook.

Up on the sundeck, the Sirena 48 has a large sun pad forward with expansive views both forward and all around the yacht. There’s also guest seating aft in a C-shaped lounge that wraps around two smaller tables that are ideal for a light breakfast, a casual lunch or hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour. A helm station is to port, just forward of a console where drinks and snacks can be stowed for easy access.

On the Sirena 48’s main deck, there’s another big sun pad forward at the foredeck, as well as more guest seating all the way aft with a table for food and drinks. Inside, there’s a helm station to starboard that’s fully protected for use in any weather conditions. There’s also inside seating and dining, with the galley aft to make service easy for the guests sitting inside as well as outside on the aft deck.

Accommodations

All the guest staterooms are on the lower deck. There are three staterooms with two heads. The VIP stateroom and the guest stateroom share a head, while the master has its own private head. The head that’s used for the VIP and guest staterooms can also serve as the boat’s day-head.

Master Stateroom

The master stateroom is just abaft amidships, in the part of the yacht that tends to have the least motion (a real benefit for anyone who suffers from seasickness). The berth is on centerline with walkaround space, so nobody will have to crawl over the other person’s legs to access either side. A settee is to starboard for owners who want a space to curl up in total privacy with a good book.

VIP and Guest Stateroom

The VIP stateroom is far forward on the lower deck. Its berth also has walkaround space, a feature that can be surprisingly hard to find on some boats’ secondary staterooms in the Sirena 48’s size range. The guest stateroom, with twin berths, is between the master and the VIP on the starboard side of the yacht. It’s ideal for children or occasional guests, with a smaller overall area than the master or the VIP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Sirena Yachts have a display at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

Yes. Plans are still being finalized for which yachts will be shown, but the company will be there for sure.

Does Sirena Yachts have dealers in the United States?

Yes. The company’s US headquarters is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with dealerships in Hawaii, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, Illinois and Connecticut.

What is the largest Sirena Yacht model?

The Sirena 88. It has a range of 2,000 nautical miles, a main-deck master stateroom and belowdecks staterooms for eight additional guests.

What other yachts has designer Germán Frers created?

The firm has been responsible for more than a thousand designs that have been produced, most recently including the Hallberg Rassy 40, the Swan 55 and the Hylas 60.

Does Sirena Yachts have an online store for branded gear?

Yes, as part of the company’s website. Fans of the brand can order polo shirts, sweatshirts, rain jackets, kids’ clothing and more.

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Sirena Yachts’ superyacht range: new details unveils

Sirena Yachts has revealed details about how sophisticated space management and radical design thinking will characterise its new range of 35-50m superyachts. The boats were unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show 2022, where the Turkish shipyard promised to maximise the on-board experience for owners and guests. Now it has shone a spotlight on features like the unique private owner’s patio, mullion-less windows and the vast, flexible beach club area.

These yachts are bursting with fresh ideas and unashamedly tailored for the next generation of yacht owners. But Sirena Yachts has also built on the run-away success of its smaller Sirena models, whose bold lines and smart use of space are widely recognised. Connoisseurs will spot the towering bows and long, elegant line of the bulwarks; dark glazing contrasting with the flawless white hull.

“The new range had to be sporty and elegant with some reference to the Sirena Yachts production designs. It had to be a timeless design,” said CCO Ali Onger . “Like our smaller yachts, the superyacht range is pitched at owners who love to spend time on the water with friends and their family.”

Fresh, informal styling is echoed by the use of space, which favours open entertaining areas, large external relaxing zones and the unique owner’s suite at the front of the superstructure. “The pearl of these yachts, particularly the 42m and 50m, is the forward patio,” said Luca Vallebona , the designer responsible for developing these yachts with the Sirena Yachts team. “This small, almost architectural feature hidden inside the hull on the main deck is a private, open-air space dedicated to the owners. It is very special.”

Dappled in sunlight, ringed with soothing plants, this private oasis receives natural light from above and from the side. Freestanding seating makes this a fine spot for a morning coffee, or for receiving guests in perfect privacy – even as you’re moored in the heart of the harbour. On the two larger boats, there is a Jacuzzi here, as well as steps up to the main deck, where the owner again benefits from a dedicated forward lounge area, with deep, comfy sofas, away from prying eyes.

Naturally enough there’s a larger pool aft for guest use. It stands slightly above the deep bathing platform, the focus of a space that grows dramatically when the two bulwarks are folded down, creating twin balconies just above the sea. The effect is dramatic on the 50m; but on the 35m it is nothing short of transformative. The yard likens this area to a private beach resort, and the figures speak for themselves. Altogether, the aft deck on 35m amounts to 85 square metres; on the 50m yacht, it is a vast 140 square metres.

But the flagship also has another jewel in its crown. “The main and upper deck cockpits are visually connected by a double-height space close to the saloon entrances,” explained Vallebona . “This space could be hung with plants or a giant sculpture, creating a common thread – a sinuous passage from the main deck to the upper deck cockpit. Verticality is a dimension that is not so often seen on a yacht, especially in a 50m.”

Clients are able to customise their yachts to an incredible degree, while still benefiting from the faster build times and lower costs of a ready-developed technical platform. It would be easy to find room for a gym – outside on the sundeck, for instance, or close to the pool. But the scale of these yachts means that there is plenty of room inside as well.

Recognising that younger owners are more enthusiastic about water sports, Sirena has designed in very generous storage space for a large tender and toys. On the flagship, there is garaging for two tenders, two jetskis and a range of boards, but even the 35m can fit a large crew/guest tender and the all-important jetskis on the foredeck.

“We have been overwhelmed by the wave of positive response to our new superyacht designs,” said Onger . “With this latest step, we have cemented our product line-up in every segment of the boating market. We have been prudent, so it has taken Sirena Yachts 17 years to build up to this point, but we are proud to say that our reputation speaks loudly for itself.”

The new Sirena superyacht line will feature exteriors by Luca Vallebona and naval architecture by Van Oossanen Naval Architects, with the interior designs of each vessel fully customisable to meet the requirements and desires of each individual owner within the selection of Sirena Superyachts renowned interior designers or with a freedom to bring any studio to create their bespoke dream superyacht.

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12 Must-See Yacht Debuts at This Year’s Cannes Fest

Cannes is the start of the official boat show season. if these dozen newbies are anything to go by, the new model year is off to a great start., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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For yacht shoppers, the Cannes Yachting Festival, which runs from September 10 to 15, is the place to see a raft of world debuts. The show in the tony French Riviera city marks the start of the international boat show season. Its offerings of 700 vessels from 16 to 165 feet includes many global debuts, from sailing vessels to motoryachts, to multihulls and a dozen other boat types. The show has about 4 miles of dock space.

While Cannes doesn’t have the superyacht glitz of the Monaco Yacht Show, its fleet continues to grow each year, both by units and hull lengths. Its two locations, Vieux Port and Port Canto, have very different fleets. Located in the heart of the city along the famed Croisette, Vieux Port is one of the oldest ports on the Côte d’Azur and home to the largest motoryachts and superyachts at the show. This year will also see Port Canto, the smaller exhibition area usually reserved for sailing yachts, dedicate space to motorboats with lengths of 43 feet and under.

Headliners this year will include the 148-foot Tankoa Go , the 114-foot compact explorer Fox from Pendennis, Otam’s 90-foot Sexy Me , and two new models from Azimut’s Seadeck Series of low emission yachts, the Seadeck 6 and 7.

Here are 12 must-see boats at this year’s show.

Pendennis ‘Fox’

The recently delivered, 114-foot Fox is an explorer yacht named after Falmouth-born, 19th-century scientist Robert Were Fox the Younger, who invented the compass that guided the first expedition to the South Pole. Built by Pendennis shipyard in Falmouth, U.K., the yacht marries a muscular, military-style exterior with bright and modern beach-house interiors. It sleeps 10 guests in five suites, including a full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck.

RR-MV-Requests-081924-6

Columbus Atlantique 43 ‘Frette’

The second hull in Columbus Yachts’s 141-foot Atlantique 43 series, Frette features Frette Bespoke linens—the Italian luxury brand the yacht is named after. The exterior and interior are designed by Hot Lab, with naval architecture by Hydro Tec. The yacht is defined by its large outdoor areas. A highlight is the 16-square-foot pool at the stern positioned about two feet above the waterline. Guest accommodations on Frette ‘s lower deck include five double cabins, three twins, and two VIPs that can convert into one large VIP suite.

OTAM ‘Sexy Me’

Otam’s new flagship yacht, the Otam 90 GTS Sexy Me , will make its world debut at Cannes following successful sea trials where the 92-footer hit blistering speeds of 45 knots—three knots faster than its contracted top speed. The power comes from a pair of 2,600 hp MTU engines and Arneson surface-drive propellers. Fittingly, the yacht’s helm console is inspired by racing cars with a carbon-fiber structure that resembles the protective “halo” system used by Formula 1 cars. The air intakes on the front of the yacht and “snorkel” on the hardtop purposely resemble the hood and roof scoops on luxury supercars.

60 Sunreef Power Eco

The 60 Sunreef Power Eco is the smallest model in its solar catamaran range. Launched under the Sunreef Yachts Eco flag, the 60-footer relies on engineered solar panels developed in-house by the Polish builder. The photovoltaic technology uses efficient, shock-resistant, flexible, and ultra-thin solar panels integrated in the yacht’s composite structure, including the hull, mast, superstructure, bow terrace, and bimini roof. Key features include a customizable semi-open salon, a large bow terrace and flybridge with a spa pool, a bar, a dining area, and sunpads. It may be 60 feet long, but its interior volume equals a yacht 20 feet longer.

Azimut Seadeck 6

The 58-foot Seadeck 6 is the debut model from Azimut’s Seadeck Series of low emission yachts. According to Azimut, owners can save as reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by as much as 40 percent. The savings come from a lightened carbon-fiber superstructure, a hybrid propulsion system and an optimized hull that is wider at the stern and streamlined at the bow. According Azimut, the hull shape allows the yacht to plane sooner, reducing drag at lower speeds. Azimut’s 72-foot sistership Seadeck 7 will also be at Cannes, where it will make its world debut.

Custom Line ‘Sodan’

Ferretti’s 126-foot Sodan , the eighth hull in the popular Custom Line 120 series, will be shown at Cannes this year by Burgess Yachts. Its raised pilothouse is a key feature of Francesco Paszkowski Design’s sporty exterior. The studio is also responsible for the interior, which has a functional layout and large social areas. Five well-appointed guest cabins include a full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck with a private owner’s lounge.

Tankoa Yachts ‘Go’

Tankoa is launching Go at Cannes, the first of its T450 series. The 148-footer may be the largest new yacht at the show, but it’s the first vessel under 164 feet built by the Italian yard. Go , with its steel hull and aluminum superstructure, was developed in partnership with Cassetta Yacht Design & Architecture. It’s built for an American client who increased the gross tonnage from 430GT to 450GT to allow for greater interior volume, including a large owner’s suite forward on the main deck and five lower deck guest cabins. The beach club at the stern has opening sides when at anchor and a pool. “ Go is a great addition to the Tankoa core fleet. It is an incredibly flexible platform on which we can create semi-custom yachts, offering big volumes without compromising on the sleek and elegant lines,” said Claudio Corvino, Tankoa’s sales and business development danager for the Americas and Asia-Pacific.

WiderCat ‘Acali’

Wider Centro Stile and Luca Dini Design penned the first hull in the WiderCat 92 serie s . Acali is a roomy catamaran, featuring the builder’s serial hybrid-propulsion system. The main deck is dedicated to the owner’s suite, with a private foredeck lounge that occupies almost half of the interior space on that level. Two VIP cabins and two twin guest cabins are located on the lower deck. The tender garage has a dropdown transom hatch that turns into a swim platform when lowered. On the upper deck is an additional forward cockpit, sky lounge, and helm station.

Omikron OT-60

The OT-60 is the debut model for Omikron Yachts, a new subsidiary brand owned by Greek shipbuilder Olympic Marine. The Cannes Yachting Festival marks the world premiere of the series, which has six hulls that have been completed or are in build. The interior and exterior configurations are designed by Lorenzo Argento, with naval architecture by Juan Kouyoumdjian. The interiors are styled by Ciarmoli Queda Studio, featuring natural materials, neutral colors, and tactile finishes.

Silent 62 Tri-Deck

Optimized for outdoor living and warm climate sailing, Silent Yacht’s 62 3-Deck , full-electric catamaran promises quiet, emissions-free cruising. Powered by the builder’s signature solar technology, the 62-footer has transoceanic range when cruising at eight knots. A signature design is the large flybridge entertaining space, with dining and lounging areas. It’s matched with a bright main deck salon with large windows, an open galley, and a dining area. The customizable third deck is available in three versions: an open sky lounge, a closed sky lounge, or an owner’s suite.

Sirena 48 Hybrid

This Sirena 48 is the Turkish builder’s first hybrid offering of its series. It’s powered by a serial hybrid powertrain driven by twin 213kW electric motors. When cruising at 14 knots in electric mode, it has a range of 30 nautical miles. Other changes to the regular Sirena 48 include a sleek coupe-style coach roof with glass and solar panels for a sportier look. Replacing the previous open-air flybridge, it allows natural light into the main salon while reducing weight to improve the yacht’s performance and range in pure-electric mode.

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Superyacht maker's CEO: Bayesian's crew made an 'incredible mistake'

The body of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch was recovered Thursday from his family's superyacht that sank off the coast of Italy after it encountered a sudden and powerful storm, authorities said.

After four bodies were recovered from the wreck Wednesday, Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, remains the only person unaccounted for, Massimo Mariani, of Italy's interior ministry, told Reuters. Her body may have been swept out to sea, Mariani said.

It could take divers more time to find her body because of the difficulties of accessing the sunken ship more than 160 feet down, said Luca Cari, a fire brigade spokesperson. Rescuers faced a challenging task in scouring extremely deep and narrow spaces around the boat.

Giovanni Costantino, the CEO of Italian ship manufacturer Perini, which made the ship in 2008, told Reuters on Thursday, "The boat suffered a series of indescribable, unreasonable errors."

He said the crew made an "incredible mistake" in not preparing for the storm, even though it was announced in a shipping forecast earlier. "This is the mistake that cries out for vengeance," he said.

Lynch, 59, was best known as the co-founder of Britain’s largest enterprise software, Autonomy, which was sold to Hewlett-Packard in 2011. He had invited his friends on the yacht to celebrate his acquittal in June of fraud charges related to the sale of Autonomy.

The Bayesian, a 184-feet-long British-registered sailboat, went down just before sunrise Monday off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, where it was anchored when a strong storm swept across the area. Of the 22 passengers and crew members on board, 15, including Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, were pulled from the water Monday, and several were hospitalized. Divers then recovered the body of Ricardo Thomas, the yacht's chef, near the ship.

Who were among the missing?

An exhaustive search ensued for six missing people: Lynch and his daughter; Judy and Jonathan Bloomer, a non-executive chair of Morgan Stanley International; and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda Morvillo.

Jonathan Bloomer was a character witness at Lynch’s fraud trial, and Chris Morvillo, an American citizen, was part of the team that represented Lynch.

Hannah, the younger of Lynch's two daughters, was preparing to study English literature at Oxford University, according to the Sunday Times.

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Investigation opened into the tragedy

Local prosecutors have opened an investigation into the disaster and will hold a press conference on Saturday.

Costantino said there were no errors in the ship's construction or design. "It went down because it took on water. From where, the investigators will tell," he said.

The ship, owned by Lynch's wife, Bacares, was constructed in accordance with international maritime standards and commercially certified by the U.K.'s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, according to Matthew Schanck, chairman of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council. It was refitted for the second time in 2020.

Experts have pointed to  a waterspout, a tornado over the water that can travel up to 120 mph, that formed during the storm, as well as the weight of the ship's mast, one of the largest in the world, as possible factors in its sinking.

Contributing: Jeanine Santucci , USA TODAY ; Reuters

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Who Was on the Sunken Yacht? Tech Mogul Mike Lynch, His Family and Friends.

Mr. Lynch, the former chief executive of the software firm Autonomy, who was acquitted on fraud charges in June, was with friends and family when the yacht went down in a severe storm.

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By Michael J. de la Merced

Michael de la Merced reported on Mike Lynch’s career and legal battles over the course of 13 years across two continents.

A cruise on the Mediterranean Sea aboard a superyacht was supposed to be a celebratory event for the British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch , who was acquitted in June of fraud charges tied to the sale of his company, Autonomy, to the tech giant Hewlett-Packard.

Instead, it turned into a disaster after the yacht, a 180-foot boat called the Bayesian, sank off the coast of Sicily in a violent storm. Of the 22 people aboard, 15 were rescued and seven others died . Search operations ended on Friday after the final body was recovered from the site of the sunken yacht .

Here’s what we know about the passengers.

Mike Lynch and his family

Mr. Lynch, 59, is a British software entrepreneur who had once been described as his country’s Bill Gates. He founded the software firm Autonomy, which analyzed clients’ unorganized data, and turned it into one of the most prominent British technology companies of its time. He became a widely known corporate leader, who advised David Cameron, the British prime minister at the time, and joined the board of the BBC.

In 2011, Mr. Lynch sold Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion, which was far above its market value, earning him hundreds of millions. But HP investors almost immediately soured on the transaction, and the American tech giant quickly fired its chief executive — and then Mr. Lynch.

HP later accused Mr. Lynch of misleading it about the state of Autonomy’s business, setting off a decade-long legal ordeal for the British executive, who denied the accusations. U.S. prosecutors charged him and other executives with fraud, and Autonomy’s chief financial officer was convicted in 2018.

Despite appeals to the British government, Mr. Lynch was extradited to the United States last year and was confined to a townhouse in San Francisco ahead of his criminal trial, which began in March. Facing the possibility of decades in prison if convicted, Mr. Lynch and another colleague were instead acquitted of all charges.

An official in Palermo, Sicily’s capital, said on Thursday that Mr. Lynch’s body had been recovered. His wife, Angela Bacares, 57, accompanied him on the yacht, and she was rescued on Monday when it sank. She was a consistent presence at his trial in the United States. Records show that she controlled Revtom, the company listed as the owner of the Bayesian.

The body of Hannah Lynch , Mr. Lynch and Ms. Bacares’s 18-year-old daughter, was thought to be recovered on Friday.

The other guests

Jonathan Bloomer, 70, chair of Morgan Stanley’s international arm and the chairman of Hiscox, an insurance provider that trades on the London Stock Exchange, was on the yacht when it sank, along with his wife, Judy Bloomer, 71. Their bodies are thought to be among those recovered, but Italian authorities have not identified them.

Christopher J. Morvillo, 59, a New York-based partner at the international law firm Clifford Chance, was also on the yacht. A former federal prosecutor who comes from a family of prominent lawyers, Mr. Morvillo represented Mr. Lynch during his criminal trial in San Francisco. His wife, Neda, 57, was with him on the yacht. Their bodies are also assumed to be among those recovered.

“We are in shock and deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” a representative of Clifford Chance said in a statement.

Surviving passengers rescued from the yacht include Charlotte Golunski, a partner at Mr. Lynch’s venture firm, Invoke Capital; Ms. Golunski’s husband, James Emslie; and their one-year-old daughter Sophie. Also rescued were Ayla Ronald, a lawyer at Clifford Chance, and her partner, Matthew Fletcher.

The yacht had a crew of 10, and nine were rescued. The body of the chef, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered from the water, the Sicilian Civil Protection Department said.

Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting, and Kitty Bennett and Susan Campbell Beachy contributed research.

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced

Who was onboard tech mogul Mike Lynch's Bayesian yacht?

Topic: Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents

Six people are missing, including a man dubbed the British Bill Gates, after a luxury yacht sank off the Sicilian coast.

British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch — freshly acquitted from a decade-long trial — had invited his work colleagues aboard a trip through the Mediterranean coast when a freak storm saw the yacht sink within moments.

Fifteen people escaped from the sinking vessel. The search for the missing continues.

Here's what we know so far: 

What happened?

The Italian coastguard said the yacht — the Bayesian — was anchored off the shore of port city Porticello, near the Sicilian capital Palermo, when it was hit by bad weather sometime after 4am on Monday, local time. 

Eyewitnesses said it vanished quickly beneath the waves shortly before dawn.

Managers of the sailing vessel Bayesian, Camper & Nicholsons, confirmed to the ABC that the Bayesian encountered severe weather and subsequently sank. 

"Our priority is assisting with the ongoing search and providing all necessary support to the rescued passengers and crew," they said. 

"The wind was very strong. Bad weather was expected, but not of this magnitude," a coastguard official told Reuters.

Sicily's civil protection agency head, Salvo Cocina, said a waterspout — a tornado over the water — could have struck the yacht.

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time," Mr Cocina added. 

Storms and heavy rainfall had swept down Italy in recent days after weeks of scorching heat, lifting the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea to record levels and raising the risk of extreme weather conditions, experts told Reuters.

"The sea surface temperature around Sicily was around 30 degrees Celsius, which is almost 3 degrees more than normal. This creates an enormous source of energy that contributes to these storms," meteorologist Luca Mercalli said.

Rescuers recover the body of one of the people aboard the Bayesian.  ( AP: Lucio Ganci )

Captain Karsten Borner of the Sir Robert Baden Powell vessel told journalists he noticed the Bayesian nearby during the storm, but after it calmed he saw a red flare and realised the ship had simply disappeared.

Mr Borner said he and a crew member boarded their tender and found a lifeboat with 15 people, some of them injured, who they then took aboard and alerted the coast guard.

Search crews, including helicopters and divers, are continuing to search the wreckage, lying at a depth of 49 metres.

Specialist divers reached the ship on Monday but access was limited due to objects in the way, the fire brigade said.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is deploying a team of four inspectors to Italy to conduct a preliminary assessment.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development office said it was "providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families".

Sicilian prosecutors have also opened an investigation into the event. 

Who is missing?

Lawyer Chris Morvillo (left), entrepreneur Mike Lynch, and Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer are among the missing. 

There were 12 passengers and 10 crew members aboard the yacht. 

Mr Cocina said the crew and passengers hailed from a variety of countries, including Britain, the United States, Antigua, France, Germany, Ireland, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain.

Of the 22, one man is confirmed dead and another six people are still missing. 

They are believed to be inside the hull, fire rescue spokesperson Luca Cari said.

Fabio Cefalù, a fisherman who said he responded to a flare from the vessel but found it sunk, said he stayed at the site for three hours without finding anyone.

"I think they are inside, all the missing people," he said.

Rescue teams recovered the body of the yacht's onboard chef on Monday, identified as Antiguan citizen Ricardo Thomas.

The still missing people include: 

• Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah 
• Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of global financial services company Morgan Stanley International
• Chris Morvillo , a lawyer at the British multinational law firm Clifford Chance. He worked on Mr Lynch's lawsuit against Hewlett-Packard
• The identities of the remaining two missing are still unconfirmed

Who was rescued? 

Fifteen people escaped from the sinking ship. 

Eight have been hospitalised and others were taken to a nearby hotel.

Charlotte Golunski was among those rescued, recalling the harrowing moments she held her child Sofia above the waves.  ( Supplied: Facebook  )

Among those rescued were:

• Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, who was the owner of the yacht
• Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter, Sofia. Ms Golunski is a partner at Mr Lynch's firm, Invoke Capital. She says she momentarily lost hold of Sofia in the water but managed to hold her up above the waves until the lifeboat was inflated
• Ms Golunski's husband James Emslie
• New Zealand captain of the yacht James Catfield. He told Italian newspaper La Repubblica the crew didn't see the storm coming
• A lone Dutch citizen was identified by the Dutch foreign ministry as being rescued, but was not identified

Who is Mike Lynch?

Mr Lynch, once hailed as Britain’s king of technology, was recently freed from a Silicon Valley lawsuit that tarnished his legacy. 

The 59-year-old Cambridge-educated mathematician created Autonomy , a search engine that could pore through emails and other internal business documents to help companies find vital information more quickly. 

He received the OBE for his innovation in 2006. 

He then sold the software to Hewlett-Packard (HP) for $US11 billion ($16 billion) in 2011, with Mr Lynch personally netting $US800 million. 

HP valued Autonomy at $US46 billion ($68 billion) in the months leading up to the deal.

Mike Lynch in 2019 leaving the High Court in London.  ( Reuters: Henry Nicholls/File Photo )

But the deal quickly turned sour after he was accused of forging the software's financial records to make the sale.

As part of a decades-long legal battle against HP, Mr Lynch was extradited to the UK on criminal fraud charges. 

He steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he was being made a scapegoat for HP's own bungling. 

He was eventually cleared of all charges in June this year. 

Although he avoided a possible prison sentence, Lynch still faced a bill from a civil case in London that HP mostly won during 2022. Damages haven't been determined in that case, but HP is seeking $US4 billion. 

Following the San Francisco trial, Mr Lynch said he would return to the UK and do what he loved most: "[being with] my family and innovating in my field."

The holiday appeared to be something of a celebration after Mr Lynch's acquittal, with guests including some of the people who had stood by Lynch throughout the ordeal.

This picture shows the rescue operations off the Sicilian coast.  ( AP: Italian Coast Guard  )

In a separate act of tragedy, Mr Lynch's co-defendant in the trial, Stephen Chamberlain, died on Monday, after a road accident left him critically injured.

Mr Chamberlain — Autonomy's former vice-president of finance alongside Mr Lynch — was hit by a car in Cambridgeshire on Saturday morning and had been placed on life support. 

What is the Bayesian?

The luxury yacht is 56m long sailboat, with a 75m mast labelled as the tallest aluminium mast in the world.

It was previously named Salute when it flew under a Dutch flag.

The yacht, built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, can accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites and a crew of 10, according to online specialist yacht sites. It was last refitted in 2020.

Online charter sites listed it for rent for up to 195,000 euros (about $AU 321,000) a week. 

This picture taken on Sunday shows the Bayesian (left) and the Duch sailboat Sir Robert Baden Powell anchored off the coast line.   ( AP: Fabio La Bianca/Baia Santa Nicolicchia )

The ship also won a string of awards for its design. 

Ms Golunski said the yacht had travelled through the Aeolian Islands, Milazzo and Cefalù before sinking. 

It is likely the yacht's name would resonate with Mr Lynch because his PhD thesis and the software that made his fortune was based on Bayesian theory.

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BoatEast New Member

Looking at buying a 2019 Sirena 58. Pretty new boat so not much history. Anyone have experience with this company or boat. Most interested in engineering quality. Thanks.

jsschieff Senior Member

Not sure about engineering quality, but you may want to Google a "Power and Motoryacht" review of the Sirena 58. I thought the boat's fine, plumb bow of the 58 might result in a wet boat -- and yes, according the the review, "regular packets of spray doused the foredeck" when motoring in a "light swell," and sent occasional spray over the flybridge. The article said the windshield wipers were "kept busy." Not much fun to cruise in a boat that requires foul weather gear when you run it from the fly bridge. The article also mentioned the Sirena "wandered" downwind -- something I've noticed in downeast hulls with fine bows and deep forefoots. There were also nits about helm station ergonomics and cramped shower stalls in the boat. Nice looking boat, and when run at more moderate speed than the 20 knots of the test, it may not be as wet.

olderboater Senior Member

Interesting boat. Either the perfect compromise or it's too slow or too fast. Not a trawler but not speed equal to others in the range. First, with it being a new brand, be sure you get a survey. I assume the boat you're looking at is new. If it isn't, then more questions to ask. New Turkish brand. I don't know anything about who is behind the company or their reputation in other businesses. They've been building Magellano's, not a surprise as they have similar styles. Who is selling it and who is going to perform warranty service?

Thanks olderboater. I understand it is a boat builder that was building for Azimut as you said then started building their own recently. Owned by a wealthy Turkish family, need to check out what that means. Good point to learn about their other businesses. Will do that. It is only 8 months old, but was owned by a person that I am told is having a 64 foot built ... has already traded this to the exclusive US broker in South Fla. The hybrid hull seemed interesting. I was thinking, when combined with gyro, would provide a smoother ride but still provide some speed. Not sure that will happen. Speed is not as critical for me but 10 knots is is too slow. There is warranty left for another year, provided by the dealer in Fla, but am wondering about needing to get parts from Turkey in the next couple of years. Trying to figure out if I am nuts to buy a boat that is so new to the market with no track record.

Thanks for the google link . Going to do a sea trial in hopefully not calm water and see how wet it gets. Had not though of that. I am likely to go less than 20 knots anyway unless it is really smooth. Is this kind of hull highly unusual? The shower stalls are a little tight, but seem fine. Not awful, but true. More maritime than luxury feel I guess. The foot space in the inside helm is tight. Has a fully opening walk through door exiting the salon on the starboard side directly opposite the inside helm on the port side, Opens up the interior space so that is attractive.

BoatEast said: ↑ It is only 8 months old, but was owned by a person that I am told is having a 64 foot built ... has already traded this to the exclusive US broker in South Fla. The hybrid hull seemed interesting. I was thinking, when combined with gyro, would provide a smoother ride but still provide some speed. Not sure that will happen. Speed is not as critical for me but 10 knots is is too slow. There is warranty left for another year, provided by the dealer in Fla, but am wondering about needing to get parts from Turkey in the next couple of years. Trying to figure out if I am nuts to buy a boat that is so new to the market with no track record. Click to expand...

DJ Catalyst New Member

So, @BoatEast , did you end up with the Sirena 58? I’m intrigued by it, but mostly because I really want the 66 but might not have the scratch to afford it, so the 58 beckons. But, the Sunseeker Manhattan 52 also looks pretty swell. Different mission, but checks many of the same (usable space) boxes (maybe better). What did you do?

A bit of update on Sirena. They report having sold 60 boats, which is a substantial number from their first in January 2017. They report 60% in the Americas, 40% in Europe and the rest in Turkey. 100%-60%-40%=rest? Now that included many that are in production and not delivered as they have 22 boats in production, so would indicate 38 delivered. They now have a 58', a 64' and am 88'. One question I would ask is would be regarding the following statement. They say they have "introduced also a series of design upgrades and technical tweaks to the Sirena 58 and Sirena 64." Sounds good for new builds, but I'd ask what they are and what is it about the prior builds they felt needed to be changed. In fact, you don't have to ask as they list them. SIRENA 58 AND 64: A SERIES OF DESIGN UPDATES Following up on the commercial success of the Sirena, the brand has introduced also a series of design upgrades and technical tweaks to the Sirena 58 and Sirena 64. Sirena 58 - New master bathroom layout and design - Revised fly bridge helm console and seats - Numerous interior upgrades “We’re always listening to our owners and constantly introducing improvements to our products based on their feedback,” says Constantinos Constantinou, head of operations for Sirena in North America. “Some of these upgrades may seem unimportant, but they are all designed to make the cruising experience safer, more comfortable and ultimately more rewarding.” A prime example is the wider staircase with larger treads leading down to the accommodation deck that improves both comfort and safety on the Sirena 58. Another is the fully redesigned master bathroom featuring a rectangular shower stall that is almost 50% more spacious than the previous circular-style shower. In order to keep abreast of current trends in interior design, a new range of interior decor packages are also available. Another enhancement has been introduced on the flybridge with an entirely new helm console and dashboard featuring improved ergonomics and aesthetics, and a pair of ergonomic marine seats by STIDD that replace the previous bench seating. Sirena 64 - New stabilization options - Improved galley layout - Second walk-in wardrobe for live-aboard owners In addition to Seakeeper gyro stabilizers with Zipwake interceptors, Sirena is now offering the option of zero-speed Humphree fins and Humphree interceptors. “The advantage is that the Humphree fins and interceptors ‘talk’ to each other in a fully integrated system to control both roll and trim,” says Constantinou. “We introduced the fin integrated system option at the request of Sirena owners who voyage for longer distances at higher cruising speeds.” A revised galley layout is also available with more countertop area and storage space with deeper drawers and closets. The principle improvement here is that a new countertop has been introduced between the galley and the helm station and the space underneath the helm seat is used for extra storage that is accessible from the galley. In addition to the new palette of interior materials and finishes across the Sirena range, the 3-cabin version of the Sirena 64 now comes with a second additional walk-in wardrobe in the full-beam master suite, which already had an abundance of garment storage space. “Based on the request of a specific live-aboard owner, we developed an arrangement with an extra wardrobe where the fourth cabin would be,” says Constantinou. “It’s another example of how we listen to our customers and aim to offer them a higher level of personalization, which is what Sirena is all about at the end of the day. ​ A buyer of a used boat would have to look at each of those things and decide if they were critical to them. I do find their boats interesting and very functional. I would find comparisons of a Sirena 58 and Sunseeker Manhattan 55 and of a Sirena 64 with a Manhattan 66 and Manhattan 68 to be extremely interesting. My belief is that one would slightly prefer the Sunseekers but they would come at a significantly higher price. Chevrolet's outsell Buicks and outsell Cadillacs. One thing I still find disturbing on Sirena is no mention on their site of the company's history, founder to current owner, or if they're the same. I wouldn't buy a boat from any company without knowing it's ownership structure. Now understand Sunseeker shows their entire history on their site but conveniently makes no mention of their current ownership. Just it is readily available information.

Danvilletim Senior Member

I spent time on the 55 and 64 and also though the layout was very smart. The 88 Sirena is even. Ore amazing.

NYCAP123 Senior Member

I'm not familiar with this boat, but a few things bother me. 1) Regarding the specific boat referenced by the OP: What possesses someone to spend this kind of money on a boat and then look to sell it 8 months later? That would be a huge red flag to me. 2) Regarding the wet ride (" I thought the boat's fine, plumb bow of the 58 might result in a wet boat -- and yes, according the the review, "regular packets of spray doused the foredeck" when motoring in a "light swell," and sent occasional spray over the flybridge. The article said the windshield wipers were "kept busy." Not much fun to cruise in a boat that requires foul weather gear when you run it from the fly bridge."): What must this be like coming in an inlet with 10' rolling in from behind and an outflowing current? The plum box and ax bow designs are a new (recycled) style that seems to be catching on, but in my estimation is yet to be proven on smaller yachts. I've had enough flared bows dip through the waves, but at least they work to raise themselves over. To me, at least on smaller yachts, these are calm water boats. 3) Regarding the company's lack of history and reach: If you're buying a new yacht you're dependent on your warranty. Who represents them in the U.S.? Will claims be ignored or delayed as has happened with other new brands that have hit our shores?

Wow. The 88 has an incredible design. The asymmetric arrangement - with the bow leading to the Fly - is brilliant. As is the main-floor master. I mean, look - owners of boats this size are predominantly "of a certain age", and single-floor living is a win. If only....

Cruz Member

DJ Catalyst said: ↑ So, @BoatEast , did you end up with the Sirena 58? I’m intrigued by it, but mostly because I really want the 66 but might not have the scratch to afford it, so the 58 beckons. Click to expand...

BRyachts Member

DJ Catalyst said: ↑ Wow. The 88 has an incredible design. The asymmetric arrangement - with the bow leading to the Fly - is brilliant. As is the main-floor master. I mean, look - owners of boats this size are predominantly "of a certain age", and single-floor living is a win. If only.... Click to expand...

mapism Senior Member

DJ Catalyst said: ↑ The asymmetric arrangement - with the bow leading to the Fly - is brilliant. Click to expand...

Ok, I'll weigh in on the 88. Looked at from afar, a great design. Looked at in detail, one of the worst designs I've ever seen. It falls apart in so many ways. As to calling the galley Rinky-Dink, I thought what a harsh statement, until I looked. That's a small galley for a 45' boat. That's a galley for people who never eat aboard. When you cram 5 staterooms into 88', the reasoning is generally for charter. But then charter requires extra crew and galley. I look at sizing and start to wonder if it's built for small people. Must be based on crew area and based on size of pilothouse and galley and other areas. It's like asking how much we can fit into this size. I compare to our 85' Pacific Mariner and turn away confused. The Sirena is 2' more beam, 1' more draft, 43,000 more pounds weight and yet seems nowhere nearly as spacious. Plus I don't buy the 25 knots performance at all with the added draft, weight and beam. I also don't buy the 2100 nm at 9 knots or 3100 nm with optional tank. I can believe it in theory, but that requires running basically at idle and difficult to achieve plus on a crossing will be very impacted by wind and waves and the calm water theory is overboard. Yes, at 8 knots, if you take our numbers we hit 2340 nm, but that's at 750 RPM and at 1000 RPM we hit 10 knots and only 1661 nm. I would put our real world maximum range around 1300-1400 nm. Our galley is more than 50% larger. Our lower helm vs. the pilothouse has double the space. Our cabins are larger as only four but all on lower level. Main deck masters are nice but not on boats this size unless you're willing to sacrifice in other areas. Our salon is much more spacious. Our flybridge has more space. That brings me to the design that has two helms within nearly inches of each other. Step from their flybridge helm into the pilothouse. One seat in the pilothouse? And the designer must hate crew. Our crew area is comfortable for three ir four with 2 heads (vs. 1), full size captains bed (vs. small), shower vs wet head. Even with ours we generally let crew use one of the cabins. However, for 10 people you'd definitely need more crew, especially if chartering. We chartered a boat like hours before buying. Always had a crew of four with maximum of 6 or 8 guests. The soak pool plus hot tub was clearly excess showing off and a bit much. As to the off center hot but causing the entire boat to list, not on a boat that size. Ours is off center and no issue. So you can't service 10 with the crew or galley. I don't think you could properly service 8. That galley is for a maximum of 6 people. A Sunseeker Manhattan 52 has an equivalent galley. Sorry as I like the designs of the smaller models, but they just tried to pack more into an 88 than fits and came out with a mess.

Tortoise Guest

Not to mention the “safety railings” that get lower and lower as one moves forward to be bow. But if you could keep it indoors in a glass boathouse, it would make a really nice sculpture.

@NYCAP123 It is sad that we live in an era where mere fandom is seen as paid promotion. I am not what you assert. Here is my LinkedIn profile: [mod deleted] - I hope my resume helps you believe I’m not a shill. I hope the world starts to return to normal someday.

DJ Catalyst said: ↑ @NYCAP123 It is sad that we live in an era where mere fandom is seen as paid promotion. I am not what you assert. Here is my LinkedIn profile: https://LinkedIn.com/in/jaybatson - I hope my resume helps you believe I’m not a shill. I hope the world starts to return to normal someday. Click to expand...

DJ Catalyst said: ↑ I hope the world starts to return to normal someday. Click to expand...

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Yacht Sank in Sicily Due to ‘Endless Chain of Errors,' Ship Maker's Owner Speculates: ‘Everything Was Predictable’

"A series of activities should have been done to avoid finding oneself in that situation," argues Giovanni Costantino, who owns the firm that built the vessel in 2008

• Giovanni Costantino — who is the CEO of The Italian Sea Group, the company that now owns Perini Navi, which built the  Bayesian  in 2008 — blames an "endless chain of errors" for the luxury yacht’s sinking on Monday, Aug. 19
• "Everything was predictable. I have the weather charts in front of me here," Constantino told Italian newspaper  Corriere della Sera  of the storm the boat was caught in
• "An unsinkable ship but from the crew an endless chain of errors," the CEO claimed to the outlet

The sinking of the luxury Bayesian  yacht off the coast of Sicily this week  resulted from an "endless chain of errors" by the crew, the ship maker's CEO is speculating.

"This episode sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact," Giovanni Costantino — who leads The Italian Sea Group, the company that now owns Perini Navi, which built the  Bayesian  in 2008 — said,  according to CNN .

While speaking to  Italian newspaper  Corriere della Sera , Costantino said he believes those on board should not have been in their cabins, as he claims they were, when the Bayesian sank in the early hours of Monday, Aug. 19. 

Many details of why the yacht went into the water so quickly remain unclear and it's not yet known what the passengers and crew were doing before tragedy struck.

PERINI NAVI PRESS OFFICE/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The 183-foot British vessel sank around 5 a.m. local time on Monday after a "violent storm" while near Porticello, the Italian coast guard said in a statement that was previously obtained by PEOPLE.

"Everything that has been done reveals a very long sum of errors. The people should not have been in the cabins, the boat should not have been at anchor. And then why didn't the crew know about the incoming disturbance?" Costantino said in his interview, translated from Italian.

"The passengers reported an absurd thing, namely that the storm came unexpected, suddenly. It's not true. Everything was predictable. I have the weather charts in front of me here. Nothing came suddenly ... Ask yourself, why was no fisherman from Porticello out that night? A fisherman reads the weather conditions and a ship doesn't? The disturbance was fully readable in all the weather charts. One could not not know," he argued.

"An unsinkable ship but from the crew an endless chain of errors," the CEO asserted.

The coast guard has said 22 people were aboard the  Bayesian  when it sank — 12 passengers and 10 crew — and that 15 of those were subsequently rescued.

The body of the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered nearby. 

ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty

Costantino's comments came as it was reported that five bodies had been found in the search for the missing six people as of Wednesday, Aug. 21, a source close to the rescue operations confirmed to PEOPLE. Authorities have said that their work is ongoing. 

An Italian government official, Massimo Mariani, reportedly named one of the dead as British tech tycoon Mike Lynch . The other bodies have not yet been publicly identified by authorities. 

Lynch was celebrating with family and friends on the yacht following his acquittal in a fraud trial in June, PEOPLE previously reported.

Costantino offered his view of how the tragedy could have been avoided: "To begin with, in a weather alert situation it was inappropriate to have, as I read, a party. Not that evening. The hull and deck needed to be secured by closing all doors and hatches, after putting the guests at the ship's meeting point as per emergency procedure. Then start the engines and pull up the anchor or release it automatically, put the bow to the wind and lower the keel.

"The next morning they would have departed with zero damage." 

Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty

When discussing whether the crew were at fault, Costantino reiterated to the Italian outlet that he believes "errors were made."

"A series of activities should have been done to avoid finding oneself in that situation," he said. "I as the ship's captain would have moved, but even if for some reason I had to stay there, I would have managed those weather conditions which then, let's face it, weren't so crazy."

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.  

Costantino contended that there would have been "a zero risk if the correct maneuvers had been made and if situations that compromised the ship's stability had not occurred," adding to the newspaper that reports that the boat went down in seconds is "nonsense." He believes the yacht would have "went down" after water "started to enter" within "six minutes."

The remaining missing  Bayesian  passengers are Lynch's daughter Hannah as well as Chairman of Morgan Stanley International  Jonathan Bloomer, his wife, Judy , and New York City-based lawyer  Christopher Morvillo and his wife, Neda , sources have said.

Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, was among those rescued, PEOPLE previously reported.

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A bespoke fit: Here’s how you can make the 25m Sirena 78 your own

At the Cannes Yachting Festival, Turkish yacht builder Sirena will present its hotly-anticipated new 25 metre model, the Sirena 78. Penned by exterior design studio Frers Naval Architecture and interior designer Cor D. Rover, the new yacht is packed with distinct characteristics that set it apart from the competition.

One defining feature is the high-volume layout, which is styled in a cool and contemporary theme. However, the actual configuration of the Sirena 78 is all about flexibility and customisation. Ahead of her debut, we take a look at what kind of features an owner can adapt to make the Sirena 78 a perfect fit.

One or two saloons?

The yard conceived the Sirena 78 as the ultimate at-sea entertainer, so the yacht offers plenty of social hotspots across her decks. The owner can alter the layout to include either one or two saloons. Plus, the absence of a main-deck helm station has provided even more space for gathering and entertaining.

To help form a warm and inviting ambience, the choice of materials in the saloon includes light honey-coloured wood and soft semi-gloss lacquer. To add flair and complement the yacht’s exterior, Sirena Yachts has added bold dark woods and an anthracite lacquer to the pallete offset by fine white leathers and fabrics. The result is a modern version of an open loft that promotes a sense of unrestricted freedom, which is particularly welcome during long voyages.

Open or closed flybridge?

To appeal to a range of buyers cruising in different climates, the Sirena 78’s flybridge is available in an open, semi-enclosed or fully-enclosed format. Those opting for a semi or fully-closed design will also benefit from super-sized windows that let in light and block any unpleasant weather or sea spray. The open flybridge will give guests more exposure to the outdoor environment while still providing shade and shelter thanks to the robust hardtop.

10 or 20 items of furniture?

Sirena Yachts has given its owners many opportunities to customise their Sirena 78. With each unit set to be different from the last, the yard has devised a “revolutionary” loose furniture concept, where all items can be arranged however the owner sees fit. Furniture such as settees and ottomans can carry the yacht’s pale and light grey colour scheme to continue Sirena Yachts’ tranquil theme. This style of decor has been created to “soothe the senses and invite the environment in”, particularly on the main deck, where large windows and seamless doors keep guests connected to the outdoors.

Inside or outside?

Aside from the flybridge, a key outdoor area on board the Sirena 78 is the foredeck. Here guests can lounge on the huge sunpad or settees, or sit around the tables to port and starboard to enjoy the alfresco lifestyle. Further inside on the main deck is where the galley can be found. Doubling as another entertainment space, the galley features a large central island, long countertops, a deep sink and full-size appliances.

Down below on the lower deck, a full-beam master cabin with a private bath and dressing area amidships is dedicated to the owner. Complete with an en-suite bathroom, the VIP benefits from large windows that give guests a close-up view over the water.

Crew or no crew?

The boat’s size and amenities are created to appeal to owners looking to take their first steps into crew-operated yachts. However, for the more experienced owner-operators, the yacht can be handled by a single person from the helm station on the flybridge. The flybridge is a key element on nearly all Sirenas that offers plenty of space and undisrupted views, making it the ideal place for anyone to drive the Sirena 78 and fully appreciate her capability.

Standard or custom propulsion?

To help her owner discover new cruising grounds, the Sirena 78 comes with a range of approximately 1,550 nautical miles when travelling at 10 knots in the innovative “economy cruising mode”. This can be achieved with Sirena Yachts’ standard propulsion package that includes twin Man V12 1400 HP engines and a top speed of 23.1 knots. The other two engine options – the 1550 HP and the 1800 HP – can reach 24.2 and 25.7 knots respectively.

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What is known about the sinking of a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily and those aboard

PORTICELLO, Sicily — Specialist cave divers working in 12-minute underwater shifts were searching Tuesday for six missing passengers and crew, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, believed to be in the submerged wreck of a luxury yacht that was slammed by a powerful storm and swiftly sank off Sicily.

The sleek yacht, named the Bayesian, was carrying a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers when it suddenly sank near the Mediterranean island that is part of Italy at about 4 a.m. on Monday. One body has been recovered and 15 people survived.

Fire rescue officials have said the six believed to remain in the sailboat's hull will be considered missing until they are located in the wreckage.

Here's what we know so far about the sinking and those who were on board.

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What happened?

Italian civil protection officials believe a sudden and fierce storm that battered the coast of Sicily in the early hours of Monday whipped up a waterspout in the exact spot where the 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged Bayesian was moored.

Karsten Borner, the captain of another yacht moored nearby, said he saw the Bayesian during the storm but when the wild weather passed it was gone and he saw only a red flare lighting the night sky, the Italian news agency ANSA and the Giornale di Sicilia newspaper reported.

Borner and one of his crew boarded their tender and found a lifeboat carrying 15 people, some of them injured. They took them aboard their yacht and alerted the coast guard.

Rescue authorities said the wreck was resting at a depth of 50 meters (163 feet) about a half mile offshore of the picturesque fishing village of Porticello.

Who was on board?

Among the missing is 59-year-old tech tycoon Mike Lynch, sometimes described as the British Bill Gates. Lynch was acquitted in June of all charges in a US fraud trial linked to the $11 billion sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard in 2011.

Lynch still faced a potentially huge bill stemming from a civil case in London that HP mostly won during 2022. Damages haven’t been determined in that case, but HP is seeking $4 billion. Lynch made more than $800 million from the Autonomy sale.

A Cambridge-educated mathematician, Lynch made his name running Autonomy, which made a search engine that could pore through emails and other internal business documents to help companies find vital information more quickly.

Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah was reportedly among the missing. His wife, Angela Bacares, and 14 other people survived.

Among others still missing Tuesday, according to the civil protection agency, were one of Lynch’s US lawyers, Christopher Morvillo of Clifford Chance, and Morvillo’s wife, Neda. Morvillo was regarded as an elite defense lawyer and was also a federal prosecutor in New York after 9/11.

Also missing was Jonathan Bloomer, the non-executive chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife, Judy. He is the former head of the Autonomy audit committee and testified for the defense at Lynch’s trial.

Bloomer was also chair of the Hiscox Group, an insurer that does business on the Lloyd’s of London market.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic event,” Hiscox CEO Aki Hussain said in a statement.

Among the survivors was Charlotte Golunski, who said she momentarily lost hold of her 1-year-old daughter Sofia in the water, but then managed to grab her and hold her up over the waves until a lifeboat inflated and they were both pulled to safety, ANSA reported. The father, identified by ANSA as James Emslie, also survived.

The Dutch foreign ministry said a Dutch man survived. The ministry, citing privacy, did not release his identity.

One body was recovered on Monday, identified as the on-board chef.

What is the Bayesian?

The Bayesian was a luxury yacht built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Nav. It was known for its single 75-meter (246-feet) aluminum mast — one of the world’s tallest. Online charter sites listed it for rent for up to 195,000 euros (about $215,000) a week.

Its registered owner is listed as Revtom Ltd., based on the Isle of Man, according to online maritime database Equasis. Lynch’s wife is listed as Revtom’s sole owner, according to corporate registration documents from the Isle of Man.

The yacht's name is an apparent reference to “Bayesian inference,” one of the two main approaches to statistical machine learning and the one that was used by Autonomy.

What is a waterspout?

Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water and can happen when a storm moves across warm water.

According to the US National Ocean Service, there are two types of waterspouts — fair-weather and tornadic.

Tornadic waterspouts “have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning,” the service says on its website.

While scientists haven't attributed the specific event to climate change, average monthly surface temperatures have been at record highs for months. Hotter air can hold more moisture, making heavier storms more likely.

Sicily has been baking under intense heat this summer, and the United Nations’ panel of climate change experts notes the Mediterranean Sea is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with warming rates roughly 20 percent higher than the global average.

How rare is it for a huge sailboat like this to capsize?

Experts say it is extraordinarily rare for a luxury sailboat of this size to capsize due to weather events.

“This just doesn’t happen. You know, boats sink because things like keels fall off, or they run aground and breach the hull ... whereas just from a weather angle, a boat that big being pushed over on its side is absolutely extraordinary,” said Skip Novak, a lifelong sailor who has taken part in multiple round the world yacht races and written books about sailing.

Novak said he believed that strong gusts likely pushed the yacht over 90 degrees to its side, and the vessel did not recover because of the weight of the huge mast and because it was anchored. He suggested that internal doors were likely not closed, and water quickly poured in to sink the vessel.

“When you’re at anchor, even if it’s blowing with a storm in the Mediterranean, you rarely shut the whole boat down because nobody expects something like this to happen," Novak told The Associated Press. “So if the boat wasn’t completely watertight at the deck, you’d have flooding going in. It would take a couple minutes and that would be it."

What happens next?

As the search for the missing continues, authorities already have begun trying to piece together exactly what happened.

Prosecutors from the Sicilian town of Termini Imerese have opened an investigation, as is normal in such events even when no suspects are identified. To date, they have not commented publicly.

The British Marine Accident Investigation Branch said four of its inspectors were being deployed to Palermo.

Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands. Associated Press writer Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this report.

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Maker of bayesian yacht blames crew for ‘indescribable, unreasonable errors’ in doomed vessel’s sinking.

The CEO of the company that built the $40 million yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily this week has blamed the crew for the tragedy — saying they had 16 minutes and could have easily saved the seven who died.

“The boat suffered a series of indescribable, unreasonable errors,” Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group, told Reuters of the Bayesian sinking Monday, killing seven of the 22 onboard.

“The impossible happened on that boat … but it went down because it took on water. From where, the investigators will tell,” he said.

Blaming the crew for the “incredible mistake” of not being prepared for the storm, he said: “This is the mistake that cries out for vengeance.”

Costantino, whose company includes Perini Navi, the Italian high-end yacht maker that built the 183-foot superyacht in 2008, staunchly defended its construction — saying it had survived far more extreme storms during 22 years of trouble-free navigation.

Instead, he expressed horror that the crew was unable to save the seven who died — including the Bayesian’s owner, British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.

He said the crew had a 16-minute window before the craft sank — plenty of time to get everyone to safety.

“The torture lasted 16 minutes,” he told the Financial Times.

“It went down, not in one minute as some scientists have said. It went down in 16 minutes. You can see it from the charts, from the AIS [Automatic Identification System] tracking chart,” he said.

Additionally, doors and hatches should have been closed, and the keel should have been lowered to increase stability, among other safety measures, Costantino said.

Had correct procedures been followed, all passengers would have gone back to sleep after one hour, “and the next morning they would have happily resumed their wonderful cruise,” he added.

“The captain should have prepared the boat and put it in a state of alert and of safety.”

“Ask yourself — why were none of the Porticello fishermen out that night? A fisherman checks the conditions and a ship doesn’t? The disturbance was completely readable on all the weather maps. It was impossible not to know,” he said.

What to know after a tornado sank the yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily:

• A superyacht capsized off the coast of Sicily after a tornado hit the area early Monday, killing seven passengers.
• British tech tycoon Mike Lynch was identified as one of the bodies pulled from the wreckage. His teenage daughter, Hannah, was the final one to be recovered.
• Lynch — known as “Britain’s Bill Gates” — had invited guests from Clifford Chance, a legal firm that represented him, and Invoke Capital, his own company, on the voyage,  according to the Telegraph . 
• Security camera footage shot from 650 feet from where the  Bayesian sank Monday  shows it disappearing.
• A rare and unexpected “black swan” weather event may have led to the  Bayesian’s speedy demise , maritime experts say.

Bayesian had 22 people on board — 12 passengers and 10 crew — when it capsized and sank during a storm while anchored off the coast of northern Sicily.

Of those on board, 15 people — including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares — were rescued after escaping onto a lifeboat. 

Rescue divers located Lynch’s teen daughter Friday, the final missing person, the Italian coast guard said.   

The bodies of the other dead passengers, including Lynch and New York attorney Christopher Morvillo, were recovered Wednesday and Thursday from inside the hull of the sunken yacht. Those on board were there to help Lynch celebrate his recent acquittal in a major US fraud trial. 

Meanwhile, Italian authorities launched a manslaughter investigation into what downed the $40 million yacht after it was struck by an intense storm early Monday, local media reported.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Termini Imerese had started making inquiries and was looking at a slew of offenses — including “shipwreck and multiple counts of culpable homicide against an unknown person,” sources told Palermo Today.

With Post wires

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