Bayesian salvage to begin in Italy after fatal sinking

The recovery of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch's superyacht from the waters of northern Sicily is expected to begin in the coming weeks to help shed light on how a supposedly unsinkable vessel disappeared into the sea last August.

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

The Bayesian capsized and sank from the stern in the space of 16 minutes, killing seven people, including Lynch and his daughter Hannah. Since then, the ship owned by the Lynch family has been lying on its starboard side at a depth of 49 metres.

The other six passengers, including Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares, and nine crew members survived.

The tragedy has attracted international attention because of the fame of Lynch, known as "The Bill Gates of Britain".

The shipwreck has also puzzled naval marine experts.

The 534-tonne Bayesian, built in 2008 by yacht manufacturer Perini Navi, now owned by the Italian Sea Group, should have withstood the storm and, in any case, should not have sunk as quickly as it did, experts say.