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A report by British maritime authorities has concluded that the tragic sinking of the Bayesian superyacht last year off Sicily was due to a powerful gust of wind which caused the vessel to capsize within minutes. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of seven people, including British tech mogul Michael Lynch and his teenage daughter, Hannah.

On the fateful night, a young deckhand on watch delayed in alerting the captain to the approaching storm, instead opting to post a video on social media. This delay resulted in a swift catastrophe as the yacht's protective awning was torn apart by the storm, causing the boat to heel over onto its side and sink rapidly. The towering mast of the Bayesian, one of the tallest in the world, was identified as a critical factor in the boat's heightened vulnerability to capsizing in high winds.

Captain Andrew Moll of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, a British agency, stated that an angle beyond 70 degrees made the situation unrecoverable. The report, which was shared with Jeffrey Gettleman and James Glanz before its official release, highlighted that the extreme wind was sufficient to knock over the yacht, leading to the disaster.

Further examination pointed out that the Bayesian differed from other vessels of its series, which featured two masts instead of one. Experts suggested that the design adjustments required for the unusually tall mast likely compromised the boat's stability. Tad Roberts, a Canadian naval architect, emphasized that the high center of gravity set up the vessel for failure.

Survivors of the accident recounted harrowing experiences of trying to escape the capsizing yacht. Some managed to free themselves from air pockets underwater and swim to safety, while others were pulled into lifeboats by rescuing crew members. One couple reportedly had to climb on top of drawers to reach a door that had become a hatch in the ceiling due to the boat's tilt.

The incident has led to ongoing investigations, including one by Sicilian prosecutors that has named the yacht's captain and two crew members as suspects. British authorities are awaiting a fuller inspection of the hull, which remains at the bottom of a cove off Porticello, Sicily. Efforts to salvage the Bayesian were paused following the death of a diver involved in the operation.

The report revealed critical design flaws, including the boat's "stability book," which lacked essential information on the yacht's vulnerability at anchor. The angle of vanishing stability—where the boat cannot right itself—was found to be significantly less than that of many other sailboats.

This incident underscores the necessity for stringent design and operational standards for superyachts, especially those with unique features like the Bayesian's record-high mast. The Perini Navi-built yacht, according to various experts, was not adequately equipped to handle the fierce storm winds that led to this tragic event.