Shipbuilder Sues Widow of Tech Billionaire Over Superyacht Sinking off Sicily
Termini Imerese, Sicily – The Italian Sea Group (TISG), builder of the superyacht Bayesian, has filed a lawsuit against Angela Bacares, widow of British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch, seeking nearly £400 million (approximately €456 million) in damages. The legal action, lodged in a Sicilian court, alleges that negligence and crew incompetence led to the yacht’s sinking last August, causing significant financial and reputational harm to the shipbuilder.
The Bayesian capsized and sank during a violent storm off the coast of Sicily on August 19, 2024, claiming the lives of Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, and five others. Bacares was among the survivors.
TISG claims the 184-foot yacht, marketed as “unsinkable,” was lost due to failures by the crew to properly secure the vessel in anticipation of severe weather. Court documents name Bacares, as the legal owner of the yacht’s holding company Revtom, alongside skipper James Cutfield and two crew members as defendants. The shipbuilder alleges the crew failed to heed weather warnings, lower the keel, and adequately secure hatches, directly contributing to the capsize.
The lawsuit asserts that the sinking has resulted in the collapse of planned yacht orders, totaling close to £1 billion, and a complete halt in sales of Perini-branded yachts – a significant blow to TISG, which is majority-owned by Italian yachting millionaire Giovanni Costantino.
“This claim is as cynical as it is predictable,” a source close to the Lynch family told the Telegraph, rejecting the allegations. The source further stated that the UK investigation into the sinking has revealed “serious, unresolved questions about the yacht’s design, stability and operating characteristics,” suggesting potential vulnerabilities unknown to the owner and crew.
These concerns echo findings from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), which reported last year that the Bayesian possessed “vulnerabilities” the crew were unaware of, including instability linked to its unusually tall mast. The MAIB investigation found that critical stability information was lacking onboard.
This isn’t the first attempt by TISG to pursue legal action. A similar claim was briefly filed in September 2024, only to be withdrawn shortly after, with the company stating it had only issued a “generic mandate” and hadn’t authorized the filing of a formal writ.
The tragedy has prompted multiple investigations. Italian prosecutors have confirmed that crew members are under criminal investigation, while the families of those who died are considering civil action. The incident also adds another layer of complexity to Lynch’s existing legal battles. The UK High Court recently ruled that Lynch’s estate owes over £700 million to Hewlett-Packard (HP) related to the 2011 acquisition of his software firm, Autonomy. This ruling, despite Lynch’s acquittal on related criminal charges in the US shortly before his death, could potentially bankrupt the estate, which would pass to Bacares and their surviving daughter.
Bacares recently provided a detailed account of the final moments before the sinking to Italian prosecutors, describing a gradual tilt that initially didn’t raise alarm. She recounted feeling “reassured” by the crew’s calmness before the yacht was suddenly overwhelmed by winds reaching up to 80 mph and a tornado-like waterspout.
The sinking of the Bayesian highlights the inherent risks associated with luxury yachting and the importance of robust safety protocols. The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of yacht design and stability regulations, particularly concerning vessels with unconventional features like the Bayesian’s tall mast. The case is likely to set a precedent for liability in similar maritime disasters, impacting the yachting industry globally.
[Image of the Bayesian sinking – sourced from original article]
[Image of Angela Bacares – sourced from original article]
[Image of the wreckage recovery – sourced from original article]
Timeline of the Sinking (Based on AIS Data):
- 3:50 AM: The Bayesian begins to experience dangerous shaking.
- 3:59 AM: The anchor gives way.
- 4:00 AM: The yacht begins taking on water and experiences a power outage.
- 4:05 AM: The Bayesian fully submerges.
- 4:06 AM: A distress signal is emitted to the coast guard.
TISG has been contacted for comment.
