Dutch Diver Dies During Bayesian Superyacht Recovery Off Sicily

The recovery operation of the superyacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily was halted after the tragic death of a 39-year-old Dutch diver involved in the salvage efforts. The diver, employed by Dutch salvage company Hebo Maritiemservice, died while preparing to cut the yacht’s 75-meter mast to facilitate the vessel’s recovery, though the exact cause of death remains unclear, with investigations exploring possibilities of medical emergency or being struck by debris. The Bayesian, owned by British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, sank in August 2024 during a sudden storm, killing Lynch, his daughter, and five others. The salvage operation, led by Dutch companies Hebo and SMIT Salvage with support from Italian experts and overseen by TMC Marine, was initially expected to last 20 to 25 days but is now suspended indefinitely pending investigation. Authorities have sealed off the area, and investigations into the diver’s death and the original sinking of the yacht are ongoing, with three crew members under manslaughter investigation. This incident highlights critical concerns about diver safety and the complexities involved in recovering large sunken vessels.