Diver Dies in Bayesian Superyacht Salvage Off Sicily

A 39-year-old Dutch diver died during preliminary salvage work to recover the Bayesian superyacht off Sicily, with early theories suggesting the cause may be either a medical episode underwater or being struck by debris as he prepared to cut parts of the wreck. The diver was reportedly working for Dutch salvage firms SMIT Salvage or Hebo Maritiemservice, and an official investigation into his death is underway. The 56-meter Bayesian, owned by British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, sank in August 2024 during a violent storm, resulting in the deaths of Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and five others. About 70 specialists from across Europe have been mobilized for the complex recovery operation. Authorities hope that raising the yacht, overseen by British consultancy TMC Marine and led by Dutch and Italian salvage experts, will yield crucial evidence for ongoing inquests into both the sinking and the diver’s death. The incident underscores the risks involved in major marine salvage projects.