“It all happened so quickly. Karsten Borner was standing on the halfdeck of his sailboat in the slanting rain. A seasoned mariner who had weathered many storms, he was anchored in the same cove as Mr. Lynch’s yacht when the squall arrived in the early hours of Aug. 19. Fortunately, he was already awake. As the wind intensified, he and his crew hurried to close hatches, clear decks, and start the engines to stabilize the boat. In the flashes of lightning, he caught glimpses of Mr. Lynch’s sleek sloop bobbing behind him. The rain fell heavily, obscuring his view. When he looked up again, he was shocked to see the Bayesian sinking at an odd angle into the sea.
In the weeks following the tragedy, Mr. Borner, an experienced sailor, still cannot believe the yacht sank before his eyes. There were no large waves that night, and both boats were close to shore. His own sailboat, a converted tugboat from East Germany, weathered the storm without incident. The superyacht that sank was a luxurious, 184-foot vessel that attracted attention wherever it went.
The sinking of the Bayesian has sparked investigations into the incident, leaving maritime experts puzzled and adding to the grief of the families and friends of the seven victims. Questions have arisen about why the yacht sank so rapidly, whether there were design flaws, and if the crew made fatal errors.
The Bayesian, a unique sailboat built by Perini Navi, had distinctive features that set it apart from other superyachts. However, flaws in its design have been identified by experts, including vulnerabilities that may have contributed to the disaster.
The world of superyachts is shrouded in secrecy, with regulations and ownership details closely guarded. The attention drawn to this tragedy may lead to a reevaluation of yachting regulations to ensure the safety of similar vessels in the future.
The investigation into the sinking of the Bayesian continues, with experts examining the technical details of the yacht’s design and operation. The tragic events of that fateful night have raised concerns about the safety and stability of superyachts, prompting calls for stricter regulations in the industry.”