A British-flagged superyacht named the Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily during a violent storm on Monday, resulting in the tragic deaths of several passengers.

As of Wednesday, divers have recovered five bodies from the wreckage, and one person remains missing, and the incident has sparked a criminal investigation as authorities seek to uncover the circumstances surrounding the disaster, as ABC 7 in New York reports.

The Bayesian, a 56-meter yacht built by the Italian shipyard Perini Navi in 2008, encountered the storm approximately one kilometer offshore. It is believed that the ship was struck by a waterspout, leading to its sudden and catastrophic sinking.

The vessel's lifeboat, carrying 15 survivors, was rescued by the nearby Sir Robert Baden Powell sailboat, which sustained only minimal damage during the storm.

Divers Recover Bodies from the Wreckage

On Wednesday, rescue crews unloaded three body bags at Porticello and discovered two additional bodies within the wreck. The first body recovered was identified as Recaldo Thomas, the ship's chef from Antigua, who was found on Monday. Thomas, originally from Canada, had moved to Antigua in his early 20s. The identities of the other victims have not been released at this time.

Among the six passengers initially reported missing were British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his associates. The ongoing search for the missing person continues, with divers facing extremely hazardous conditions. These include limited visibility, floating debris, and the confined spaces of the sunken vessel, all of which complicate the recovery efforts.

Investigators Question Yacht’s Stability

In light of the tragedy, questions have arisen about the stability of the Bayesian at the time of the sinking. Jean-Baptiste Souppez, an expert in naval architecture, noted the possibility that the yacht's lifting keel may have been up, which could have compromised its stability during the storm.

"There's a lot of uncertainty as to whether it had a lifting keel and whether it might have been up," Souppez commented.

Another maritime expert, Karsten Bornersaid, suggested that different actions might have been taken to avoid the disaster. "Another possibility is to heave anchor before the storm and to run downwind at open sea," Bornersaid said. However, he also acknowledged that if there were a stability problem, staying at sea might not have been a better option.

Divers Face Dangerous Conditions During Search

The search and recovery operation has been fraught with danger. Divers are operating under strict precautions to minimize the risks associated with decompression sickness. Simon Rogerson, a dive expert, explained that "the longer you stay, the slower your ascent has to be." He added, "It sounds like they're operating essentially on no decompression or very tight decompression, or they're being extremely conservative."

Despite these precautions, progress has been slow. Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the Italian coast guard, described the challenges faced by the divers. "We are trying to advance in tight spaces, but any single thing slows us down," Cari said. He further explained that while divers have reached the cabin level, "it's not like you can open the door."

Search Continues as Hopes for Survivors Fade

As the search continues, the chances of finding any additional survivors diminish. Souppez noted the grim reality, stating, "I think the fact that there's been quite a lot of diving presence around the vessel and that they haven't been able to pick up any signs of life inside the vessel is, unfortunately, not a particularly good sign."

The Italian coast guard is employing underwater robots to aid in the search, hoping to locate the missing person and any other victims trapped within the wreckage. However, the difficult conditions and the extent of the damage to the yacht present significant obstacles to the recovery effort.

Criminal Investigation Launched

In response to the tragedy, the Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a criminal investigation into the sinking of the Bayesian. Investigators are looking into various factors, including the yacht's maintenance history, the decisions made by the crew before the storm, and the possibility of any criminal negligence.

The Bayesian's sinking has raised concerns about the safety and seaworthiness of luxury yachts, particularly those equipped with advanced but potentially vulnerable features like a lifting keel. As the investigation unfolds, authorities aim to determine whether any preventable factors contributed to the disaster.

Conclusion

The sinking of the Bayesian off the coast of Sicily has resulted in a tragic loss of life, with five bodies recovered and one person still missing.

The ongoing recovery efforts face numerous challenges, including dangerous diving conditions and questions about the yacht's stability.

As the criminal investigation progresses, the full story behind this maritime disaster may come to light. In the meantime, the search for the remaining victim continues, with little hope of finding additional survivors.