All the latest news surrounding the 56m sunken superyacht Bayesian as investigations continue

Investigation of wreckage site begins

The preliminary investigation of the site where Bayesian sank has begun off the coast of Porticello, Sicily. Works are being led by the multi-purpose floating work barge, Hebo-Lift 2, which has been loaded with project-specific salvage equipment and specialist personnel – including expert divers and remotely-operated underwater vehicle pilots.

The investigation will involve a detailed inspection and analysis of Bayesian and the surrounding marine environment via a remote-controlled submersible. This is expected to take 7-10 days.

Three Bayesian crew members officially under investigation

Three of Bayesian's crew members are officially under investigation for crimes including "negligence, recklessness and malpractice" in failing to save the sailing yacht from freak weather, according to Italian prosecutors. This is a key update in the manslaughter probe underway in Sicily, led by prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano.

• Captain James Cutfield is under scrutiny for not "promptly tak[ing] all measures to deal with the emergency situation that had arisen". The document specifies a potential charge in failing to warn the guests, which resulted in Michael Lynch, Hannah Lynch, Judith Bloomer, Jonathan Bloomer, Christopher Morvillo, Neda Morvillo and Recaldo Thomas being "trapped in the lower rooms [and] brought to the bottom with the boat as it sank".
• Chief engineer Timothy Parker Eaton, who was the only crew member on the aft area of the vessel, is being investigated for negligence by failing to realise that Bayesian had already begun to take on water – and warning the captain accordingly.
• Deckhand Matthew Griffiths, who was assigned to the night watch, is being investigated for failure to notice the worsening weather conditions.

The result of this investigation is heavily reliant on the yacht's salvage, as the hull will provide crucial evidentiary material related to the sinking's cause.

Principal rescue crane arrives in Sicily

The principal floating crane, Hebo-Lift 10, has arrived at the port of Termini Imerese in Palermo, Italy, ahead of schedule. The 6,695GT heavy lifting asset is one of Europe's most powerful maritime cranes and will be instrumental in the salvage of Bayesian.

The multi-purpose floating work barge, Hebo-Lift 2, which will be supporting Hebo-Lift 10, arrived in Sicily earlier this week. She has spent the past two days being loaded with project-specific salvage equipment and specialist personnel, with clement weather meaning she will be departing for Porticello today to complete initial preparatory works on site.

First rescue barge arrives in Sicily for "early stages" of salvage

The work barge Hebo-Lift 2 arrives at the port of Termini Imerese in Palermo, Sicily. According to a statement released by TMC Marine, the vessel, which is accompanied by an Italian support tug, will stay in port for two days to load the project-specific salvage equipment. Expert divers, remotely-operated underwater vehicle pilots and other specialist marine personnel (totalling approximately 70 persons) will also embark Hebo-Lift 2 over the next 48 hours.

The vessel will head for the wreck site this weekend (3-4 May), subject to suitable weather. The salvage's principal floating crane, Hebo-Lift 10, is scheduled to arrive in Palermo on 4 May and will remain in port for these early stages.

Salvage begins

Operations for the recovery of Bayesian are set to start at midnight tonight, according to an official order signed by Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Alessandro Barra. In the next few days, salvage specialists Hebo Maritiemservice and Smit Salvage will deploy their heavy-lift vessels, Hebo-Lift 2 and Hebo-Lift 10, to the wreck's location at LAT 38° 05’.008 N – LONG. 13° 33’.109 E (pictured). An insider source tells BOAT International that the signalling system at the Scoglio della Formica – a rock shoal and historical landmark located approximately 100 metres from the wreckage – is malfunctioning, which is likely to cause a hazard at nighttime.

A 650-metre exclusion zone is now in place around the site, with overflight by any apparatus or aircraft also prohibited up to a height of 200 metres from the water's surface. The official order notes that once Bayesian is recovered and transported to the port of Termini Imerese, all naval units not associated with the salvage must maintain a distance of no less than 500 metres. Recovery is expected to take four weeks.

Salvage vessel to arrive in Sicily by 4 May

The 5,695 GT floating sheerleg Hebo-Lift 10 will join the work barge Hebo-Lift 2 as the vessel responsible for lifting Bayesian out of the water. Owned by Dutch towing company Hebo Maritiemservice, the Hebo-Lift 10 has a lifting height of 83.2 metres and a lifting capacity of 2,200 tons. At the time of writing, the vessel's AIS is registering off the coast of Portugal. It is scheduled to arrive in Palermo, Sicily on 4 May, after which it will travel to Porticello. 

Specialist anti-pollution teams that have been monitoring the area since Bayesian's sinking are now confirmed to be continuously involved in the upcoming salvage works, ensuring environmental protection remains a top priority during the recovery process.

Further details of salvage operation revealed

Credit: Antonio Cascio/Bloomberg via Getty Images

An insider source tells BOAT International that on-site works will be led by Dutch companies HEBO Maritiemservice and Smit Salvage, the latter being the company responsible for recovering the cruise ship Costa Concordia after her infamous 2012 sinking, with British-based consultancy TMC Marine overseeing the operation. Following the mobilisation of heavy-lifting and diving maritime assets from across Europe, the first stage will be the removal and recovery of Bayesian's 72-metre main mast. Underwater works are planned to commence shortly after.

UK inquest resumes

The UK inquest resumes at The Coroner’s Court in Ipswich. The court determines the scope of the investigation, suggests key witnesses and "interested persons" and receives key updates from involved parties such as the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). MAIB confirms that an interim report, which investigates the causes and circumstances surrounding the disaster, should be expected in “four to six weeks”.

Geophysical surveys being carried out

The Italian Coast Guard confirms that “geophysical surveys” are being carried out in the waters of Porticello. During this time, any other naval units are prohibited from anchoring or travelling in the area, as well as carrying out professional or recreational diving and fishing. Any public use is also prohibited unless expressly authorised.

The impact of the sinking six months on

On the six-month anniversary of the Bayesian sinking, BOAT International releases an investigative report into the tragedy's impacts on the wider yachting industry, speaking to figures in yacht law, emergency response and crew recruitment.