Tragedy strikes during recovery of sunken superyacht off Sicilian coast
The complex operation to recover the 56-meter superyacht Bayesian, which sank off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, in August 2024, has been temporarily suspended following the death of a specialist diver. The vessel, owned by British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, went down during a sudden and violent storm, resulting in the loss of seven lives, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. The yacht now rests approximately 49 meters beneath the surface.
The deceased diver, identified as 39-year-old Dutch national Rob Cornelis Maria Huijben, was employed by maritime salvage company Hebo Maritiemservice. He was engaged in preparatory work to remove the yacht’s 75-meter aluminium mast—a necessary step before the hull could be raised. Preliminary reports suggest that Huijben may have been struck by dislodged debris during underwater cutting operations, though the exact cause of death remains under investigation. The Palermo Port Authority is leading the inquiry, and the local prosecutor’s office has sealed off the area pending further examination.
The salvage operation, overseen by UK-based TMC Marine, had commenced in early May 2025 and was expected to span 20 to 25 days. The project involved the deployment of one of Europe’s most powerful maritime cranes, the HEBO Lift 10, to facilitate the complex recovery process. The operation’s suspension allows for a thorough investigation into the incident and provides time for the salvage team to mourn the loss of their colleague.
The sinking of Bayesian, a vessel deemed “unsinkable” by its builder Perini Navi, has prompted ongoing investigations into potential negligence. Italian prosecutors are examining the actions of the yacht’s captain and two crew members for possible culpability in the incident. The recovery of the yacht is anticipated to offer critical insights into the factors that led to the tragedy, including whether human error or structural failures contributed to the rapid sinking.
The suspension of the salvage operation underscores the inherent risks involved in deep-sea recovery missions and the importance of stringent safety protocols in such endeavours.
