BAYESIAN YACHT RECOVERY HALTED AFTER DIVER'S DEATH: POSSIBLE EXPLOSION DURING CUTTING OPERATIONS

PORTICELLO, ITALY • Recovery efforts for the Bayesian superyacht have been suspended following the tragic death of a specialized Dutch diver. Investigations are underway, with preliminary findings suggesting an explosion, possibly caused by hydrogen buildup during oxy-acetylene torch cutting of the boom, led to the fatal incident. This marks the eighth fatality linked to the yacht since its sinking last August.

Porticello, Italy, May 10, 2025 – 4:13 PM – Recovery operations for the Bayesian, the yacht belonging to British magnate Mark Lynch that sank off Porticello (Palermo) on August 19, have been suspended. Nine months after the shipwreck, an eighth victim has tragically died: during the underwater efforts to refloat the yacht, 39-year-old Dutch specialized diver Robcornelis Maria Huijben Uiben lost his life while performing maneuvers on the deep-sea wreck. Investigations are underway to understand what happened, and the Public Prosecutor's Office in Termini Imerese has opened an inquiry and seized the area. According to investigative sources, while the victim and a colleague were attempting to cut the boom with a torch, an explosion may have occurred, caused by the formation of hydrogen bubbles and the action of the oxy-acetylene flame. The blast reportedly caused a piece of metal to detach, striking the diver. TMC Marine, the company in charge of the recovery work, has offered its full cooperation.

What Happened

The diver died during a dive. According to initial reconstructions, he was working with other divers to cut the boom at a depth of 49 meters, a preliminary operation before removing the yacht's distinctive 75-meter mast. After an unsuccessful attempt using wrenches, the diver reportedly descended again with colleagues, carrying a torch – a type of oxy-acetylene flame. Immediately after the cut was made, the boom may have acted as a lever, and some material, possibly a piece of metal, apparently flew off and may have struck the victim. Images of the recovery operations, recorded by underwater cameras, immediately ceased, and rescue efforts were launched.

TMC: "Full Cooperation"

"We are deeply saddened to confirm the tragic death of a specialist diver. The circumstances of the incident are currently under investigation by the authorities, and all involved parties are offering their full cooperation. We are providing every support to the recovery team on site at this heartbreaking time, and our thoughts are with the victim's family," read a statement from the British company TMC Marine, which is carrying out the yacht's recovery. "Work on site for the recovery of the superyacht Bayesian from the seabed off the northern coast of Sicily has been temporarily suspended. This pause is necessary for the completion of investigations and to allow all recovery teams and associated crews to mourn the tragic loss of a highly esteemed diver during yesterday's underwater operations," the statement continued. Marcus Cave, Head of Naval Architecture and Director at TMC Marine, added: "Yesterday's tragedy has affected everyone involved in this project, and the priority right now is the family of this experienced and specialized diver, who was highly respected and loved by everyone involved in the project. This pause in operations will allow for thorough investigations into this tragic incident to be completed. It will also help us to grieve and reorganize ourselves." He concluded: "Offshore recovery operations always involve an element of risk. The recovery team is providing full cooperation to the authorities in their investigations."

Works Suspended

Recovery efforts for the wreck have therefore been suspended indefinitely. The investigation into the diver's death is being conducted by the Palermo Port Authority and is coordinated by Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano of Termini Imerese, who also coordinates the investigation into the yacht's sinking. The diver's body has been taken to the forensic medicine institute at the Policlinico of Palermo, and an autopsy may be ordered in the coming hours. Inspections of the accident site, equipment, and safety measures will also be ordered. The shipwreck claimed the lives of British tycoon Mark Lynch, his daughter Hannah, Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy, Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda, and onboard chef Thomas Recaldo. Fifteen other people survived. From the analysis of the vessel after its recovery, investigators expect answers to resolve the many questions surrounding the shipwreck and to try to determine whether the sinking was caused by a chain of human errors, as initially hypothesized by the Termini Imerese Prosecutor's Office, or if there are other possible leads to follow. Three crew members are currently under investigation on charges of multiple culpable homicides and culpable shipwreck: New Zealand Captain James Cutfield, Chief Engineer Tim Parker Eaton, and sailor Matthew Griffith, who