superyacht in plymouth

Billionaire banker's £650k-a-week superyacht arrives in Plymouth

• West Country
• Wednesday 12 May 2021 at 11:04am

Watch: Russian billionaire's superyacht in Plymouth (credit: BPM Media).

A superyacht owned by a Russian billionaire banker has arrived in Plymouth after it was spotted off the coast of Cornwall.

The Cloudbreak yacht, which is 75 metres long and costs more than £650,000-a-week to charter, has been pictured in Plymouth Sound.

It was first spotted in Falmouth Harbour on Sunday (9 May).

Owned by Russian billionaire Alexander Svetakov, the luxurious vessel boasts six staterooms, a helipad and a pool.

It also comes with six guest cabins, a "huge wellness centre", several balconies and a "winter garden" on the bridge deck.

It even has an "eagle's nest" observation tower.

SuperYachtsMonaco describes her as “the ideal luxury yacht for modern explorers", adding "she's equipped for epic adventures in the most remote destinations!”

Launched in 2016, she sleeps 12 and operates in Northern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Charter customers have no fewer than 22 crew at their service.

Staff can deliver a selection of beauty treatments, massage, acupuncture or personal training sessions.

Cloudbreak also comes with an “extensive selection of water toys” - including jetskis, kayaks and surfing gear.

Named after a famous surfing reef in the South Pacific, it was built by the German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen in 2016.

It is available to rent for £671,887 per week.

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Did you know?

From their beginnings in 1965, over 17,000 Princess Yachts have been manufactured. Now, they build an amazing average of 270 yachts a year. This means that every few days another yacht is completed which is incredible!

Over 21 miles of cable go into a 40 M yacht. If you laid the cable along the road, it would take you all the way from Plymouth to Totnes.

In the furniture factory, the team processes 500 sheets of wood a day. The sheets of walnut or oak are produced in Holland and the trees they are taken from are hand-chosen for Princess.

Around 7 times each month, roads in Plymouth are closed between 2.30am – 4.30am so the yachts can be pulled around the roundabouts and down streets in the wrong direction!

The biggest boat has only 13 mm height clearance under the Marsh Mills flyover and in warm weather the tyres need to be deflated to make it under and through.

Princess Yachts own 4 police cars which are driven by police officers (on non-emergency duty) to escort the boats during the early morning moves.

Princess Yachts

Princess Yachts are famous for building some of the world’s finest and most luxurious yachts, which they manufacture at their  5 different sites in Plymouth and sell all over the world.  The company is extremely proud of their Plymouth heritage – their logo includes the words “Crafted in Plymouth”. 80-85% of everything you see on a Princess Yacht has been made in-house by the company’s Plymouth teams.

“Where there’s warm weather and water, you will find Princess Yachts. There’s always a carefully crafted part of Plymouth floating around some of the most beautiful places in the world”   Antony Sheriff, Executive Chairman, Princess Yachts

Princess Yachts is also honoured to be the first luxury yacht manufacturer to officially partner with the Marine Conservation Society. Since 2016 they have worked together to support marine environments, preserving reefs and sea life for present and future generations.

Typical job roles include: Marine Engineering, Fabrication/Welding, Carpentry, Computer Aided Design,Composites, HR, Learning and Development and Finance

Apprenticeships: Princess Yachts has a variety of four year apprenticeship courses available each year including; Marine Engineering, Carpentry/boat building, CAD Development, Fabricating and Welding, Business Administration, HR, Finance, IT and Composites. Find out more about the company’s Apprenticeship Scheme below in the Get to Know Princess Yachts section.

Princess look for potential apprentices with the right attitude, the right qualities and the desire to fulfil their potential – people who can stand out from the crowd and deliver the high standards of quality and service expected in the luxury yacht business. Applicants need to be dedicated, eager to learn, and keen to combine hands on work with study in their own time.

University Placements  are available in the CAD department.

Graduate Programme : Princess Yachts also offers a graduate programme for those who are leaving university, with opportunities in Accountancy and Finance, Business Operational Management, Commercial, Sales, Human Resources, Naval Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marketing and Communications, Development

Princessyachts.com

3000 Employees Worldwide

5 Plymouth Manufacturing Sites at Stonehouse, Coypool, South Yard, Langage, Lee Mill.

Distributors in over 100 countries.

Get to Know Princess Yachts

Princess yachts apprenticeship scheme (section 1 of 2).

Princess works in partnership with the South Devon Marine Academy which has a dedicated Princess Yachts workshop, equipped with a V40 hull where apprentices can learn skills in all aspects of the business, offering a truly immersive experience.

The Scheme offers a mix of classroom-study with practical work and real experience and gives participants the chance to work with world-class boat-builders and other professionals who are passionate about passing on their knowledge.

The first year of the apprenticeship programme, is undertaken at South Devon College where apprentices complete additional marine qualifications such as RYA Powerboat Level 2, RYA Sea Survival, RYA VHF Radio Operators Licence and RYA First Aid as well as taking part in off water activities.  SEE NEXT SECTION FOR MORE INFO…

PRINCESS YACHTS APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME (Section 2 of 2)

In the third week of an apprenticeship, the apprentices can undertake a week long residential programme at Heatree, Exeter with activities such as canoeing, rock climbing and abseiling to learn new skills including team working, self-motivation and leadership.

Apprentices’ are also taken to the Southampton Boat Show where they enjoy attending the Princess Yachts stand to really help them grasp the bigger picture and understand the exceptional global luxury brand that they are now part of.

After their first year is completed, each Apprentice is assigned to work at one of Princess Yachts’ five sites around Plymouth where they will be fully trained in their specialism.

Find out more about the Apprenticeship Scheme here

LUXURY MOTOR YACHTS AND SUPER YACHTS

Princess Yachts craft a range of highly developed luxury yachts, which are said to be the envy of the yacht manufacturing and retail community.

At 40 metres long, the Princess 40M is the company’s largest yacht to date and is classed as a super-yacht. It has the luxury price tag of £18 million! Across the yacht’s three decks, there are sunbathing hideaways, a spa bath, dining areas and even a walk-in beach club.

Click here to take a 360 tour of the Princess 40M and see the amazing craftsmanship of the Plymouth yacht building teams.

The M Class super-yachts are constructed in one of Plymouth’s most historically important areas at South Yard, which is a former naval yard dating back to the 17th century and where the city’s dockyard originally began.

CAREFULLY DESIGNED INTERIORS

As you can see here, the Y85 caters for relaxation as well as speed. The flybridge has a fantastic deck for enjoying the sights and sounds of the ocean and marinas while the saloon creates an elegant space for seating and dining.

There is a careful design process for every element of a Princess Yacht. Each newly designed yacht goes through a Mock-Up stage. This is a one-to-one scale replication of the final yacht to test exactly how the new layout works, to check head heights, door way functionality, and how the furniture and materials will feel in the space. You can watch a film about the Mock-Up Stage here.

NEW PERFORMANCE SPORTS YACHTS

The R Class is the brand new range of performance sports yachts by Princess. The R35 pictured here, is a revolutionary yacht which was designed in conjunction with Ben Ainslie Racing Technologies (yes – Ben Ainslie – one of the most successful Olympics sailors of all time!) and legendary Italian car designers, Pininfarina.

This yacht can reach a top speed of 50 knots. Only the fastest swimming fish in the world could keep up with the R Class yachts.

To confuse the eye and help conceal its design until its official launch, the prototype R35 was actually covered in dazzle camouflage which was created by Plymouth College of Art student, Katie Sheppard. Take a look at the sea trial of the prototype R35 in its dazzle camouflage design here.

SEE INSIDE PRINCESS

If you would like to see more inside Princess Yachts, watch some of their manufacturing processes, find out how the yachts are tested on water and understand the company’s amazing history and craftsmanship – visit the Princess Yachts webpage here  “Inside Princess” and scroll down to watch their interesting video.

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Princess X95 motor yacht hits water in Plymouth

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Written by Eva Belanyiova

Luxury yacht builder Princess Yachts has launched its first superyacht X95 on the 13th February, showcasing the striking new long-range model of the Super Flybridge yacht series with a modern, innovative design by Italian Pininfarina with naval architecture by the Olesinski studio.

Princess X95 superyacht launched in Plymouth – Photo © Princess Yachts

The x95 project was first unveiled about a year ago at the 2019 Boot Dusseldorf boat show and now is ready for final outfitting follow her launch last week. The yacht was designed with functionality in mind, offering her owner and guest unprecedented comfort and plenty of areas to relax on deck. She has 10% more outdoor space and 40% more indoor areas than an average motor yacht of her size. Her Super-Flybridge is almost 22 metres long, which is twice as long as a typical flybridge on a yacht of this size. The new hull also incorporates the deep-V concept which offers 15% more efficiency, as well as stability under all sea conditions.

Princess X95 running

Powered by two MAN V12 1900 mph Diesel engines, X95 reaches a top speed of 26 knots and has a cruising speed of 24 knots.

Fantastic expansive flybridge with plenty of space to relax

At the moment it is unknown whether this yacht will be available for charter, please contact our team for more information.

READ MORE ABOUT X95 | ENQUIRE

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Princess X95 motor yacht hits water in Plymouth".

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Plymouth Princess Motor Yacht Sales

Turnchapel Wharf Barton Road Turnchapel Plymouth PL9 9RQ

Tel: +44 (0) 1752 600657 Fax: +44 (0) 1752 893070 E-Mail: [email protected]

Discover our New & Pre-owned uk boats for sale and yacht service facility lying on the beautiful Devonshire coastline, in Turnchapel Plymouth.

The South Devon coast is considered to be some of the best coastline not only in the UK, but worldwide. With its picturesque bays, quaint seaside towns and villages, and its pristine water – this area, if within reach, should be on your travel bucket list.

Dramatic cliffs and rocky faces distinguish the coastline of South Devon; it is varied and forever-changing through the seasons, so there is always a time to come and explore. The main towns include Seaton, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Torquay, Dartmouth and Salcombe – we regularly host annual rendezvous to Salcombe and Dartmouth with local Princess owners each summer, where we come together to enjoy each other’s company in some of the most beautiful settings.

Based in Turnchapel Wharf on the waterfront, a former Royal Marines military installation steeped in naval history, lies our Princess office and showroom. In this modern purpose-built facility, we can offer our owners a bespoke service no matter the query – buying or selling your yacht, upgrading features on board, general maintenance and servicing, and such close proximity to the stunning Devonshire coastline makes this the ideal spot for sea trials.

Ideally located in Plymouth, just a short trip away from the Princess Yachts Newport Street factory, lies the home of Princess Motor Yacht Sales in the south-west. Here, we have an impressive custom-built sales and service showroom.

Specialists in UK boats for sale and more… – New Boat Sales – Pre-owned Sales – Brokerage – Service / Aftersales / PDI / Retrofit – Local events for Plymouth-based customers and further afield

Our showroom facility has on offer a range of the most innovative and up-to-date technology available through our Retrofit team , who are also conveniently based in Plymouth to talk through your yachting needs. From a brand-new Princess yacht being delivered from the factory, through to the rigorous onboard inspection, to the final handover and ongoing maintenance; the journey of your Princess yacht can take place all under one roof.

Our sales team in Plymouth, led by Richard Clarke, our sales manager in the South West, are in a prime location to sell the dream to customers. With a beautiful setting on their doorstep and the very best product for sale, there is arguably no better place to be in the UK than on the South West coastline. Being so close to Princess Yachts Limited has its advantages; there is no other distributor in the world who has access to the full range of Princess yachts never mind being able to moor them outside their front door or see them in build in the factory.

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July 4th 2021 will see the introduction of a brand new offshore race from the Royal Western Yacht Club which will run in opposite years to the Original Lonely Rock Race. The ‘Plymouth Lonely Rock Race’ will start in Plymouth Sound, exit via the Western Entrance of Plymouth Sound, round the Fastnet Rock to port, pass the Isles of Scilly...

The MailASail OSTAR & TWOSTAR Race

The Royal Western Yacht Club is pleased to announce the new start date of 9th May 2021 for the MailASail OSTAR and TWOSTAR race. The next edition is set to be the 16th OSTAR and 7th Edition of the TWOSTAR race. With 8 months to go, the Royal Western Yacht Club would like to formally invite all past competitors and...

Shortened course for the Club’s ‘Lonely Rock Race’.

Based on a strong weather pattern showing a cold front expected on Wednesday following the merging of two low systems Southwest of Ireland and a low pressure of 973mb by Thursday 1200UTC, with a potential average wind of 35-40 knots and 4-5m seas, the decision has been made to shorten the course. The turn will now be Wolf Rock, which...

Autumn Series

Our Autumn Series starts on Sunday 6th September, with classes for IRC, NHC and VPRS. Follow the link here for more information https://rwyc.org/autumn-series/

Opening Hours/Covid Precautions

We are delighted to inform members that our club has now re-opened. Initially the club will be open for the following times and we are hoping to extend our offering as the weeks progress and will publish details as this happens: Tuesday: 0900 – 1700 Wednesday: 0900 – 2200 Thursday: 0900 – 1700 Friday: 0900 – 2200 Saturday: 1200 –...

Celebrating 60 Years of OSTAR

Today (Thursday 11th June 2020) we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the start of the first OSTAR race from Plymouth in 1960. To learn more on the history of this historic Transatlantic Yacht race follow the links or watch the video below. History of the OSTAR race Relive the first OSTAR race

The Royal Western Lonely Rock Race – Update

Entry closing date extended to 24th July, qualifying by 7th August. The Royal Western Yacht Club is very pleased to announce the new closing date, now extended to Friday 24th July. We are also pleased to announce the extended qualification date of the 7th August. In light of continuing COVID 19 adaptions, The RWYC is still working to keep the...

RWYC Policy On Reintroducing Racing After Covid 19

General RWYC is aware of the responsibilities imposed on it by the current pandemic and will not act in any way to promote or encourage anyone to take part in activities that break Government instructions or advice. The club will also follow the guidance issued by the RYA, which covers the many issues with returning to boating in general. The...

Spectra Watermakers partnering with the RWYC Lonely Rock Race

The RWYC Lonely Rock Race is pleased to announce Spectra Watermakers as our new partner for the Royal Western Yacht Club Lonely Rock Race.   Chris Arscott – Commodore of the Royal Western Yacht Club said: “again, we are very pleased to see a pioneering manufacturer supporting the Lonely Rock Race. We are highly aware of the damage that single...

TWOSTAR 21 Entrants Confirmation – Charlene Howard & Asia Pajkowska

Welcome Charlene Howard who is our first skipper to re-confirm her entry for the TWOSTAR 21. Charlene entered on Sunday 10th May which was also American Mothers Day. Charlene’s mom sadly passed away recently and this race will be in memory of her mom who was a keen sailor accompanying Charlene on many trips. Charlene’s co skipper will be Asia...

The Royal Western Lonely Rock Race Update

The RWYC Lonely Rock Race is scheduled to start on Sunday August 16th. Despite the current restrictions, work is continuing on all organisational aspects of the race, and the race team remain committed to running the event if at all possible. Chris Arscott – Commodore of the Royal Western Yacht Club said: “We are fully aware of the current situation...

MailASail 2021 OSTAR TWOSTAR

The Royal Western Yacht Club of England announce the rescheduling of their MailASail OSTAR TWOSTAR that was postponed in 2020 due to the Covid 19 virus, to a new date of May 9th 2021. We are extremely grateful to our title sponsor MailASail who will continue to support us for this rescheduled event. The 2021 race will continue to run...

B&G Announced as LRR Race Partners

It is with great pleasure that the Royal Western Yacht Club is able to announce ‘B&G’ as our Race Partners for the Lonely Rock Race. “We are delighted to be partnering with this event, B&G has been helping sailors race from Cowes around the Lonely Rock and back to Plymouth since 1955, it has been a big part of our...

Club Closes Temporarily

Due to the current Government Guidelines on dealing with COVID-19, the Club’s Transition Group has decided today to close the Club to members and guests until further notice. The AGM which had been set for 24th April is postponed until the autumn, subject to review in the interim. The Club Secretary will attend on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during normal working...

MailaSail 2020 OSTAR/TWOSTAR Postponed

Today the RWYC have taken the decision to postpone the MailASail OSTAR TWOSTAR 2020 until next year. The Coronavirus difficulties in each country have made the race impossible to continue with safely. The race will be run instead in 2021. Since this will require compliance to the latest edition of Word Sailing OSRs for Cat 1 yachts, there will be...

Lonely Rock Race – Entry Fee Update

Since November 2019 the RWYC have been working tirelessly to pull the ‘Lonely Rock Race’ together. Thanks to all those volunteers involved, we have come a long way in a very short space of time. It is with great excitement that we can now share some news. We have managed to secure a number of backers, partners and sponsors for...

Sailing Programme 2020 -click to enlarge

Here is our Sailing Calendar for this year, packed with something for everyone. Whether you like racing around the Cans or fancy a bigger challenge like our new Lonely Rock Race, there’s something here for you!

RWYC Lonely Rock Race 2020 – Entries Now Open!

The Royal Western Yacht Club of England in Plymouth is excited to announce the RWYC ‘Lonely Rock Race’ 2020. In association with The Royal Victoria Yacht Club, this biennial Race will start from the vicinity of Ryde in the Eastern Solent. The course will leave the Isles of Scilly to Port, round the Fastnet Rock to Port, pass the Isles...

Captions please..

We think this is a brilliant photo of Club members Robert Fletcher and Roger Irvine manning our safety boat for a recent event, and we would like a fitting caption to accompany it. Suggestions please (clean ones only) to [email protected]  There will be a prize for the best one.

OSTAR entrant pops in!

OSTAR 2020 competitor Tom Amory visited the club last week, seen here at the bar with (l to r) Neil Dunkley, Tom, Committee member Iain Smith, Commodore & Race Director, Chris Arscott. Tom has just completed a transatlantic trip to deliver his boat to Queen Anne’s Battery in advance of next year’s OSTAR. We were delighted to welcome him to...

The British Keelboat League Results – 20/21 July

We were delighted to have hosted the British Keelboat League last weekend (20/21st July).  11 boats made up a  very competitive fleet, who were treated to champagne sailing conditions and top quality race management. RESULTS: PLEASE NOTE:  RTYC were 2nd and SSC were 3rd overall on count back. Established in 2016, the BKL was introduced with the aim of increasing...

OSTAR entrants visit Club

Last week we had a visit from some of the sailors that have just finished the AZAB and are now preparing for the OSTAR TWOSTAR 2020. From left to right – Rupert Holmes, Neil Dunkley (RD OSTAR TWOSTAR), Kass Schmitt, Jesse, Ertan Beskärdes and Susie Goodall.

Conrad Humphreys regrets the TRANSAT move to France

In an interview published in Tip and Shaft, Conrad Humphreys expressed his disappointment at the move of the Transat start to France.  The Transat was part of Plymouth’s 400th anniversary celebration of the sailing of the Mayflower. It was to link Plymouth to Charleston which in turn is due to celebrate its 350th anniversary and its links to England. Some...

OSTAR and TWOSTAR remain in Plymouth

The Royal Western Yacht Club of England, the organizing authority of the OSTAR and TWOSTAR confirms that it will again run its transatlantic races in 2020 as it has done every four years since the first race in 1960.  These Races from Plymouth to Newport Rhode Island will continue to be sailed as originally envisaged by Cockleshell hero Blondie Hasler,...

PRESS RELEASE – 01/05/19

Worldwide Entries and Interest for the OSTAR and TWOSTAR 2020   It is now only a year until The Royal Western Yacht Club of England celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first OSTAR (The Original Single Handed Transatlantic Race), this being the first organised singlehanded transoceanic race.   2020 is 16th edition of the OSTAR and the 7th edition of the...

OSTAR competitor pops in!

OSTAR competitor Ertan Beskardes visited the club today ahead of the race next May. He’s currently in Plymouth preparing for the AZAB race which starts on 1st June this year. Ertan (the tall one) is seen here with Neil Dunkley, Race Director, Iain Smith, Assistant Race Director and Vianney Searle, PR & Marketing Executive.

Crewing Opportunity

For those wishing to take part in the Triangle Race there is an opportunity to crew onboard yacht Gem, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40.3! The Triangle Race is a 3 day race, sailing from Plymouth to Falmouth, Falmouth to Fowey and then Fowey to Plymouth.   For more information please contact [email protected].

Plymouth Race Week

Due to the various clashes with other events, out of the area, we have decided that this year’s PRW will concentrate on the MOCRA Nationals only. We will therefore not be running any racing for other yachts over that period. With the 2020 celebrations next year, we will have an opportunity to run something along the same lines as had...

First entry for Mocra Nationals

We’ve have received our first entry to the MOCRA Nationals being held in May. Hissy Fit ( GBR 788M) a Dazcat 1495 is the first to enter!    

Cruising Dinner

The Cruising Dinner was a great success! With a very interesting talk about Isobel and Bob’s Joce’s cruising in Greece as they came close to a ‘real life’ humanitarian experience! It was a really enjoyable evening, Great talk,  Photo Quiz  and delicious food (and drink) too! This year the prestigious Drake Trophy was awarded to Mo Joce, this trophy is...

Club Member wins UPYC Open Match Racing Event

Six teams competed at the weekend for the University Yacht Club Open Match racing event. Strong winds on Saturday meant the first day was cancelled but Sunday saw a fabulous day of sailing with a real mixture of weather conditions! The event was won by club member Ben Dodwell and his team. Well done Ben! Results: 1st: Dan Ellis &...

VPRS to replace Port Handicap

Get your local rating – quickly! Following feedback from the Sailors’ Forum, RWYC has decided to adopt VPRS as a replacement for the Port Handicap. This will take effect from the 1884 series and will be used for the Triangle race. Those boats sailing under IRC ratings are not affected, but are encouraged to also seek a VPRS rating enabling...

OSTAR – First lady entry for 2020!

We are delighted to be able to announce that we have today received our first lady OSTAR entry! To coincide with International Women’s Day, OSTAR veteran Kass Schmitt has entered with her Humphreys designed yacht, ZEST. This is the 8th entry for this iconic race which starts on Sunday May 10th 2020.

Burns Night

80 people attended our Burns Night celebrations on Friday 25th January.   We were treated to a three course feast to include cock-a-leekie soup, haggis and traditional Scottish dessert, cranachan. The haggis was piped in by our piper, Keith Lacey-Nichols and we were entertained by Master of Cermonies, Paul Foran who gave the Ode to the Haggis. Our Vice Commodore,...

7th OSTAR entry received!

We have today received our seventh entry for OSTAR 2020! Markus Moser from Switzerland has entered with his Luffe Yacht 45 – LIFGUN. Entrants so far: Peter Bourke – RUBICON – Outbound 44 Mervyn Wheatley – ARETHUSA of YEALM – Bowman 40 Richard Lett – VELOCITY GIRL – Koopmans 32 Krystain Szypka – HALLELUJAH – Delphia 46DS Ertan Beskardes –...

Royal Western Members Walk

Today was the Second club Thursday walk,-  14 people and 3 well behaved dogs attended.  The weather was good, although cold it was sunny and dry,  and the views glorious, we walked approx 4 miles past Vixen Tor, Pew Tor and made our way back to the car park at the top of Peak Hill. We then drove to the...

Mervyn Wheatley enters 2020 OSTAR

Mervyn Wheatley has confirmed his entry for the 60th anniversary edition of the Original Singlehanded Transatlantic Race (OSTAR) departing Plymouth for Newport, Rhode Island, on the 10th May, 2020. This race celebrates the anniversary of the first OSTAR sailed in 1960, a race conceived by Cockleshell hero Blondie Hasler and run by the Royal Western Yacht Club of England (RWYC),...

Royal Western Members Winning Streak

It’s been a brilliant summer with great racing results for some Royal Western members. The RWYC triumphed at the Trebeurden Race. Club member Dan Flanagan with his Mumm 36 Sunburst, and member Adam Littlejohn with his Jeanneau 36.2 Flying Colours, came top in the IRC and PHN classes. Member Andrew Sinclair won the RORC Commodore’s Cup as part of the...

OSTAR & TWOSTAR 2020

Sprint 15 Traveller

Classic boats leave Plymouth in a blaze of sunshine!

Over 30 classic boats set sail for La Rochelle at the start of their race on Saturday morning. The committee boat manned by RWYC volunteers started their race in light conditions and glorious sunshine. 

La Rochelle Classics

  Every 2 years, this great race revived by Yacht Club Classique, brings together an exceptional fleet of classic yachts to race across the Channel and along the Atlantic coast of France. The first race in 2012 was a great success with 18 boats entered, and that success has continued with the 2014 and 2016 editions with 45 boats entered...

Cariberia wins

Cariberia (Stephen and Peter Card/Max Pachot) crossed the finish line at the RWYC Clubhouse just after three this afternoon to take line honours and win the 2018 Round Britain and Ireland Race. They had spent the last two days battling with Hissy Fit (Simon and Matt Baker) in very light winds, with the lead changing hands as they went along. Finally Cariberia caught the wind and finished three quarters of an hour ahead of Hissy Fit. Cariberia’s win is especially significant because they are the only boat to sail the complete RB&I course. The remaining boats decided while in Castlebay that, having suffered slow speeds on the first two legs and faced with further weather enforces delays, they would continue on a shorter course omitting St Kilda and Muckle Flugga.

Start of the Round Britain and Ireland Race

The Competitors had perfect weather for the start of the 14th Round Britain and Ireland Race. Father Sam Philpott fired the starting gun at 1200 and the Competitors followed by many spectator yachts made their way to the Plymouth Breakwater and on to Kinsale, a moderate north easterly wind sped them on their way. The EDGE arrived in Kinsale this...

Round Britain & Ireland Race

Update from Lerwick: The Class 40, CARIBERIA, survived sailing around Muckle Flugga whilst storm Hector howled around them, later describing the journey as ‘awful’. They arrived in Lerwick on Friday evening looking surprisingly well rested. Unfortunately for the Lerwick Race Port Officer and Race Director neither CARIBERIA’s Tracker nor AIS was working. After rounding Muckle Flugga they attempted to shelter...

Yacht Club Porto Rotondo

Club members Mr & Mrs Evans have recently visited the Yacht Club Porto Rotondo in Italy, they were delighted to exchange burgees with the clubs president Roberto Azzi. We are pleased to say we now have reciprocal club arrangements with the Yacht Club Porto Rotondo!

South West Commodores Challenge Cup

Royal Western Yacht Club defends title against teams from across the South West The South West Commodores Challenge Cup was launched 2 years ago by the Royal Dart Yacht Club, a friendly competition between Yacht Clubs, racing under IRC with teams of 3 boats. Racing in Start Bay it was the Royal Western team who took first place to take...

Motor Boat Trips

On Thursday, 10th May, the first RWYC Monthly Motorboat outing of the year took place.  Artemis took a crew of 7 on a round trip from QAB in mainly sunny weather. Once out of the sound and despite a little breeze, the sea was surprisingly choppy with 1.5 metre waves. Calm up the Yealm, we passed David Southwood’s Summerbird showing...

Drake Trophy 2018

The Drake Trophy was presented to club member David Southwood at the club’s AGM on Friday 28th April. This presentation was made in recognition of his outstanding cruising achievement during his transatlantic attempt and subsequent detour to the Azores and back to Plymouth. Well done David – seen here with the Commodore and the outgoing Vice Commodore!

On 25th May this year the Data Protection law in the UK will undergo some significant changes with the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (commonly referred to as the GDPR).  In response to this change the Club has published an updated data policy, please click here to view.

Conrad Humphreys joins the OSTAR 2020 as Race Ambassador

Plymouth yachtsman Conrad Humphreys has joined the OSTAR 2020 team as ‘race ambassador’. Conrad competed in the TRANSAT in 2004 onboard the Open 60 Hellomoto before going on to finish 7th in the Vendee Globe race. He recently completed a remarkable feat of navigation as he piloted a 23ft open boat 3600 miles through the Pacific over 60 grueling days...

Cruising Workshop

The Cruising Workshop went well with 30-35 sailors, planning ‘to boldly go’!  A real pleasure to meet the visiting yachtsmen too! A huge thanks must go to Mo Joce and Sue Saunders and their team for organising a very informative (and reassuring) event.. including a delicious buffet! Lots of useful advice and info gained and most importantly… the best restaurants, auberges and...

Safety Harnesses

Members will want to be aware of a safety advisory notice issued by MAIB following a fatal incident in the Clipper Race in which a crew member was lost overboard in spite of being clipped on. The notice can be found at Safety warning on the use of safety harness tethers on sailing yachts – GOV.UK

Prestigious Award For Club Member

RWYC member David Southwood has been awarded the ICC Decanter by the Royal Cruising Club for his own personal challenge in the OSTAR 2017 and his subsequent fight for survival. The decanter was originally presented to the RCC by the Irish Cruising Club in 1989 to be awarded for “a cruise of exceptional merit” and will be presented at the...

Round Britain & Ireland Race 2018

The Royal Western Yacht Club is pleased to announce that the Round Britain and Ireland, two handed race, will start from Plymouth on Sunday 3 June 2018. This will be the 14th running of the legendary four yearly yacht race which was established in 1966 by the Cockershell hero Major Blondie Hasler. The race comprises five legs totalling approximately 2000...

UPYC/UPSPC Christmas Dinner

Over 100 guests attended the University of Plymouth Yacht Club & Sailing Club Christmas Dinner on Friday 1st December. There was plenty on Christmas spirit all around and a good time was had by all, guests included Commodore Charlie Thomson & his wife Babs!

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Breathtaking drone photos show stunning superyacht in Plymouth Sound

Ant Moore took the pictures of the vessel alongside a jack up barge

• 08:07, 13 JAN 2022
• Updated 15:06, 13 JAN 2022

A drone has managed to capture incredible photos of a swish superyacht which has been spotted in Plymouth Sound.

Ant Moore took the pictures of the vessel alongside a jack up barge, the Jug Commander, which has also been seen in the city's waters.

It is thought to be Oceanco superyacht Bravo Eugenia, which according to Superyacht Times , is the 52nd largest in the world.

Read more: Swish superyacht glides elegantly through Plymouth Sound

The Bravo Eugenia was built by Oceanco from the Netherlands, and can accommodate up to 14 guests.

The vessel can also accommodate 30 crew members.

It has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, as well as being powered by two MTU engines.

Superyacht Times writes: "On the ranking of the largest yachts in the world, Bravo Eugenia superyacht is listed as number 52nd. She is the 4th-largest yacht built by Oceanco ."

Here are the incredible photos as well as other pictures submitted of the vessel and the barge.

• The drone operator should hold the appropriate Civil Aviation Authority licences and insurance
• The drone does not directly overfly vessels which are underway and remains at least 150m clear of warships, ferries and all commercial vessels.
• The drone is operated in strict compliance with CAA rules.
• Approval from Longroom Port Control Station (01752 836953/VHF Ch 14) is obtained before filming and launching the drone.
• Longroom Port Control Station is informed once operations are complete.

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Bravo Eugenia

Drone footage has captured the stunning superyacht Bravo Eugenia

Jack up barge

Incredible views from the jack up barge

Incredible views of the jack up barge

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Who was on superyacht that sank off Sicily?

Twenty-two people were on board the Bayesian superyacht including British technology tycoon Mike Lynch, his wife and 18-year-old daughter and Morgan Stanley boss Jonathan Bloomer.

Wednesday 21 August 2024 18:19, UK

Details have emerged of the 22 people on board the superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily.

The British-flagged vessel named Bayesian was carrying 12 passengers and 10 members of crew when it got into difficulty in the early hours of Monday.

Six people are now confirmed to have died, with one still missing. The other 15 people on board were rescued.

Here's what we know about those who were on the yacht.

Follow latest updates on the superyacht sinking

British technology tycoon Mike Lynch was among the original six people missing following the sinking of the yacht, which his family are understood to own.

Raised in Ilford, east London by Irish parents, the 59-year-old made millions with the software company Autonomy he set up in 1996.

He has an estimated net worth of £852m, according to the 2023 Sunday Times Rich List.

Off the back of Automomy's global success, Mr Lynch was given the roles of science adviser to former prime minister David Cameron and non-executive director of the BBC.

The Cambridge maths and sciences graduate sold the firm for £8.64bn to US giant Hewlett Packard (HP) in 2011.

Dubbed the "British Bill Gates", Mr Lynch has been in the headlines in recent months over a high-profile fraud case related to the sale of Autonomy to HP in 2011.

HP accused him of deliberately overstating the value of the company before it was acquired by the American technology firm. Mr Lynch denied any wrongdoing.

In June, a US jury cleared him of all charges .

Read more: Lynch's co-defendant dies days before yacht disaster

Hannah Lynch

Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter Hannah Lynch was also on board the yacht and was among the original six people missing.

She was on holiday with her parents, having secured a place to study English at the University of Oxford, according to reports.

Her former school, Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, west London, said they are "incredibly shocked by the news that Hannah and her father are among those missing in this tragic incident".

Angela Bacares

Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares was on board the yacht and was rescued. She confirmed to Italian media that her husband and daughter are missing.

The 57-year-old said she and Mr Lynch were awoken by the boat "tilting" at 4am - half an hour before it sank.

Jonathan Bloomer

Jonathan Bloomer, the chairman of investment bank Morgan Stanley International, was on board the yacht and was among the original six people missing.

According to the Financial Times, Mr Bloomer appeared as a defence witness for Mr Lynch during his US criminal trial and the pair are believed to be good friends. He also chaired Autonomy's audit committee.

The 70-year-old was the chief executive of UK-Hong Kong insurer Prudential until he was ousted by the board in 2005.

He is also chairman of the insurance provider Hiscox, which confirmed he is missing.

Judy Bloomer

Mr Bloomer's wife Judy was also on board the yacht and was among the original six people missing.

Hiscox said in its statement: "Our thoughts are with all those affected, in particular our chair, Jonathan Bloomer, and his wife Judy, who are among the missing."

Mrs Bloomer is a former board member at The Eve Appeal charity, which focuses on gynaecological cancers.

The charity described her as a "brilliant champion for women's health and medical research... an incredible supporter, committee member, and trustee of our charity for over 20 years".

Read more: 'Alarming' potential cause of superyacht disaster What we know about superyacht that sank

Recaldo Thomas

The yacht's on-board chef Recaldo Thomas died in the sinking.

He was Canadian-Antiguan and part of the crew of the Bayesian.

The Palermo Port Authority had earlier told Canadian broadcaster CBC News his body had been recovered from the wreckage.

Chris Morvillo

US lawyer Chris Morvillo was among the original six people missing from the yacht, his employers confirmed.

The father-of-two worked on Mr Lynch's US fraud trial and is a partner of law firm Clifford Chance's US branch.

Mr Morvillo was assistant attorney for the Southern District of New York between 1995 and 2005 and worked on the terrorist investigation into the 9/11 attacks.

In a recent LinkedIn post, he thanked the legal team that helped win Mr Lynch's trial.

Signing off the post, he said: "And, finally, a huge thank you to my patient and incredible wife, Neda Morvillo, and my two strong, brilliant, and beautiful daughters, Sabrina Morvillo and Sophia Morvillo.

"None of this would have been possible without your love and support. I am so glad to be home. And they all lived happily ever after…."

Neda Morvillo

Mr Morvillo's wife Neda was also on board the yacht and was among the original six people missing.

The 57-year-old has a luxury jewellery brand, which she runs under her maiden name Neda Nassiri.

Her husband's firm Clifford Chance said in a statement: "Our thoughts are with our partner, Christopher Morvillo, and his wife Neda who are among the missing."

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Ayla Ronald

Ayla Ronald, a senior associate at Clifford Chance, survived the yacht disaster, the law firm confirmed.

The 36-year-old worked alongside Chris Morvillo in helping defend Mike Lynch in court.

Clifford Chance said in a statement: "Our utmost priority is providing support to the family as well as our colleague Ayla Ronald, who together with her partner, thankfully survived the incident."

She is originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, but lives in London, her father told local media there.

He said she was left "very shaken" but "she and her partner are alive".

Charlotte Golunski

Charlotte Golunski was on board the yacht and was rescued along with her one-year-old daughter, Sofia.

She spoke to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, confirming she survived the yacht sinking and told how she kept her daughter alive after she was rescued.

"I held her afloat with all my strength, my arms stretched upwards to keep her from drowning," she said.

"It was all dark. In the water I couldn't keep my eyes open. I screamed for help but all I could hear around me was the screams of others."

The 35-year-old is a partner at one of Mr Lynch's firms - Invoke Capital - and has worked there since 2012, according to her LinkedIn profile.

She also worked at Hewlett Packard, which acquired Autonomy in 2011, for 11 months.

Before that, she studied history at the University of Oxford.

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James Emsley

Ms Golunski's partner James Emsley was also rescued from the yacht, according to Sicily's civil protection agency.

The 36-year-old is the father of her one-year-old daughter.

James Calfield

The 51-year-old captain of the yacht spoke to Italian newspaper La Repubblica after he was rescued.

Mr Calfield, from New Zealand, was taken for treatment at the Termini Imerese emergency unit, where he told the newspaper: "We didn't see it coming."

Leah Randall

Leah Randall was part of the Bayesian crew and survived the sinking.

She was pictured going ashore in Porticello on Monday morning and is from South Africa.

Her mother Heidi told Sky News said she was "beyond relieved that my daughter's life was spared by the grace of God".

"It doesn't make it any easier living with the heartache of those who have lost their lives [or are] missing. My very deepest condolences to the chef's family as they formed a great friendship," she said.

Katja Chicken

Katja Chicken was another South African member of crew on board the Bayesian and was pictured being brought to safety in Porticello on Monday.

The Italian coastguard confirmed on Tuesday evening that Leo Eppel, a crew member, also survived the yacht sinking.

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What we know about the sinking of the superyacht off Sicily

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Reporting by Alvise Armellini, additional reporting by Giselda Vagnoni and Josephine Mason in London; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Sharon Singleton

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Deep seas and tight spaces impede search for 6 missing after yacht sinks off sicily.

Andrea Rosa And Nicole Winfield

Associated Press

In this frame grab taken from a footage released by the Italian Firefighters Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, scuba divers on the scene scene of the search for a missing boat, in Porticello, southern Italy. Rescue teams and divers returned to the site of a storm-sunken superyacht Tuesday to search for six people, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch, who are believed to be still trapped in the hull 50 meters (164-feet) underwater. (Italian Firefighters via AP, HO)

PORTICELLO – Police divers resumed searching Tuesday for six people believed trapped in the hull of a superyacht that sank in deep seas off Sicily, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch, who was celebrating his recent acquittal on fraud charges with the people who had defended him at trial.

The luxury sailboat, off Porticello near Palermo, was about 50 meters (164 feet) underwater — far deeper than most recreational divers are certified for and a depth that requires special precautions. Recovery crews could only stay for 12-minute shifts, a measure that slowed efforts to reach the cramped inside of the wreck.

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Divers tag-teamed the shifts and were using a remote-controlled underwater vehicle, or ROV, to help in the search. They hadn't been able to access the below-deck cabins because they were blocked by furniture that shifted during the violent storm that struck the vessel early Monday. Rescue crews said they assume the missing six are in those cabins because the storm struck when most would be sleeping, but the teams haven’t verified their presence there through portholes.

The Bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged yacht, was moored about a kilometer (a half-mile) offshore when a storm rolled in before 4 a.m. Monday. Civil protection officials said they believed the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout, and sank quickly .

Grainy film from closed-circuit cameras from shore, broadcast on the website of the Giornale di Sicilia, showed the majestic, illuminated 75-meter (246-foot) mast of the Bayesian weathering the storm and then disappearing over the course of a minute.

Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived, including a mother who reported holding her 1-year-old baby over the waves to save her. One body was recovered, identified by officials as the Antiguan-born on-board chef. The rest of the 10-person crew survived, including the captain whom prosecutors reportedly sought to interview.

The survivors were rescued by a nearby sailboat after getting into a lifeboat.

Lynch, who was once hailed as Britain’s king of technology, was cleared in June of fraud and conspiracy charges in a U.S. federal trial related to Hewlett Packard’s $11 billion takeover of his company, Autonomy Corp. His wife, Angela Bacares, survived the sinking. Hannah Lynch, the couple’s 18-year-old daughter, is reportedly unaccounted for.

Also unaccounted for are Christopher Morvillo, one of Lynch’s lawyers, and his wife, Neda; and Jonathan Bloomer, a chairman at Morgan Stanley International and the former head of the Autonomy audit committee who testified in Lynch’s defense, and his wife.

Karsten Borner, the captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell, which rescued the survivors, said he was close enough to see the Bayesian as the storm came in.

“A moment later, she was gone,” he said.

“It’s a great, great tragedy,” said Britain’s ambassador to Italy, Edward Llewellyn, who visited Porticello on Tuesday. Britain sent four investigators to the scene, given the disaster involved a British-flagged ship and British citizens were among the missing.

Luca Cari, a spokesman for the rescue teams, said the search was proceeding much more slowly than another big shipwreck in Italy, the 2012 Costa Concordia cruise ship that flipped on its side off Tuscany's coast, because of the depth of the wreck and the limited space divers have to maneuver.

“That was much simpler. Here everything is more tight," he said.

The outing was intended at least in part as a celebration of Lynch’s acquittal and a “looking forward to what was coming next,” said Reid Weingarten, a Washington attorney and a member of Lynch’s defense team who was not on the yacht.

“A lot of people went, a lot of people were planning to go and then, of course, this happened,” Weingarten said.

Weingarten worked with Morvillo and said he “was like a brother.”

Aki Hussain, CEO of international insurer Hiscox Group, where Bloomer was chairman, said the company was “deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic event.”

“Our thoughts are with all those affected, in particular our Chair, Jonathan Bloomer, and his wife Judy, who are among the missing, and with their family as they await further news from this terrible situation,” he added.

Among the survivors, the Emslie family was released from Palermo's pediatric hospital on Tuesday. Charlotte Golunski had reported that she momentarily lost hold of her 1-year-old daughter, Sofia, in the water but then managed to hold her up over the waves until they were both pulled to safety, doctors said.

The father, identified by ANSA news agency as James Emslie, also survived.

“They don't talk much, primarily because they consider themselves survivors and they don't understand why they survived given what they went through,” said Dr. Domenico Cipolla, head of the emergency room at Di Cristina pediatric hospital.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Cipolla said the parents had been in touch with other survivors, who are being housed at a nearby hotel and were waiting for other family members to arrive in Sicily.

The Bayesian, built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, is registered to Revtom Ltd., according to online maritime database Equasis. Bacares, Lynch's wife, is listed as Revtom's sole owner, according to corporate registration documents from the Isle of Man.

According to online charter companies, it had been available for charter for 195,000 euros (about $215,000) a week and was notable for its massive 75-meter-tall (246-foot-tall) aluminum mast, one of the tallest in the world.

The coast guard said to date there was no trace of fuel leaks from the wreckage.

In an unrelated event, Lynch's co-defendant in the Autonomy trial who was also cleared, Stephen Chamberlain, was killed Sunday when he was hit by a car while running in Cambridgeshire, England, said Chamberlain's lawyer, Gary Lincenberg.

Winfield reported from Rome. Associated Press writers Eric Tucker in Washington; and Danica Kirka and Kelvin Chan in London, contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Latest: No one remembers the mast snapping before 56m superyacht Bayesian sunk, says crew

No one recalls seeing the mast snap on board the 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian which sunk yesterday (19 August) off the Italian island of Sicily. The eyewitness account of a crewmember on board the vessel, which was obtained by BOAT International , said that the boat was struck by a freak weather event which led to the yacht heeling at around 20 degrees to starboard. As crewmembers were securing items, the heeling angle began to increase rapidly until the yacht started sinking.

The crewmembers who were up on deck were able to evacuate the yacht with minor injuries. The yacht is understood to have sunk in just twelve minutes, and it is believed that a "major ingress" of water from the top down would have caused the sinking, according to a captain who wishes to remain anonymous. This is based on the fact that no breaches have been reported in the yacht's hull, and the fact that the yacht should have been able to remain afloat with two flooded compartments.

"Very difficult to understand what could have overwhelmed a vessel of that size" says captain of sistership

The captain of the sistership to the sunken 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian has said it is "very difficult to understand what could have overwhelmed a vessel of that size" and called the 56-metre Perini Navi series "bulletproof".

David Hutchinson, captain of Rosehearty , said he had taken the yacht around the world multiple times and he had "total faith in the boat".  "We've been to Antarctica and Chile, and we've had her in 70 knots of wind," he says, and the vessel had never put them in a situation that felt unmanageable.

However, Hutchinson noted there were differences between Bayesian and Rosehearty ; notably, Bayesian's  74-metre mast, which would have been heavier and added increased windage. The yacht's layout was also different, with guest accommodation on Bayesian located further forward.

Who's currently missing in the Bayesian disaster?

The yacht's sinking in Italy has resulted in five confirmed deaths, one of which is understood to be the yacht's chef, and two additional people missing.

The missing individuals are:

• British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, once dubbed 'Britain's Bill Gates'
• Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah
• Morgan Stanley's chairman, Jonathan Bloomer
• Judy Bloomer, wife of Morgan Stanley chairman
• Chris Morvillo, a lawyer working for London-based law firm Clifford Chance
• Neda Morvillo, an American jewellery designer and Chris' wife

It is understood that the yacht was being used to celebrate Lynch's recent victory in a 13-year £8 billion fraud acquittal.

Live updates

• A search and rescue is currently underway for two people missing in the waters off Palermo on the Italian island of Sicily. According to Reuters, four bodies have now been found in the sunken yacht, but their identities have not been revealed. Two people are still unaccounted for. 
• Mike Lynch, a British technology entrepreneur who co-founded Autonomy Corporation and founded Invoke Capital, is among the missing.
• Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, and a one-year-old are among the fifteen people rescued along with Bayesian' s captain, James Cutfield.
• Palermo Coastguard has confirmed the body that has been recovered is that of the yacht's chef.
• Another sailing vessel in the area, the 42-metre Sir Robert Baden Powell ,  is understood to have stepped in to offer assistance in the initial rescue.
• Divers have been able to reach Bayesian' s sunken hull, which lies at 45 metres of depth about half a mile from the coast. The yacht had the largest aluminium masts of any sailing yacht on the water.
• Eyewitnesses in the area reported "hurricane" conditions off the coast but local weather websites did not indicate any severe squall, which suggests that the weather event was not forecast.
• At around 5am local time on 19 August, Bayesian was hit by bad weather and sunk.  The sailing yacht was anchored or idle at the time of the incident.

Built in Italy by renowned builder Perini Navi and delivered in 2008, the yacht's naval architecture was developed by Ron Holland Design while the interior design is by Rémi Tessier . She was formerly known as Salute and was last refitted in 2016. She was listed for sale earlier this year, according to BOATPro . The yacht had accommodation for nine guests and 12 crew.

BOAT International will update the story as it develops.

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Watch CBS News

Divers recover remains from tech mogul Mike Lynch's family's superyacht that capsized off Sicily

By Tucker Reals , Anna Matranga

Updated on: August 21, 2024 / 7:44 PM EDT / CBS News

Divers searching the wreck of a superyacht owned by the family of a British tech mogul that sank Monday off the coast of Sicily in southern Italy were working Wednesday to recover the remains of most of the six people left missing after the accident, Sicily's civil protection agency confirmed to CBS News. Two bodies had been brought to shore in Porticello, near Palermo, and two more were in the process of being brought ashore.

Five bodies have been found, and one person was still missing, reported the AP, as searches concluded for the day. 

Rescue efforts have been challenging because the Bayesian is now lying on the seabed at a 90-degree angle, at a depth of 164 feet.  Divers can only spend 10 minutes at the dive site before having to resurface to avoid decompression sickness, or "the bends."

Britain's Telegraph newspaper reported that the bodies of Mike Lynch, the technology entrepreneur , and his 18-year-old daughter were among the remains recovered Wednesday, but the civil protection chief would not confirm that report to CBS News. 

Six people, including Lynch and his daughter, were left missing after the vessel sank in a violent storm early Monday morning. One man, the Bayesian superyacht's chef, was found dead soon after the boat capsized.

Fifteen passengers and crew managed to escape the accident, including Lynch's wife, who owned the vessel.

Along with Lynch and his daughter Hannah, the technology mogul's American lawyer Chris Morvillo, a former assistant district attorney in New York, his wife Neda, and British banker Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, were also missing.

Lynch was acquitted in June of fraud charges in the U.S. that could have landed him in prison for decades. Lynch's co-defendant in that fraud case, who was also acquitted, died Saturday after being hit by a car while out jogging in England.

Questions have intensified on how the state-of-the-art vessel could have sunk in mere minutes, while boats nearby were largely unaffected.  Vessels of this caliber have numerous safety measures, including watertight sub-compartments designed to keep them from sinking quickly even if taking on water.

Italian prosecutors are questioning the crew and passengers in an effort to reconstruct events, including the ship's captain, 51-year-old New Zealander James Catfield. 

One possible culprit is the ship's keel, a fin-like structure designed to prevent the boat from being blown sideways by the wind, thus giving the boat greater stability.  The Bayesian had a retractable or lifting keel, which could be retracted to 4 meters (useful to enter a shallow harbor) or extended to 10 meters. If the keel had been up, it is possible that fierce winds could have caused the ship to capsize.

When asked whether divers had discovered that the Bayesian's keel was indeed up, a spokesman for the Italian Coast Guard told CBS News that it was up to the prosecutors to answer that question.

• Boat Accident

Tucker Reals is CBSNews.com's foreign editor, based in the CBS News London bureau. He has worked for CBS News since 2006, prior to which he worked for The Associated Press in Washington D.C. and London.

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