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A Technological Masterpiece: Feadship’s 91.80m Motor Yacht DRIZZLE Delivered

By Frances Flannagan

Following her sea trials in April, Feadship’s 91.80m DRIZZLE has successfully been delivered to her new Owner. She is the first ever Feadship yacht to carry full hybrid Electric Class notation, emphasising the state-of-the-art nature of the Dutch yard’s technology and marking an important step in its goal of achieving net zero by 2030.

DRIZZLE is the result of a harmonious collaboration between Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects and Sinot Yacht Design, alongside an Owner related design office. Each element of her design has taken into account her Owner’s specific requests, with her interior set to be superbly crafted and meticulously detailed. 

She combines a traditional flared bow with crisp exterior contours, resulting in a modern-classic personality. Cosy spaces dedicated for family use characterise her interior layout despite her considerable volume, with natural materials and finishes permeating throughout.

‘Working with the experienced owner, designers and owners team has been a professional pleasure,’ says Albert Abma, Project Manager at Feadship. ‘Gathering the operational experience of the owners team with the yard’s building experience has resulted in this modern-classic, state-of-art and full custom new Feadship.’

DRIZZLE’s stern has been designed to accommodate an incredibly spacious beach club, occupying one quarter of the total length of the lower deck. The fixed stern platform combines with two fold-down platforms to create an impressive 165 sqm relaxation area at water-level. 

A side-loading garage can be found between the engine room and the beach club, able to house two ten metre tenders, a ski boat and a plethora of water toys. 

The main deck aft hosts a large pool and open-air lounge shaded by the overhang that can be directly accessed from the stern platform via sweeping staircases. Guest suites can be found on the main deck forward, whilst the master stateroom, family lounge and wellness area are situated on the upper decks.

A spectacular observation vantage point with a forward-facing sofa and sun loungers is located on the sundeck, allowing her Owner and guests to fully immerse themselves in the stunning oceanic surroundings.

The standout element of DRIZZLE is a hybrid propulsion system that features state-of-the-art Feadship technology. In addition to standard diesel propulsion mode, the e-motors are also able to work as shaft generators to produce electricity to serve the hotel loads or recharge the battery bank. This feature also allows for low-speed navigation whilst the generators or batteries generate the required electrical power. 

"Gathering the operational experience of the owners team with the yard’s building experience has resulted in this modern-classic, state-of-art and full custom new Feadship." Albert Abma, Project Manager, Feadship

"Gathering the operational experience of the owners team with the yard’s building experience has resulted in this modern-classic, state-of-art and full custom new Feadship."

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Feadship’s 92m superyacht PROJECT 1012 is named as superyacht DRIZZLE while on sea trials

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Written by Rachel Kelly

Superyacht DRIZZLE is Feadship ’s latest project to be seen on sea trials in the North Sea. She is 91.8m hybrid-electric superyacht who was launched in April 2024 and is the shipyard’s first full Hybrid Electric Class yacht. Experienced Feadship collaborators Sinot Yacht Architecture and Design and De Voogt Naval Architects worked closely with the new owner, who is a repeat client.

Luxury yacht DRIZZLE (ex. Project 1012) | image from Feadship

“Working with the experienced owner, designers and owner’s team has been a professional pleasure”, says Albert Abma, Feadship project manager. “Gathering the operational experience of the owner’s team with the yard’s building experience has resulted in this modern-classic, state-of-art and full custom new Feadship”.

Superyacht DRIZZLE (ex. Project 1012) | image from Feadship

The yacht’s masculine exterior profile is characterised by her dark blue hull and white superstructure, which maintains a sense of elegance. The signature deep v-cut bow is balanced by the extended explorer style aft deck which is home to a 165sqm beach club with large pool and fold out terraces. The sundeck serves as an observation vantage point with a forward-facing sofa and sun loungers, while the aft deck is used for storing two rescue tenders.

Motor yacht DRIZZLE (ex. Project 1012) | image from Feadship

Despite her considerable volume, the owner was explicit that the interior should have cosy family spaces and meticulous detailing to create an understated family home on the water. Comfortable guest suites and staff cabins finished to luxury standard are on the main deck forward while the master stateroom, family salon and wellness area are situated on the upper decks.

Preparing for Sea Trials | image from Feadship

Superyacht DRIZZLE’s propulsion plant and energy management has been developed incorporating state-of-the-art Feadship technology. She comprises two main engines and shaft-driven fixed pitch propellers, coupled with PTO/PTI electric motors of 560kW each and 1MWh of Li-ion batteries. The e-motors work as shaft generators to produce electricity to serve the hotel loads or recharge the battery bank while the generators or batteries produce the required electrical power.

She is scheduled for delivery in July 2024.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Feadship’s 92m superyacht PROJECT 1012 is named as superyacht DRIZZLE while on sea trials".

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Spain’s richest man Amancio Ortega is selling beloved superyacht for €76million

SPAIN’S richest man Amancio Ortega is selling his biggest yacht for a cool €76million. 

The Spanish fashion mogul, 85 purchased the 67 meter superyacht, Drizzle, in 2012 for €95million but now wants to upgrade his fleet and purchase a new boat worth a whopping €172million.

The Inditex founder, who has a net worth of €70billion, wants to upsize his boat to make his Mediterranean coastline cruises even more luxurious. 

Lavish yacht Drizzle is now for sale on the website of the Mallorcan company, Hamilton Marine in Puigpunyent, which specialises in luxury sailing.

The interior of the boat offers accommodation for up to 12 people, boasting seven double cabins for its occupants to sleep in.

It also has room for nine crew members and all the luxuries a billionaire could ask for, including a gym, pool, spa and cinema room.

Drizzle weighs 1,276 tons, is 68.77 metres long, has a top speed of 16.5 knots and boasts a teak deck and steel hull.

Inditex, the world’s largest retailer which is controlled by Ortega, recorded a 49% increase in sales to €11.9 billion during the six months to the end of July while it recorded €1.3 billion of profits compared with a €195 million loss last year when lockdowns forced the closure of its shops.

The fashion retailer, which also owns the Pull & Bear, Bershka, Stradivarius and Oysho brands and has 6,654 stores around the world., said that its profits had reached ‘historic highs’ while first-half earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased by 109% to €3.1 billion. 

• Spanish billionaire and Zara founder Amancio Ortega   ranked fifth richest man in the world and second in Europe

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Kirsty Mckenzie

Kirsty is a journalist who has reported on news, entertainment, food and drink, travel and features since 2015. She lives in the south of Spain. Got a story? Email [email protected]

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DRIZZLE Yacht – Prestigious $80M Superyacht

67m DRIZZLE yacht was built by master shipbuilders, Feadship , featuring an exterior design by De Voogt Naval Architects.

The $80 million superyacht was delivered to the experienced yacht owners in 2012, replacing their yacht of the same name.

DRIZZLE yacht interior

Her interior is designed by Redman Whiteley Dixon , with a comfortable and homely style. She can accommodate ten guests in a master suite, three double staterooms, and a twin cabin.

The outdoor spaces of the DRIZZLE yacht offer al fresco dining and a spacious sun deck for relaxation and rejuvenation. Across three decks, there are multiple spaces for leisure and entertainment.

She features a deck jacuzzi and a deck that wraps around the yacht. There are three seating and lounging areas across the yacht.

In 2019, a full-length swim platform was fixed to the DRIZZLE yacht with a shower and a swim ladder. The crew quarters are impressive and include a separate and fully enclosed lounge and crew mess.

The owner was particularly concerned for the crew’s welfare and insisted on high-quality finishing to optimize their comfort.

Feadship De Voogt Naval Architect penned the exterior design and naval architecture of the DRIZZLE. The low profile of the DRIZZLE yacht enhances the contemporary lines of the yacht.

She was built by Feadship in their Aalsmeer shipyard in the Netherlands, featuring a steel hull, teak decks, and aluminum superstructure.

Feadship delivered DRIZZLE in 2012, and she was last refitted extensively in 2019.

Specifications

The DRIZZLE yacht has a length of 67m, a beam of 11.2m, and a draft of 3.65m. She has a volume of 1274 gross tons, and 2 MTU engines drive her through the water.

She maintains a cruising speed of 11 knots and a top speed of 16 knots, with a range of 4500 nautical miles.

She is built to Lloyds Register classification society rules and is MCA Compliant. DRIZZLE has a $5 – $8 million running cost per year.

Drizzle Yacht Summary

DRIZZLE yacht represents the epitome of elegance and comfort on the open seas. Built by Feadship and featuring an exterior design by De Voogt Naval Architects, this magnificent vessel boasts a contemporary and welcoming interior styled by Redman Whitely Dixon.

With accommodations for ten guests across five luxurious cabins, including a master suite and multiple leisure and entertainment spaces spread across three decks, the DRIZZLE offers the perfect balance of relaxation and rejuvenation.

The yacht’s exterior design showcases sleek lines and a low profile, enhancing its modern appeal. Built with meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, the DRIZZLE stands as a testament to the owner’s commitment to quality and comfort.

With its impressive specifications, including a cruising speed of 16 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles, the DRIZZLE is ready to embark on unforgettable journeys across the seas.

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By SuperyachtNews 23 Sep 2021

MONACO YACHT SHOW 2023

Flood of enquiries expected for superyacht Drizzle

Drizzle placed on the market for the first time, a year earlier than planned….

Hamilton Marine shares a brokerage update

Hoping to ride the wave of a superyacht boom, 68.77-metre De Vries Aalsmeer-built Feadship Drizzle has been placed on the sales market for the first time. 

Hamilton Marine’s Jonathan Syrett is the Central Agent, “Over my long career as a yacht broker - 36 years and counting - I have sold two yachts belonging to the same owners. They enjoyed many good times onboard their previous 55.47-metre Feadship, also named Drizzle, but decided the time had come to upsize and returned to the Dutch shipbuilder to create a one-off motor yacht that reflected their character and lifestyle. What started with a blank page, became a contemporary yet classic, modern yet comfortable, low-profile tri-deck superyacht delivered in May 2012.” 

The idea was to bring Drizzle to market in 2022 but, with 2021 set to go down in history as the best year ever for global superyacht sales, the owners decided to advance the process. In general, the global pandemic hasn’t dented the wealth of the super-rich and superyachts have been seen as a safe space for restriction-free travel.  

Syrett adds, "Drizzle would suit someone who doesn’t want to join a shipyard’s new-build waiting list, or perhaps a client with a yacht under construction, or indeed a client who is looking for a seamless changeover and wants to enjoy immediate adventures afloat in a handsome home from home. Drizzle is in near-perfect condition and since launch she has been cared for by a highly experienced crew and adoring owners. Thanks to a comprehensive maintenance schedule and repainting in 2019, the yacht looks barely a year old - certainly not one that celebrates her tenth birthday next year.”

Built by Feadhip, Drizzle was designed by De Voogt Naval Architects with interiors by RWD. Her overall length is 68.77 metres, with a beam of 11.20 metres, and she sleeps 12 guests in seven suites, plus 18 crew in nine cabins sharing a generous crew mess and recreation area. Highlights include an open sundeck with three lounge areas and an equipped gymnasium, formal dining for 12 in the main salon, informal dining aft of the bridge deck for ten to 12 guests, and al-fresco dining for 12 on the main deck. 

A full-width swim platform was added in the 2019 refit, with shower and retractable self-washing swim ladder.  Drizzle's tender bay and watersports area are equipped with two 7.5-metre tenders, two Yamaha WaveRunners, three SEABOB F5S, two BIC windsurfers, two BIC kayaks, four sets of Scubapro dive gear, two Hobie SUPs, a trampoline, self-supported slide - and much more. She is powered by twin 2,038hp MTU diesel engines, and has a cruising speed of 11 knots, a maximum speed of 16.5 knots and 5,500NM range at an economy speed of 9 knots.    

Drizzle is priced at €76 million with VAT paid in Malta.  She is available for pre-arranged viewings at anchor on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 September at the Monaco Yacht Show, and thereafter on her berth at Port Hercule. 

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Experts puzzle over why Bayesian yacht sank. Was it a 'black swan event'?

The Bayesian set off on a leisurely cruise around Italy's southern coast on a sunny day in late July.

The luxurious super yacht − which boasted one of the largest masts in the world and carried a crew of business moguls, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his family and a chair of Morgan Stanley − set sail from the Amalfi Coast, bound for Sicily.

Less than a month later, the ship had sunk 160 feet under the water , leaving its cook dead and six of its passengers, including at least two Americans, missing and prompting a massive search that has drawn international attention.

Now, experts are trying to piece together why in the early hours Monday the Bayesian was quickly pulled under the waves amid a storm that saw at least one tornado spin up over the water.

A perfect storm led to Bayesian sinking, experts say

The combination of unlikely factors that could have contributed to the ship's fate constituted a "black swan event," Matthew Schanck, chairman of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, told USA TODAY.

The Bayesian was well-built: A 2008 product of Italian ship maker Perini, it was constructed in accordance with international maritime standards and commercially certified by the U.K.'s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, according to Schanck.

The bout of bad weather that swept the area when the ship went down was also out of the ordinary in the northern Mediterranean, "which isn't renowned for prolonged, significant stormy weather," he said.

"The fact that those two elements have then resulted in the foundering of a super yacht is pretty extraordinary," Schanck said. "These things don't happen every day."

After the ship sank just before 5 a.m. local time, 15 people, including a 1-year-old, were pulled from the water. Some were rescued from a life raft by the crew of a ship docked nearby.

Ricardo Thomas, the ship's cook and a native of Antigua, was found dead, according to authorities.

As of Tuesday, six people were missing, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter. Several missing passengers were involved in Lynch's trial on fraud charges, including Jonathan Bloomer, a Morgan Stanley chair who served as his character witness, and one of Lynch's attorneys. Lynch, accused of fraud after he sold his company to electronics giant Hewlett-Packard, was acquitted of all charges weeks ago.

Who is Mike Lynch? UK entrepreneur among those missing after superyacht sinks off Sicily

Tornado formed over unusually hot water

Storms in the area that night may have whipped up a water spout, a tornado over the water , according to local meteorologists.

It was likely triggered by the water's unusual warmth, said Rick Shema, a certified consulting meteorologist who served in the Navy.

"The water spout was an uncommon occurrence," he said. "But again, these things happen, especially in warmer water."

At 83.7 degrees, water in the area was more than 3 degrees hotter than average on the day the Bayesian sank, likely the result of climate change, Shema said.

"Hurricanes can form at 80 degrees. This was almost four degrees higher than that," he said.

The water spout may have spun up when cooler air dropped from mountainous places nearby onto the hot water, he said. "A water spout is a vortex, basically like a tornado, spinning real fast, sucking up water and moisture as the column rises," he said.

Although water spouts only reach around 120 mph, as compared to tornadoes on land, which can reach up to 300 mph, "you don't need 200 mph to sink a ship," he said.

"Even an average tornado, 120 miles an hour, that's a lot of wind," he said, "which would heel the boat over for sure."

Water spouts spring up suddenly, Shema said. Before they strike, winds can be slow, but "once the water spout comes over, bam, it's on," he said.

Before sunrise, the ship's crew may not have seen the water spout coming. "The visibility was probably a big factor," he said.

With the windows of the yacht opened, as they likely were in the hot weather, the water spout could have triggered water that flooded through the portholes, Shema said, causing the ship to sink.

Tragedy strikes: Scramble to find survivors after Bayesian yacht sinks off Sicily coast

Search continues, but shift to recovery phase approaches

Italian authorities said the Bayesian was probably at anchor when the storm struck, meaning it couldn't maneuver and ride the waves, according to Mitchell Stoller, a captain and maritime expert witness. Other ships in the area that turned on their engines rode out the storm, he said.

"When you're at anchor and you see weather, you start your engine and you put the wind on the bow. You don't let it get on the side," he said.

Schanck said another key question concerns the position of the keel, a heavy weight underneath the boat that acts as a counterbalance to keep it upright, when the ship sank. When lifted, "that's going to affect the stability of the vessel, because, obviously, you've now raised the center of gravity of that vessel," he said.

The Bayesian was floating over 160 feet of water at the time, deep enough that the keel would likely be deployed. But the fact that "the vessel heeled over so heavily makes me question that," Schanck said.

The cause of the disaster may not be known until the ship can be examined in more detail, experts say. Prosecutors in a nearby town have already opened an investigation.

Schanck said investigators will have plenty to work with once the operation moves into a recovery phase.

"The vessel is intact and in good condition on the seabed," he said. "There's a lot of eyewitness accounts from other vessels in the area and the shore."

As the search entered its second day on Tuesday, the rescue effort may shift in that direction soon. "I suspect, later on, today or tomorrow, we'll probably see some mention of a recovery operation being stated," Schanck said.

The decision to would depend on whether rescuers find signs of life in the ship and air pockets or survivable spaces, Schanck said. At this point, survivors on the water's surface looks unlikely. "My professional opinion is that the casualties will be located within the vessel," he said.

"There is a risk versus benefit in all maritime search and rescue incidents," he said. "Where we start transitioning to a recovery phase, that line shifts."

Contributing: Reuters

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

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Who’s Missing From Sunken Yacht? Tech Mogul Mike Lynch and 5 Others.

Mr. Lynch, the former chief executive of the software firm Autonomy, who was acquitted on fraud charges in June, was with friends and family when the yacht went down in a severe storm.

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By Michael J. de la Merced

Michael de la Merced reported on Mike Lynch’s career and legal battles over the course of 13 years across two continents.

A cruise on the Mediterranean Sea aboard a superyacht was supposed to be a celebratory event for the British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch , who was acquitted in June of fraud charges tied to the sale of his company, Autonomy, to the tech giant Hewlett-Packard.

Instead, it turned into a disaster after the yacht, a 180-foot boat called the Bayesian, sank off the coast of Sicily in a violent storm. Of the 22 passengers aboard, 15 were rescued, one body was recovered and six were still missing. Search operations at the site of the sunken yacht were continuing on Tuesday.

Here’s what we know about the passengers.

Mike Lynch and his family

Mr. Lynch, 59, is a British software entrepreneur who had once been described as his country’s Bill Gates. He founded the software firm Autonomy, which analyzed clients’ unorganized data, and turned it into one of the most prominent British technology companies of its time. He became a widely known corporate leader, who advised David Cameron, the British prime minister at the time, and joined the board of the BBC.

In 2011, Mr. Lynch sold Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion, which was far above its market value, earning him hundreds of millions. But HP investors almost immediately soured on the transaction, and the American tech giant quickly fired its chief executive — and then Mr. Lynch.

HP later accused Mr. Lynch of misleading it about the state of Autonomy’s business, setting off a decade-long legal ordeal for the British executive, who denied the accusations. U.S. prosecutors charged him and other executives with fraud, and Autonomy’s chief financial officer was convicted in 2018.

Despite appeals to the British government, Mr. Lynch was extradited to the United States last year and was confined to a townhouse in San Francisco ahead of his criminal trial, which began in March. Facing the possibility of decades in prison if convicted, Mr. Lynch and another colleague were instead acquitted of all charges.

Mr. Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, 57, accompanied him on the yacht, and she was rescued on Monday when it sank. She was a consistent presence at his trial in the United States. Records show that she controlled Revtom, the company listed as the owner of the Bayesian.

Hannah Lynch, Mr. Lynch and Ms. Bacares’s 18-year-old daughter, was also on the yacht and was among those who were still missing.

The other guests

Among those unaccounted for is Jonathan Bloomer, 70, chair of Morgan Stanley’s international arm and the chairman of Hiscox, an insurance provider that trades on the London Stock Exchange. His wife, Judy Bloomer, 71, is also listed as missing.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected, in particular the Bloomer family, as we all wait for further news from this terrible situation,” Morgan Stanley said in a statement.

Christopher J. Morvillo, 59, a New York-based partner at the international law firm Clifford Chance, is also among those missing. A former federal prosecutor who comes from a family of prominent lawyers, Mr. Morvillo represented Mr. Lynch during his criminal trial in San Francisco. His wife, Neda, 57, was with him on the yacht and is also among those confirmed as missing.

“We are in shock and deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” a representative of Clifford Chance said in a statement.

Survivors include Charlotte Golunski, a partner at Mr. Lynch’s venture firm, Invoke Capital; Ms. Golunski’s husband, James Emslie; and their 1-year-old daughter Sophie. Also rescued were Ayla Ronald, a lawyer at Clifford Chance, and her partner, Matthew Fletcher.

The yacht had a crew of 10. The body of the chef, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered from the water, the Sicilian Civil Protection Department said.

Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting, and Kitty Bennett and Susan Campbell Beachy contributed research.

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced

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Who are Mike Lynch and the other people missing after a yacht sank in Sicily?

Bill Chappell

Mike Lynch remains missing after a luxury yacht sank off of Sicily's coast. Lynch, who sold his tech firm Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard in 2011, had recently been acquitted of fraud charges related to the sale. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images hide caption

Search teams are scouring waters along Italy’s southwestern shore, where a luxury sailing yacht sank early Monday. Six people are known to be missing, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter, and Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife.

Faced with the possibility that some people might have been trapped inside the ship when it sank in a storm, dive teams (including cave divers from the local fire brigade) have been looking for ways to enter the vessel.

The Palermo Coast Guard told NPR on Tuesday that such an operation is complicated by the depth and position of the hull, which lies on the seabed at a depth of around 50 meters, about a half-mile from the port in Porticello, Sicily.

Lynch, a mathematician and longtime tech entrepreneur, was on a vacation voyage that apparently doubled as a celebration of his recent acquittal on federal fraud charges in the U.S. At least two members of his legal team were reportedly on the boat.

Here’s what we know about Lynch and the tragic situation off Sicily’s coast: 

A rescue boat of the Italian Coast Guard operates in Porticello near Palermo, on Tuesday, a day after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. Specialist divers launched a fresh search for six people, including U.K. tech tycoon Mike Lynch. Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Who is Mike Lynch?

Lynch, 59, made his name as the founder and longtime leader of Autonomy, a search engine and software company that helped companies manage information. Hewlett-Packard bought Autonomy for $11 billion in 2011, but Lynch then faced accusations — and then federal charges — that he had misrepresented his company’s financial health and prospects. Lynch denied the claims, saying HP was blaming him for its own problems.

Lynch was indicted on multiple fraud and conspiracy counts in late 2018, months after Autonomy’s former chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, was convicted of fraud (he was later sentenced to five years in prison).

Search resumes for British tech magnate and 5 others after yacht sinks off Sicily

Lynch successfully delayed extradition from the U.K. until May 2023 . Earlier this year, the case finally culminated in a lengthy trial in San Francisco that ended with Lynch’s acquittal of all charges against him in June , after he testified on his own behalf.

Also acquitted was Stephen Chamberlain, Autonomy’s former finance VP. But on Saturday — just two days before Lynch was caught in a boating catastrophe — Chamberlain was killed in a car accident , after he was struck while out for a run.

Lynch earned a Ph.D. in adaptive pattern recognition from Cambridge University. In 2006, he was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) honor for his work in the U.K.’s tech industry. After selling Autonomy, he founded an investment group focused on startups emerging from Cambridge University.

Who else was aboard?

Survivors include Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, along with Charlotte Golunski, who works at Invoke Capital, Lynch’s venture capital firm. Golunski was on the ship with her daughter, Sofia, who had just celebrated her first birthday. In an interview with La Repubblica , Golunski said she held her little girl as she floated in darkness, using all her strength to keep her arms up and prevent Sofia from drowning. Sophia’s father was also onboard and survived.

Ayla Ronald, a lawyer who worked on Lynch’s fraud case, and her partner also escaped the wreck. Other survivors include several crew members, including two women in their early 20s who were part of the ship’s staff.

Missing along with Lynch and Bloomer are Lynch’s daughter, Hannah, 18; Bloomer’s wife, Judy; a lawyer for Lynch named Chris Morvillo; and his wife, Neda, according to local newspaper Giornale di Sicilia .

Bloomer was a partner at Arthur Andersen for some 20 years, until 1994, according to his LinkedIn profile . He then led the financial services company Prudential before taking on a number of chairman roles, including at the legal services firm DWF.

Bloomer is also currently chairman of insurance company the Hiscox Group.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic event,” Hiscox CEO Aki Hussain said in a statement sent to NPR. “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.”  

#Palermo , naufragio imbarcazione a Porticello: proseguono da parte dei #vigilidelfuoco le ricerche delle 6 persone segnalate come disperse. Giunti da Cagliari, Sassari e Roma i #sommozzatori speleo [ #19agosto 19:30] pic.twitter.com/7WY30ckxcK — Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) August 19, 2024

What happened to the yacht?

The gathering took place aboard a massive sailing yacht called Bayesian — a term that, in mathematics and statistics, refers to probability and uncertainty. The yacht’s overall length is listed at 55.9 meters (183 feet).

The Bayesian was off the coast of Porticello when it was swamped by a violent storm before dawn on Monday morning. Numerous eyewitness accounts cited a waterspout — a highly localized spiraling storm that’s essentially a marine tornado. Around that time, the Bayesian was located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, according to the Marine Traffic tracking site.

The ship, which had 22 people aboard, sank. In the aftermath, 15 people were rescued, but one died and six were unaccounted for.  

What about the rescue effort?

Helicopters and marine craft have been searching for any sign of the passengers, hoping to find more survivors. Sea and cave divers have also been part of the effort.

Italy’s fire brigade, Vigili del Fuoco, says it is working on a plan for divers to enter the sunken vessel. An initial attempt on Monday was cut short after divers were able to gain only limited access , citing furniture that blocked a passageway.

When asked about the possibility of finding any other survivors of the calamity, Comandante Vincenzo Zagarola of the Italian Coast Guard told radio station RTL 102.5 on Tuesday that given how much time has elapsed, it’s difficult to imagine a good outcome for the missing passengers. But, he said, the search will continue.

Mike Lynch yacht: The Bayesian's owner was close to billionaire and cost an enormous sum

British entrepreneur Mike Lynch is still missing following the capsizing the yacht he was on near Sicily.

While the billionaire has yet to be found , at least one person is confirmed dead from the accident while six are reported missing. Fifteen have been rescued, including Lynch’s wife , Angela Bacares.

The luxury yacht “suddenly sank” from what’s thought to have been “terrible weather conditions”, according to NBC. Lynch, 59, is the co-creator of the software corporation Autonomy and established Invoke Capital.

• Mike Lynch yacht sinking survivors pictured for first time as search for billionaire intensifies
• Missing billionaire Mike Lynch cleared of fraud just months before superyacht sinking in Italy

How much is the yacht 'The Bayesian' worth?

The Sun reports the 56-meter sailing yacht, called Bayesian, is worth £14 million, about $18 million. The average cost to buy a super yacht, which is a yacht between 37 to 60 meters, starts at about $10 million, according to Galati Yacht Sales .

Forbes said the cost to charter the Bayesian is $215,000 for one week. The yacht was listed for sale earlier this year, though it is no longer, according to BOAT International.

Who owned the Bayesian?

The yacht is legally owned by Lynch’s wife Bacares, Forbes reported. It was built in Italy in 2008 by renowned boat builder Perini Navi.

BOAT International reports the yacht's naval architecture was developed by Ron Holland Design while the interior design is by Rémi Tessier. It was originally known as Salute until 2016 when it was retrofitted and renamed Bayesian.

When it comes to length, Bayesian is in the top 5 percent in the world. It can accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 staterooms, and it has room for 9 crew members.

It is also one of the world’s tallest, with a single mast reaching 75 meters.

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Breaking news, new zealand lawyer ayla ronald’s chilling text to father revealed after surviving bayesian superyacht sinking.

One survivor of the doomed Bayesian shared a disturbing revelation with her father as she is “very shaken” from surviving the superyacht’s sinking off the coast of Sicily.

Ayla Ronald, a senior associate at law firm Clifford Chance, was one of 22 aboard the British-flagged ship when a tornado struck the area where it was anchored around 5 a.m. on Monday.

Ronald, 36, and her partner Matthew Fletcher were invited aboard the Bayesian to celebrate tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s acquittal in “one of Silicon Valley’s biggest-ever fraud cases” alongside his friends and family.

“Ayla is a lawyer who is part of the legal team that was invited to go sailing as a result of the success in the recent United States court case,” Ronald’s father Lin Ronald told the Telegraph.

“I have texted my daughter and she hasn’t given me any updates about missing personnel or saved personnel,” he said.

“She has only said to me that there are deaths, and she and her partner are alive.”

Ayla Ronald’s phone was the only one with a battery and she was helping coordinate with the first responders, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Lin told the outlet that her daughter is “very shaken” following the incident.

The Christchurch, NZ native studied at the University of Otago before moving to London where she worked for several years.

”We are in shock and deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” Clifford Chance said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with our Partner, Christopher Morvillo, and his wife Neda who are among the missing, and with their families.”

“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,” the statement continued. “Our thoughts extend to the other passengers and crew and all those affected.”

What to know after a tornado sank the yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily, leaving one dead and six missing:

• A superyacht capsized off the coast of Sicily after a tornado hit the area early Monday, killing one passenger and leaving five others missing — including Michael Lynch, a tech tycoon known as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” officials said.
• Lynch had invited guests from the legal firm that represented him, Clifford Chance, and Invoke Capital, his own company, on the voyage,  according to the Telegraph . 
• Captain James Catfield, who piloted the 184-foot, British-flagged craft, was among the 15 crew members and passengers to survive after the tornado struck Monday before sunrise.
• Security camera footage shot from 650 feet from where the  Bayesian sank Monday  shows it slowly disappearing.
• Italian authorities have said the chances of the passengers surviving the disaster was very small, but “never say never.”

Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, Jonathan Bloomer, a chairman at Morgan Stanley International, and his wife Judy are among the six still missing.

Angela Bacares, the owner of the yacht and Lynch’s wife, was among 15 people rescued.

One body, believed to belong to the ship’s chef, Canadian-born Thomas Recaldo, was recovered from the wreck.

Lynch’s three-month trial played out in San Francisco federal court and centered on allegations that Lynch schemed to inflate his software company Autonomy’s revenue when he sold it to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion in 2011.

Within a year, the US tech company was forced to down-value Autonomy’s worth by $8.8 billion.

A jury found the Irish-born Lynch, 59, not guilty on all 15 conspiracy and wire fraud charges on June 6.

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Inside the £65 million fashionable Feadship superyacht DRIZZLE

Thanks to her businessman owner, the undoubtedly chic style of the 68.77-metre DRIZZLE is no coincidence.

When placing the original new-build order back in 2008, the 85-year-old owner sought the expertise of Redman Whiteley Dixon Yacht Design (RWD). The studio went on to collaborate with the owner and devised a timeless and sumptuous interior that would remain private, until now.

For the first time since the yacht was delivered in May 2012, the owner has placed DRIZZLE on the market . Priced at €76,000,000 (approximately £65 million), the Feadship-built superyacht features amongst the top 25 most expensive boats currently for sale.

Here, together with the yacht’s Central Agent, Hamilton Marine ’s Jonathan Syrett, we explore some of the little-known characteristics that await DRIZZLE ’s future owner.

Perfect condition

As a keen yachtsman, the owner also owns a 47-metre Feadship superyacht and his journey as an owner has seen Jonathan Syrett sell two of his yachts in the last 36 years, including the 55.47-metre Feadship, also named DRIZZLE . The owner’s time in the industry has meant that his breadth of experience has massively benefitted DRIZZLE and her current condition. The yacht, says Syrett, is ideal for any would-be owner who is eager to get out onto the seas and has no time for new-build waitlists.

“ DRIZZLE is in almost perfect condition and since her launch, has been cared for by a highly experienced crew and adoring owners,” he adds. This care included a refit project in 2019 which saw DRIZZLE repainted that, according to Syrett, left her looking “barely a year old.” The refit also included the addition of a new, full-width swim platform with a shower and retractable self-washing swim ladder.

High-profile social areas

“What started with a blank piece of paper became a contemporary yet classic, modern yet comfortable, low-profile tri-deck superyacht,” explains Syrett. This original design featured amenities that were focused on sociability both indoors and out, namely the open sun deck and its three lounge areas. Other outdoor areas include the informal dining space aft of the bridge deck and the alfresco main-deck dining table. For those inside, the formal dining area in the main saloon has space for up to 12 and once the day is done, all guests can be accommodated across seven cabins.

Amenities for the active

Ready to welcome health-conscious would-be owners, DRIZZLE has an onboard gym that includes a Technogym treadmill and elliptical walker, as well as a selection of free weights and a weight bench. Needless to say, guests needn’t look far for fun activities while aboard DRIZZLE as her tender bay and watersports areas come replete with two 7.5-metre tenders that are on hand to take guests on their daily adventures. DRIZZLE also features two Yamaha WaveRunners, three SeaBob F5S, two BIC windsurfers, two BIC kayaks, four sets of Scubapro dive gear, two Hobie SUPs, a trampoline and a self-supported slide.

Extensive entertainment systems

With Kaleidescape video and audio-on-demand systems in all guest areas and crew common areas, DRIZZLE can keep everyone on board well entertained. While her Crestron control system, which uses tablet control, is available in select crew areas, pantries and the ship’s office, Bluetooth Apple Play can be used in all guest interior and exterior common areas. She also features two TVRO dishes which give the option of running two satellite television systems at the same time, distributing throughout the vessel via matrix.

Long-range capability

DRIZZLE runs on twin 2,038hp MTU diesel engines to reach a cruising speed of 11 knots, a maximum speed of 16.5 knots and a transpacific range of 5,500 nautical miles when travelling at 9 knots. Plus, to keep the yacht supplied for long periods of time, her water tanks store around 35,000 litres of fresh water and the tank deck is home to a full-width laundry room, refrigeration room and dry store.

Large crew areas

Aboard DRIZZLE , 18 crew are spread across nine cabins and are able to share a generous crew mess and recreation area that is well-separated from the rest of the boat. The superyacht’s quality crew areas reflect the owner’s concern for crew welfare and desire for a high standard of living for all those on board.

To find out more about yacht DRIZZLE for sale, contact her broker, Jonathan Syrett, at Hamilton Marine directly here.

Sponsored content created for Hamilton Marine.

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Exiled russian oligarch’s 257’ superyacht amaryllis seen towed through palm beach.

The Amaryllis being towed past the former mansion of Henry Flagler, built in 1902

By John Jannarone and Alan Hatfield

The 257’ superyacht Amaryllis apparently owned by exiled Russian oligarch Andrey Borodin was towed past Palm Beach, FL on Friday morning, according to a visual account by CorpGov .

The yacht, whose owner is frequently cited as Mr. Borodin by enthusiast publications, moved slowly through the Lake Worth lagoon where bridges were raised for its passage. A towboat with flashing lights about 150 feet ahead pulled the Amaryllis , built by German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen in 2011.

While CorpGov could not officially confirm Mr. Borodin as the owner of the vessel, his wife, socialite Tatiana Korsakova, has posted dozens of Instagram photos and videos aboard the Amaryllis. A yacht broker interviewed by CorpGov confirmed that Ms. Korsakova is indeed aboard the Amaryllis in the photos and videos.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tatiana Korsakova (@tati_vk)

The sighting comes as billions of dollars in Russian-owned yachts have been seized around the world as a result of international sanctions. CNN has published an extensive list of seized vessels, which were taken in harbor cities including Mallorca, Spain and London.

However, it is unclear if the Amaryllis was being seized or voluntarily towed. Very large yachts often choose to be towed because bridges are required to raise for them, according to the yacht broker.

The former Bank of Moscow chief was granted political asylum in the UK in February 2013 after fleeing what he alleged to be politically-motivated fraud and embezzlement charges. Mr. Borodin would go on to be tried and convicted in abstentia in Russian Court in 2018, but not before managing to enlist a number of prominent American lawmakers to lobby Washington for a U.S. visa. Despite Russian extradition requests to the UK government, Borodin’s controversial attempts to make large donations to the NHS, and the uncovering of an assassination plot against his life, the fugitive banker remains overseas, having been granted access to his Swiss bank accounts and having made several notable London real estate purchases during his time in exile.

Mr. Borodin is widely listed as a billionaire, but his total wealth remains difficult to confirm accurately, with the governments of Switzerland and the Bahamas having been asked to help the Russian government in its legal case. In 2012, Borodin purchased the UK’s then-most expensive home, an 80-hectare 18th-century estate in Oxfordshire, for upwards of $217 million. In 2017 he was granted access to personal Swiss accounts holding a reported $378 million. The Amaryllis was purchased for a reported $120 million.

Mr. Borodin did not immediately respond to an emailed query from CorpGov , while the FBI declined to comment. An emailed query to The Department of Homeland Security was not returned.

www.CorpGov.com

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Twitter: CorpGovernor

How did the superyacht carrying tech tycoon Mike Lynch sink off Sicily?

Who are the six people missing after the yacht sank and what is the connection with Steve Chamberlain, who died in a car accident?

One person has died and six are missing after a superyacht capsized off the Sicilian coast in the Mediterranean on Monday at about 5am (03:00 GMT) after it was hit by stormy weather caused by a “waterspout” – or mini tornado – according to Italian authorities.

The cruise had reportedly been undertaken to celebrate the acquittal of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch , who has been missing, in a fraud trial in the United States in June.

Keep reading

One dead, six missing after luxury superyacht capsizes off sicily coast, luxury yacht sinks off sicilian coast, uk extradites autonomy co-founder mike lynch to us, how serious are the wildfires near athens, greece.

His co-defendant in the trial, Steve Chamberlain, who was also acquitted in June, was killed after being hit by a car on Saturday.

Here’s what is known so far about the yacht, those on board and who died or are missing.

Who was on the superyacht which sank?

According to the Italian coastguard, the 56-metre-long (184 feet) British-flagged yacht, called the Bayesian, was carrying 22 people, including 10 crew members.

One person has been confirmed dead after rescuers located a body on Monday at a depth of about 50 metres (164 feet), the AFP news agency reported. Officials have not yet given the name of the deceased but Italian media reported that he was the yacht’s chef.

AFP reported on Tuesday that divers had spotted a second body inside the sunk boat, quoting a source close to the search operation. Authorities have not confirmed it yet, though.

While not all the names of the six missing passengers have been made public officially, they are understood to include:

• Mike Lynch, 59, a British-Irish technology businessman who co-founded British tech company Autonomy in 1996 and was once likened to Microsoft founder Bill Gates; he earned a PhD from Cambridge University
• Hannah Lynch, 18, Mike’s daughter, who had just completed her final school exams and was due to begin a degree in English at the University of Oxford this September
• Jonathan Bloomer, the 70-year-old British chairman of Morgan Stanley bank and the Hiscox insurance company, was confirmed as missing by Hiscox CEO Aki Hussain
• Judy Bloomer, Jonathan’s wife, was also confirmed as missing by Hussain
• Chris Morvillo, from British international law firm Clifford Chance, was confirmed to be missing by Salvatore Cocina, head of the Civil Protection in Sicily

Fifteen people, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, were rescued. Among others rescued were Charlotte Golunski, 36, a board director at Luminance, a software startup founded by Lynch; her husband, James; and their one-year-old daughter, Sophie. Golunski is understood to have kept her daughter alive by holding her above her head while she was in the water.

All those rescued are in stable condition, although eight of them have been hospitalised, according to Italian news agency Adnkronos.

What do we know about the Bayesian?

Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi constructed the superyacht in 2008 and refitted it in 2020, according to the company’s website.

The yacht’s owner is listed as Revtom Limited, a firm solely owned by Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, according to company documents seen by the Reuters news agency.

It was formerly called Salute but was renamed Bayesian after Lynch’s PhD thesis and his software that earned him a fortune. Both of these were based on the statistical Bayesian theory, championed by mathematician Thomas Bayes.

Where was the Bayesian last seen and where was it going?

The Bayesian was last located on Sunday evening in the Tyrrhenian Sea, east of the harbour at Porticello, according to ship tracking websites Vessel Finder and Marine Traffic.

Porticello is a port city located near the Sicilian capital, Palermo.

The yacht had departed on August 14 from the Sicilian port of Milazzo. Its destination was reported to be the Italian city of Bagheria by the tracking websites.

Did a waterspout cause the yacht to sink?

Italian authorities reported that the stormy conditions that caused the yacht to sink were triggered by a waterspout.

A waterspout is a rotating column of whirling air and water mist – sometimes referred to as a mini tornado – according to the website of the US National Ocean Service.

The website adds that a tornadic waterspout is a tornado that forms over water or moves from land to water. They are similar to land tornadoes and can occur during thunderstorms.

Who is Stephen Chamberlain and how is he connected to this case?

Chamberlain, 52, was Lynch’s co-defendant in a fraud trial in San Francisco, which saw both men acquitted in June.

Chamberlain died in a hospital from injuries sustained when he was hit by a car while out running in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, on Saturday. His death was confirmed by his lawyer Gary Lincenberg in a statement on Monday.

The fraud case related to Hewlett Packard’s $11bn acquisition of Autonomy, the firm Lynch grew into the UK’s leading tech company before it spectacularly unravelled after being bought by HP in 2011.

Lynch was extradited to the US in May 2023 and he spent more than a year under house arrest before his acquittal. Chamberlain was the former vice president of finance at Autonomy.

The yacht trip was supposedly a celebration of Lynch’s acquittal.

What’s next for the search and rescue operation?

Specialist divers began a search anew for the six missing people on Tuesday. Three divers, equipped with oxygen cylinders, descended beneath the surface to examine the wreck.

They initially faced difficulty accessing the yacht’s chambers because they were constricted by furniture.

An investigation into the wreck has been opened by prosecutors in the nearby Sicilian town of Termini Imerese.

What have survivors and witnesses said about the incident?

“It was terrible. The boat was hit by really strong wind and shortly after it went down,” survivor Golunski told the ANSA news agency.

She added that she had lost hold of her one-year-old daughter in the water for “two seconds”, but then managed to grab her and hold her up over the waves until a lifeboat inflated and they were both pulled to safety. She reported that people were screaming.

Karsten Borner, a captain of a nearby yacht who witnessed the sinking, said he had turned on the engine of his ship to prevent collision with the Bayesian. “We managed to keep the ship in position and after the storm was over, we noticed that the ship behind us was gone,” he told reporters.

Bloomer’s wife, Judy, is a trustee of the Eve Appeal, a UK-based gynaecological cancer research charity. Athena Lamnisos, the CEO of the Eve Appeal, was quoted by the BBC saying she was “deeply shocked to hear the news that our very dear friend and her husband Jonathan, are among those missing”.

UK's Mike Lynch missing after yacht sinks off Sicily, source says

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What is known about the sinking of a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily and those aboard

PORTICELLO, Sicily — Specialist cave divers working in 12-minute underwater shifts were searching Tuesday for six missing passengers and crew, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, believed to be in the submerged wreck of a luxury yacht that was slammed by a powerful storm and swiftly sank off Sicily.

The sleek yacht, named the Bayesian, was carrying a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers when it suddenly sank near the Mediterranean island that is part of Italy at about 4 a.m. on Monday. One body has been recovered and 15 people survived.

Fire rescue officials have said the six believed to remain in the sailboat's hull will be considered missing until they are located in the wreckage.

Here's what we know so far about the sinking and those who were on board.

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What happened?

Italian civil protection officials believe a sudden and fierce storm that battered the coast of Sicily in the early hours of Monday whipped up a waterspout in the exact spot where the 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged Bayesian was moored.

Karsten Borner, the captain of another yacht moored nearby, said he saw the Bayesian during the storm but when the wild weather passed it was gone and he saw only a red flare lighting the night sky, the Italian news agency ANSA and the Giornale di Sicilia newspaper reported.

Borner and one of his crew boarded their tender and found a lifeboat carrying 15 people, some of them injured. They took them aboard their yacht and alerted the coast guard.

Rescue authorities said the wreck was resting at a depth of 50 meters (163 feet) about a half mile offshore of the picturesque fishing village of Porticello.

Who was on board?

Among the missing is 59-year-old tech tycoon Mike Lynch, sometimes described as the British Bill Gates. Lynch was acquitted in June of all charges in a US fraud trial linked to the $11 billion sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard in 2011.

Lynch still faced a potentially huge bill stemming from a civil case in London that HP mostly won during 2022. Damages haven’t been determined in that case, but HP is seeking $4 billion. Lynch made more than $800 million from the Autonomy sale.

A Cambridge-educated mathematician, Lynch made his name running Autonomy, which made a search engine that could pore through emails and other internal business documents to help companies find vital information more quickly.

Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah was reportedly among the missing. His wife, Angela Bacares, and 14 other people survived.

Among others still missing Tuesday, according to the civil protection agency, were one of Lynch’s US lawyers, Christopher Morvillo of Clifford Chance, and Morvillo’s wife, Neda. Morvillo was regarded as an elite defense lawyer and was also a federal prosecutor in New York after 9/11.

Also missing was Jonathan Bloomer, the non-executive chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife, Judy. He is the former head of the Autonomy audit committee and testified for the defense at Lynch’s trial.

Bloomer was also chair of the Hiscox Group, an insurer that does business on the Lloyd’s of London market.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic event,” Hiscox CEO Aki Hussain said in a statement.

Among the survivors was Charlotte Golunski, who said she momentarily lost hold of her 1-year-old daughter Sofia in the water, but then managed to grab her and hold her up over the waves until a lifeboat inflated and they were both pulled to safety, ANSA reported. The father, identified by ANSA as James Emslie, also survived.

The Dutch foreign ministry said a Dutch man survived. The ministry, citing privacy, did not release his identity.

One body was recovered on Monday, identified as the on-board chef.

What is the Bayesian?

The Bayesian was a luxury yacht built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Nav. It was known for its single 75-meter (246-feet) aluminum mast — one of the world’s tallest. Online charter sites listed it for rent for up to 195,000 euros (about $215,000) a week.

Its registered owner is listed as Revtom Ltd., based on the Isle of Man, according to online maritime database Equasis. Lynch’s wife is listed as Revtom’s sole owner, according to corporate registration documents from the Isle of Man.

The yacht's name is an apparent reference to “Bayesian inference,” one of the two main approaches to statistical machine learning and the one that was used by Autonomy.

What is a waterspout?

Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water and can happen when a storm moves across warm water.

According to the US National Ocean Service, there are two types of waterspouts — fair-weather and tornadic.

Tornadic waterspouts “have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning,” the service says on its website.

While scientists haven't attributed the specific event to climate change, average monthly surface temperatures have been at record highs for months. Hotter air can hold more moisture, making heavier storms more likely.

Sicily has been baking under intense heat this summer, and the United Nations’ panel of climate change experts notes the Mediterranean Sea is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with warming rates roughly 20 percent higher than the global average.

How rare is it for a huge sailboat like this to capsize?

Experts say it is extraordinarily rare for a luxury sailboat of this size to capsize due to weather events.

“This just doesn’t happen. You know, boats sink because things like keels fall off, or they run aground and breach the hull ... whereas just from a weather angle, a boat that big being pushed over on its side is absolutely extraordinary,” said Skip Novak, a lifelong sailor who has taken part in multiple round the world yacht races and written books about sailing.

Novak said he believed that strong gusts likely pushed the yacht over 90 degrees to its side, and the vessel did not recover because of the weight of the huge mast and because it was anchored. He suggested that internal doors were likely not closed, and water quickly poured in to sink the vessel.

“When you’re at anchor, even if it’s blowing with a storm in the Mediterranean, you rarely shut the whole boat down because nobody expects something like this to happen," Novak told The Associated Press. “So if the boat wasn’t completely watertight at the deck, you’d have flooding going in. It would take a couple minutes and that would be it."

What happens next?

As the search for the missing continues, authorities already have begun trying to piece together exactly what happened.

Prosecutors from the Sicilian town of Termini Imerese have opened an investigation, as is normal in such events even when no suspects are identified. To date, they have not commented publicly.

The British Marine Accident Investigation Branch said four of its inspectors were being deployed to Palermo.

Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands. Associated Press writer Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this report.