News story

Bayesian interim report published

Foundering of a yacht, with the loss of seven lives, 0.5 nautical miles south-east of Porticello, Italy.

Photograph of Bayesian courtesy of Karsten Börner, Skipper of Sir Robert Baden Powell.

Our interim report on the investigation of the fatal foundering of yacht Bayesian, 0.5 nautical miles south-east of Porticello, Italy on 19 August 2024, is now published.

Statement from the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE:

The interim report presents a desktop study of the facts as we know them. The study has reviewed the yacht’s stability, the likely local weather conditions at the time, and the effect of that weather on the yacht. The findings indicate that the extreme wind experienced by Bayesian was sufficient to knock the yacht over. Further, once the yacht had heeled beyond an angle of 70° the situation was irrecoverable.

The results will be refined as the investigation proceeds, and more information becomes available.

The interim report, available via this link, contains information from the investigation completed to date.

Our investigation is ongoing and the full report will be published in due course.

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Published 15 May 2025