Luxury superyacht tragedy after boat capsizes in freak storm: 'There are always limits'

An expert says that while a luxury superyacht like the Bayesian is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, nothing is 100% guaranteed, as evidenced by its capsizing and sinking early Monday with more than a dozen people on board.

eSysman SuperYachts' YouTube channel, eSysman, spoke with Planet Chronicle Digital to determine the cause of the vessel's issues.

The host, who identifies publicly as eSysman, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that a high-caliber yacht like the Bayesian should typically be able to withstand extreme weather conditions, but emphasized that there are always limits.

Any voyage plan must consider the weather, including wind, wave sizes, and wave frequencies. Although weather prediction has become more accurate over time, it is still not 100%, and the captain remains responsible for the vessel.

The Bayesian, a 246-foot aluminum mast, was a remarkable sight, especially at night when it was illuminated. It could be rented for up to 195,000 euros or around $215,000 per week through online charter sites.

Overnight, a waterspout, which is a tornado over water, hit the area in Sicily, according to the civil protection agency.

Authorities reported that British tech magnate Mike Lynch and five others were absent following the sinking of their luxury superyacht during a sudden storm in Sicily on Monday morning.

Six people, including Lynch, remain unaccounted for after their chartered sailboat sank off the Italian city of Porticello, near Palermo, sometime after 4 a.m., while his wife and 14 others survived.

""Survivors are always a possibility, so search and rescue will continue, even with slim chances, as eSysman said. However, life expectancy in cold water is limited," the expert stated."

If a vessel is caught in high-winds, eSysman will start their engines and maneuver into a position where the wind is on the bow, avoiding the beam or the side of the vessel from being against the wind.

The eyewitness report suggests that the yacht was anchored in the bay, but the AIS data indicates that the vessel was underway, leaving us uncertain about which information is accurate.

The "Automatic Identification System," or "AIS," is a short-range coastal tracking system utilized on ships.

The team at eSysman SuperYachts consists of individuals with experience in the maritime industry, with eSysman having over 20 years of experience working on SuperYachts of all sizes, including some of the largest in the world.

The Bayesian crew and passengers originated from diverse countries, including Britain, the United States, Antigua, France, Germany, Ireland, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Spain.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is sending a team of four inspectors to Italy to conduct a preliminary assessment. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development office stated that it is offering consular assistance to a large number of British citizens and their families.

The yacht, constructed in 2008 by Perini Navi, has the capacity to house 12 passengers in four double cabins, a triple, and the master suite, as well as crew quarters, as stated by Charter World and Yacht Charters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.