Bayesian’s first skipper revealed a major shortcoming of the supersailboat, one he believed was “unsinkable”.

As investigators try to unravel the events that led to the drowning BayesianFormer superyacht captain reveals that was near the ship Several limitations operational product of its special construction This could have contributed to The ship was wrecked during a powerful storm off the coast of Sicily.

Stephen Edwards The boat’s characteristics were analyzed in detail in an article published yesterday on a site specializing in marine topics Scuttlebutt. He pointed to some in particular Sustainability challenges In the subject List, a technical term that refers to the way a boat “leans” to one sideUsually caused by the force of the wind on the sails.

,Listing it more than about 45 degrees from its normal operating position could cause flooding and the resulting damage if flooding cannot be controlled,” he wrote, “The weather conditions that could have caused these extreme conditions can occur without warning and are difficult to predict due to being so localized, leaving crews with little time to react.”

He Bayesian56 metres long and flying the British flag, built in 2008 by an Italian shipyard Perini Navi and was refitted in 2020. The shipyard’s CEO, Giovanni Costantino, He blamed the disaster on the crew, calling it “unthinkable”.

However, Edwards’ words suggest that responsibilities, at least, can be shared.

EdwardThe man who captained the ship between 2015 and 2020 began by analysing the now famous 75m aluminum mastThe tallest construction of its kind.

In his words, “the robust and well-controlled rig performed well within the design limits.” However, he stressed that certain features of the mast and rigging brought Structural challenges From its construction to its daily operation.

Another important point mentioned by Edwards Was Additional ballast of the yacht, consisting of 30 tons excess lead in his vomit. “The purpose was counteract the extra massthe greatest center of gravity and the greatest center of effort generated by the sloop rig (due to navigational forces),” he wrote.

Operational stability of the Bayesian This was a central theme in Edwards’ analysis as well. He pointed out that all boats in this category are provided with a series of sail plan recommendations called Sustainability Information Book.This book contains accurate details about Load and Operating Limitsas well as data on critical stability angles and its use CenterboardA type of fin that serves to balance the weight and height of the rudder, especially when sea conditions are rough.

The Bayesian’s centerboard was 9.7 metres, which, at the time of sinking, withdrawnwithout reaching half its length: it would have retracted when approaching shallow water, but it did not return to depth, even if the conditions permitted it and despite a proven wind of 80 knots, 150 km/h. In the case of this vessel, the daggerboard had to be lowered when using sails and/or when sailing more than 60 knots from the coast (regardless of whether under sail or under motor),” Edwards said.Any other time, it might be higher.”he explained.

He also mentioned two important figures: He Angle of creep stability (AVS)), i.e., the angle of heel at which the righting moment of the boat reaches zero, which means that the boat will not return to the vertical position; and this Angle of deflection (or flood), i.e. the angle of heel at which water starts entering.

List Is the way a boat “leans” to one sideUsually caused by the force of the wind on the sails.

In Bayesian, A.V.S. It was at about 90 degrees when the moving keel was lowered and 75 degrees when raised.

However, he added Edwards“His The angle of inundation was approximately 40-45 degrees…much less than the Avs.

This information indicates that, if ventilation hatches were not closed during extreme weather conditions, Rapid flooding could have begun, giving the crew little time to react.

“Unless the vents are closed (which they won’t be with the HVAC system and generator running, since that requires them to be open), If the ship lists more than the downward flooding angle the ship will begin to flood rapidly.wrote.

However, in his explanation of the opening of the Bayesian hull, Edwards told that Yacht It had a highly secure design with few openings which could compromise its watertight integrity.

He The Bayesian’s hull only had one doorHe added, noting that Can only be opened in a “state of complete peace”,

This is one of the points on which the investigation is focused. One of the allegations made by the manufacturer is that The crew left the stern hatch open, Pointing to an lapse after a party held on the ship before the tragedy.

In this regard, Edwards said he was “one hundred percent” sure that “The helmet must not have been left open at nightand also said that there were no windows or portholes on the ship that could be opened.”

Former Captains concluded that the situation Bayesian It was suitable for navigation and was well maintained. However, “It is a fact that a list of more than 45 degrees under normal operating conditions can cause flooding”,

He stressed that the unpredictable nature of marine weather had created conditions that were difficult to predict, and that it would be up to investigators to determine how the ship exceeded its operational limits.

Seven peopleSix people, including six passengers and a crew member, drowned in the tragedy that occurred during a strong storm. The passengers also included British technology tycoons Mick Lynch and their 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.

Captain of the Bayesian At the time of drowning, James Cutfield, He refused to testify at his first formal interrogation before an Italian magistrate.

according to many timesCutfield’s lawyers argued that he could not yet testify because of the shock. Cutfield’s representative, Alba Mordiglia, told reporters that the captain wanted to cooperate fully with the investigation. “He had two reasons for exercising his right to remain silent,” Mordiglia told The Times. “It is understandable that he is very affected and secondly, we lawyers were not appointed until yesterday and we needed to get this information so we don’t have to defend him.”

Relatives cited by him Corriere della Sera they say that CaptainProstration, repeated like a chorus He did not leave anyone and made every possible effort to save everyone, crew and passengers. And at a certain moment the water had invaded everything and it became prohibitive to enter the sinking boat.

Chief Prosecutor of Termini Imerese, Ambrogio CartosioIt was confirmed that an investigation would be launched to determine whether there was criminal responsibility for the multiple murders and shipwrecks caused by negligence.

Maritime Law Grants Full responsibility for ship and crew rests with the captainAs well as the safety of everyone on board.