What are waterspouts, one of the possible causes of the sinking of the Bayesian supersailboat

The 56-metre luxury yacht Bayesian, owned by the family of British tycoon Mike Lynch, sank after being hit by a severe storm early Monday. The boat was heading off the coast of Sicily, Italy, carrying a crew of 10 and 12 passengers, a total of 22 people.

Although search protocols were immediately activated, seven people died in the incident. Furthermore, there is still speculation about the cause of the shipwreck. Among various versions, it is believed that the storm was a waterspout.

Waterspouts, also called waterspouts, are, in short, tornadoes that form over water, Formed by rotating columns of extremely destructive winds. And waterspouts were seen before the Bayesian sinking. These strong winds leave showers of water instead of dust and debris.

British Media BBC He explained that rising winds produce a spinning tornado. While the warm air rises, the cold air concentrates into a vortex and descends. When reaching the sea surface, this phenomenon creates a spectacular water current that emerges from the sea,

Peter InnesMeteorologists from the University of Reading (United Kingdom) compared National Geographic A rapid rotation of rising air accompanied by a vortex in a storm that occurs when a drainage system becomes blocked. As air is drawn into the upper layers, the rotational motion becomes more violent.,

Although waterspouts are typically short-lived and difficult to detect by radar, that doesn’t mean they’re uncommon. BBC He assured:On August 19 alone, 18 of them were recorded off the coast of ItalyAdditionally, they are more common during the late summer and autumn in the Northern Hemisphere due to higher ocean temperatures, which act as “fuel” for these storms.

National Geographic It was reported that the waterfall They collide at a speed of 88 kilometres per hour

. Although they are fleeting, their destructive power should not be underestimated. Gusts of strong winds descending from the clouds threaten to destroy everything in their path in a temporary but destructive frenzy.

A spokesperson for the Australian Government’s Bureau of Meteorology told the outlet: “They usually only affect a specific point for a few minutes.,

Waterfalls are often dangerous to ships. In relation to Bayesian, Luca MercalliThe president of the Italian Meteorological Society explained National Geographic: “It was dark and no images are available.” Therefore, it has not yet been confirmed whether any of these tornadoes were responsible for the crash.

as explained David SillsExecutive Director of the Northern Tornado Project of Ontario (Canadian Tornado Agency) National Geographic,A sailboat has a big, heavy keel, so when you start to flip, it lifts you up.”. However, if water enters the boat, it can cause it to lose buoyancy and sink.

Undersecretary of Risk Management and Civil Protection of Argentina It says that someone is sailing and sees a body of water, It is advisable to immediately drive in the opposite direction. Furthermore, it indicates that you should always wear a life jacket and put it on as soon as you notice the incident.

If you are swimming, It is advisable to quickly get out of the water and take shelter in a safe place on dry land. Although they are usually short-lived, waterspouts can generate hurricane-force winds that can blow off roofs and knock down trees, as their behavior is similar to that of a tornado.

In the end, the Under Secretary also recalled the incident It may be accompanied by strong winds, storms or hailstorms.