BBC Two has aired a documentary titled Millionaire Superyacht: Why Ships Sink, investigating the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht off the Sicilian coast in 2024. The tragedy claimed the lives of seven of the 22 people on board, including British billionaire tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah.
Who was Mike Lynch?
Mike Lynch, often dubbed "Britain's Bill Gates," was a pioneering figure in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. After earning a PhD from Cambridge University, he founded the software firm Autonomy in 1996, which specialized in AI-driven data analysis. He later co-founded the cybersecurity company Darktrace. At the time of his death, his fortune was estimated between £852 million and £1.1 billion, according to the BBC.
Lynch had been embroiled in a protracted legal battle with US authorities over fraud allegations related to Autonomy's sale to Hewlett-Packard. He was extradited to the United States but was acquitted of all charges in June 2024, potentially avoiding a sentence of over 20 years in prison.
The Bayesian sinking and its mystery
The Bayesian, a multi-million-pound sailing yacht, sank during severe weather conditions. However, other vessels in the vicinity remained afloat, and another dive boat, the Sea Story, also capsized unexpectedly that year, adding to the mystery. The documentary examines why the Bayesian went down while others survived.
Among the seven victims were Lynch and his daughter Hannah, who had recently secured a place at Oxford University. Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, was also aboard but survived. The couple married in 2001 after meeting in New York around 2000.
Tributes and legacy
Friends and family paid tribute to Lynch and his daughter. Andrew Kanter, a colleague and friend, described Lynch as "the most brilliant mind and caring person I have ever known. His passion for life, knowledge and all those around him was instantly inspiring to everyone he met, and he will be sorely missed."
Hannah's sister Esme said: "She is endlessly caring, passionately mad, unintentionally hilarious and the most amazing, supportive and joyful sister and best friend to me... she is my little angel, my star."
The documentary is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
