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BLUE Yacht – Extraordinary $160 M Superyacht

In 2022, Lürssen shipyard unveiled the breathtaking superyacht Blue, a truly remarkable vessel that represents the pinnacle of luxury, engineering, and environmental responsibility.

Designed by the highly acclaimed Terence Disdale, Blue has earned its place among the world’s largest yachts with a staggering volume of 15,320 tons.

Although slightly smaller than the illustrious Dilbar, Blue exudes an unparalleled level of sophistication and elegance.

Blue was officially delivered to its owner in June 2022, following a highly anticipated launch earlier in the year.

This magnificent superyacht is a testament to Terence Disdale’s extraordinary talents, as he was responsible for both the yacht’s striking exterior and its sumptuous interior design.

While official data on Blue’s specifications remains scarce, industry insiders estimate that the luxurious yacht can comfortably accommodate a minimum of 48 guests across 24 lavish staterooms.

Additionally, the impressive megayacht is designed to house a dedicated crew and staff of 80 members within 40 well-appointed cabins, ensuring an exceptional level of personalized service for everyone onboard.

Blue’s powerful MTU engines propel this incredible motor yacht, enabling it to reach top speeds of over 20 knots. For those who prefer a more leisurely journey, the yacht’s estimated cruising speed is a comfortable 16 knots.

The collaboration between Lürssen and Terence Disdale has redefined the standards of luxury yachting, as Blue’s innovative design and features have captured the imagination of yachting enthusiasts around the world.

With an estimated value of $600 million and annual operating costs of around $60 million, Blue is a testament to the investment in unparalleled luxury, cutting-edge technology, and sustainability. The price of a yacht can vary greatly depending on factors such as size, age, level of luxury, and the cost of materials and technology used in its construction.

Lürssen Yachts, a luxury yacht builder based in Bremen, Germany, has been crafting custom-made motor yachts since its founding in 1875. Ranging in size from 50 to 180 meters, Lürssen yachts are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and use of advanced technology.

The company has a distinguished reputation for constructing some of the world’s largest and most complex yachts, collaborating with top yacht designers and naval architects to create innovative and unique yacht designs. Azzam, Dilbar, NORD, and Scheherazade are among their most notable projects.

Terence Disdale Design, a luxury design and architecture firm headquartered in London, UK, specializes in high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. Established by Terence Disdale in 1973, the firm has gained a reputation for creating elegant, timeless interiors and exteriors for luxury properties and yachts worldwide.

They are known for designing unique and bespoke spaces that reflect their clients’ personalities. Over the years, they have worked with numerous high-profile clients and have received countless awards for their work. Some of their most renowned projects include the Blohm & Voss Eclipse, Lürssen’s BLUE, Lürssen’s Pelorus, and the Oceanco Dreamboat.

Formerly known as Project Blue, the 160-meter superyacht Blue was launched in February 2022 and is now the fifth-largest yacht globally in terms of length overall (LOA). Terence Disdale masterfully designed both the interior and exterior of the 15,320 GT superyacht, taking full advantage of the vessel’s 22.5-meter beam and generous deck spaces.

In a statement from the shipyard, it was revealed that a heightened focus on environmental sustainability played a crucial role in Blue’s construction.

The superyacht is among the largest vessels in the world to be equipped with a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, featuring PTI/PTO units that can be utilized for electric propulsion at lower speeds or for generating electricity to power the vessel at higher speeds.

This innovative technology not only showcases the advancements in marine engineering but also significantly reduces Blue’s environmental impact.

Blue’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond its state-of-the-art propulsion system. The vessel is equipped with an innovative after-treatment system and an advanced wastewater treatment plan utilizing new membrane technology. This system allows the treated wastewater to be safely discharged in “drinking water quality,” according to the shipyard.

Lürssen managing partner Peter Lürssen praised the exceptional team behind Blue, stating, “We are very proud of Blue as yet another statement of Lürssen’s ability and desire to build yachts that meet all of our exacting owners’ requirements, guided by our core focus of expert engineering, beautiful design, and being a proud market leader in developing sustainable technologies.”

The features onboard Blue are nothing short of spectacular, including two helicopter landing sites – a large helideck at the bow and a smaller helipad aft – providing convenient transportation options for guests.

Each of the four upper decks offers expansive al fresco entertaining areas, and there is a swimming platform connected to a beach club. Additionally, forward stateroom balconies on either side enhance the onboard experience.

As Blue embarks on its maiden voyage to Malta, the superyacht is poised to make a significant impact on the yachting industry, inspiring future projects to incorporate sustainable technologies and environmentally-conscious design elements. The legacy of Blue will undoubtedly shape the future of luxury yachting, setting a new standard for innovation, elegance, and eco-friendly practices.

BLUE Yacht Summary

In summary, the 160-meter superyacht Blue represents a remarkable achievement in luxury yachting, blending unparalleled opulence with a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

With Terence Disdale’s expert design and Lürssen’s exceptional craftsmanship, the vessel has become a shining example of innovation and environmental responsibility in the world of luxury yachts.

As Blue takes to the seas, it serves as a testament to the extraordinary collaboration between Lürssen and Terence Disdale, proving that it is possible to create a truly luxurious yachting experience while minimizing its ecological footprint.

With its breathtaking design, state-of-the-art technology, and emphasis on sustainability, the superyacht Blue has undoubtedly set a new benchmark for the luxury yachting industry and inspired a greener future for marine transportation.

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The Epic New 525-Foot ‘Blue’ Is Now the Fifth-Largest Superyacht in the World

The newcomer is the fifth-longest superyacht in the global fleet., rachel cormack.

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One of the world’s largest superyachts just hit the water.

Lürssen’s mighty new 525-footer, christened Blue , left the Bremen yard in Germany on Saturday, July 2, after successfully completing her sea trials in late June. The behemoth is now the fifth-longest superyacht in the global fleet and one of the biggest in the world in terms of volume. In fact, she offers a giant interior of 14,785 GT.

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Size isn’t the only thing that matters, though. The shipyard says Blue was designed to be as efficient and eco-friendly as possible. She is equipped with a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system that was developed in-house. In addition, the behemoth vessel is fitted with a high-tech exhaust system that reduces noise, vibrations and emissions, according to the yard. She also sports an innovative wastewater treatment plant that allows treated wastewater to be safely disposed of in “drinking water quality.”

Lürssen’s ‘Blue’ spans 525 feet from tip to tail.  Courtesy Tom Van Oossanen

The team from Terence Disdale Design worked with Lürssen to create the yacht’s sleek, contemporary exterior and traditional interior. You can, of course, expect a laundry list of amenities, including not one but two helipads and a huge swim platform aft that connects to a beach club. Lürssen did not share any details regarding Blue ‘s exact layout, but there will no doubt be cabins and lounges aplenty.

“We are very proud of Blue as yet another statement of Lürssen’s ability and desire to build yachts that meet all of our exacting owners’ requirements, guided by our core focus of expert engineering, beautiful design and being a proud market leader in developing sustainable technologies,” managing partner Peter Lürssen said in a statement .

Lürssen’s ‘Azzam’ measures just shy of 593 feet.  Lürssen

Of course, Lürssen has proven itself adept at delivering sizable superyachts. In fact, the German yard is responsible for 13 out of the 25 top builds in the industry. That includes the world’s longest superyacht, Azzam , which measures just shy of 593 feet and offers a volume of 13,136 GT.

Blue is now en route to the Mediterranean where she will enjoy her very first season with her new owners.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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The 160-metre yacht BLUE has been given a contemporary exterior and a traditional, fresh interior design, both by Terence Disdale Design. Efficiency and the desire to be as environmentally friendly as possible were key drivers for the technology on board. BLUE is equipped with a highly efficient Diesel-Electric Hybrid Propulsion Concept developed by Lürssen’s own engineering specialists. The yacht also has an electric Azimuth Pod Drive, which in electric mode can be used separately, or when the PTI units are engaged, with the two propeller shafts. In order to generate less noise and vibration and reduce nitrogen oxide levels, BLUE is completed with a state-of-the-art exhaust after-treatment system. Furthermore, the wastewater treatment plant is equipped with new membrane technology that allows the treated wastewater to be safely disposed of in ‘drinking water quality’.

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BLUE is a 160.6 m Motor Yacht, built in Germany by Lurssen and delivered in 2022.

Her top speed is 20.0 kn and her power comes from four diesel electric engines. She has a gross tonnage of 14785.0 GT and a 22.5 m beam.

She was designed by Terence Disdale , who also designed the interior. Terence Disdale has designed 41 yachts and designed the interior of 78 yachts for yachts above 24 metres.

The naval architecture was developed by Lurssen , who has architected 71 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database - she is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Aluminium superstructure.

BLUE is the 5th longest yacht in the world. She is one of 70 motor yachts longer than 100m, and, compared to similarly sized motor yachts, her top speed is 0.3 kn above the average, and her volume 7647.92 GT above the average.

BLUE is currently sailing under the Cayman Islands flag, the 2nd most popular flag state for superyachts with a total of 1414 yachts registered. She is known to be an active superyacht and has most recently been spotted cruising near Greece. For more information regarding BLUE's movements, find out more about BOATPro AIS .

Specifications

• Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
• Yacht Subtype: Displacement
• Builder: Lurssen
• Naval Architect: Lurssen
• Exterior Designer: Terence Disdale
• Interior Designer: Terence Disdale

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Project Blue is a 160m motor yacht currently under construction in Lurssen's Bremen shipyard in Germany.

Due to be delivered in 2023, 160m Project Blue is Lurssen's second-largest superyacht.

After her secretive launch on the 24th February 2022, very little is known about the specifications of, and the designers behind, this incredible German built vessel.

Project Blue is a custom motor yacht with a 21m beam, and an expected gross tonnage of 15,320 GT. Her other specifications are currently unknown.

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Lürssen’s 525-foot Superyacht Blue Sets Sail

The gigantic vessel has been designed with sustainability in mind.

By Irenie Forshaw

Lürssen’s sparkling new superyacht, Blue, left the shipyard in Bremen on Saturday, setting sail on her maiden voyage to Malta . Spanning 524.9 ft and weighing in at 15,320 gross tonnes, the gigantic vessel now holds the title of the fifth largest yacht in the world.

But it’s not just size that sets Blue apart in the competitive superyacht sector. The delivery of the ship marks an exciting milestone for the German shipbuilder in its quest to pave the way to a more sustainable future for yachting.

As her name would suggest, Blue has been thoughtfully designed to minimize her impact on the oceans. Lürssen worked with the new owner’s technical project management team for the project, as well as the design team from Terence Disdale , who are the brains behind both the sleek exterior and luxurious interiors.

The new superyacht is fitted with a groundbreaking diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system. Developed by Lürssen’s in-house engineering experts, the new technology comprises twin diesel engines that drive two controllable pitch propellers through individual gearboxes.

The new superyacht is fitted with a groundbreaking diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system / ©Tom Van Oossane

PTI/PTO units fitted to the gearboxes can be used either for electric propulsion to travel at slower speeds, or for generating electrical energy when the vessel picks up pace. As well as this innovative technology, Blue is fitted with an electric Azimuth Pod Drive, which in electric mode can be used separately, or when the PTI units are engaged, with the two propeller shafts.

These are not token efforts at going green. Rather, Lürssen has spent several years on the project in the hope of inspiring other shipbuilders to create more eco-friendly vessels.

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Of course, comfort is also at the heart of the design , and Blue features an exhaust after-treatment system to reduce noise levels and nitrogen oxide emissions. Additionally, the onboard wastewater treatment plant is equipped with new membrane technology that allows treated wastewater to be safely disposed of at what Lürssen describes as ‘drinking water quality.’

All the features you would expect from the planet’s fifth- largest superyacht are present including a pair of helicopter landing sites, a spacious al fresco dining terrace and a swimming platform connected to a beach club. Besides this, very little information about the new vessel is available and images of the interiors have been kept strictly under wraps.

[See also: Twenty for 20: Innovative Yachts of the 21st Century]

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“To execute such a comprehensive project, an excellent team is necessary,” said the shipbuilder’s managing partner, Peter Lürssen. “We are very proud of Blue as yet another statement of Lürssen’s ability and desire to build yachts that meet all of our exacting owner’s requirements, guided by our core focus of expert engineering, beautiful design and being a proud market leader in developing sustainable technologies.”

Lürssen’s Project Blue is only the latest example of its efforts to champion sustainability. At the Monaco Yacht Show last year, the shipyard unveiled Alice : a climate-neutral yacht concept that replaced conventional diesel generators with emission-free fuel cells which generate electrical energy based on hydrogen reformed from green methanol.

While Alice was just an idea, the concept served as an important tool to spark conversations within the yachting industry around how to move toward a greener future. Lürssen is also currently in the process of building its first yacht with fuel cell technology (due for delivery in 2025) which will make it possible to anchor emission-free for 15 days or cruise 1,000 miles at slow speed. Alongside these projects, the German shipbuilder set up an innovation lab to test the installation of a marine hybrid fuel cell system on board a yacht.

Pioneering cleaner energy technologies isn’t the only way Lürssen is striving to reduce its environmental impact. The shipyard also works closely with the Blue Marine Foundation – an organization dedicated to putting at least 30% of the world’s oceans under protection by 2030 while restoring precious marine habitats and tackling unsustainable fishing practices.

In fact, Peter Lürssen personally paid for the operating costs of the Blue Marine Foundation for five years, on top of donating $2.3m to fund a project to create a marine protection area around Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.

lurssen.com

[See also: Edmiston Moves Closer to Carbon Neutrality with Levidian]

Irenie Forshaw

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This Yacht is not for Charter*

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BLUE yacht NOT for charter*

160m  /  524'11 | lurssen | 2022.

Owner & Guests

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Special Features:

• Commercially certified helipad
• Impressive 5,000nm range
• Extensive health and beauty center, including spa and beach club
• Built in 2022
• Swimming pool

The 160m/524'11" motor yacht 'Blue' was built by Lurssen in Germany at their Bremen shipyard. Her interior is styled by English designer design house Terence Disdale and she was delivered to her owner in June 2022. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Terence Disdale.

Guest Accommodation

Blue has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 48 guests in 24 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 80 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Her features include a helipad, steam room, spa, beauty salon, satellite communications, underwater lights, beach club, gym, deck jacuzzi, WiFi and air conditioning.

Range & Performance

Blue is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by twin diesel-electric MTU (16V 1163 M84) 16-cylinder 6,975hp engines running at 1280rpm, she comfortably cruises at 18 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 21 knots with a range of up to 5,000 nautical miles from her 1,080,000 litre fuel tanks at 17 knots. Her water tanks store around 110,000 Litres of fresh water. She was built to Lloyds Register ✠ 100A1 Passenger Yacht, ShipRight(SDA, CM, ACS(B)) *IWS ✠ LMC UMS, DP(AM) classification society rules.

*Charter Blue Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Blue is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Blue Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Blue Photos

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Specification

M/Y Blue

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55m superyacht IRIS BLUE is delivered to her owners – the first deliver of 2024 for Heesen

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Written by Rachel Kelly

Fresh from her successful sea trials in the North Sea, 55m (180’5”) luxury yacht IRIS BLUE  from Heesen has now been delivered to her new owners. Her exterior was designed by Omega Architects with interiors by Luca Dini Design & Architecture .

Superyacht Iris Blue – Ruben Griffioen

The trials lasted for three days, and she met all the required specifications in challenging conditions with waves of up to 1.7m and winds gusting up to 28 knots. She proved highly responsive, instilling great confidence in her manoeuvrability and robustness.

Luxury deck features on board IRIS BLUE

Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, the designer of the original series, carried out the restyle for this hull and had this to say. “As much as we love our original design with the vertical windows, we felt it was time to make an evolutionary step,” says Frank. “We opted for a larger expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass, without mullions in the main saloon. Then, we took the opportunity to give a slightly more aggressive look to the profile by using continuous sheets of tinted glass. The horizontal lines stretch the optical length and balance the air draft. The result is beautiful: we retained the family look and feel but gave it an elegant touch.”

Motor yacht IRIS BLUE

The updated layout now offers a 78sqm owner’s stateroom with private terrace on the starboard side, a larger sundeck with a bar and spa plus a wide central atrium with main staircase and crew companionway.

Niels Vaessen, Heesen CEO, comments: “We have worked with Omega and Luca Dini on creating a yacht that meets the refined tastes of clients who appreciate Dutch quality with a shortened delivery time. IRIS BLUE is a wonderful addition to our fleet, and we wish the Owners and her crew many days of happy sailing”.

We echo the sentiment and wish her owner’s well on their travels.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "55m superyacht IRIS BLUE is delivered to her owners – the first deliver of 2024 for Heesen".

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Breaking news, all about the $40m bayesian yacht that capsized, leaving 6 dead and 1 still missing.

The massive superyacht Bayesian that sank off the coast of Italy on Monday won numerous awards for its sleek interior design — and was sold to its original owner for nearly $40 million.

The luxury sailing ship was carrying 22 people when it capsized and sank during a fierce storm early Monday.

The bodies of five of six missing passengers, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch , 69, have been recovered. His daughter, 18-year-old Hannah, is the only one of six known killed in the tragedy yet to be found, a source close to the rescue operation told Reuters.

The ship’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, has also been confirmed dead.

Divers continued searching the wreckage of the 184-foot-long, British-flagged vessel, previously called Salute, on Wednesday after discovering four of the bodies.

When it was built in 2008, the Bayesian had the tallest aluminum mast in the world, standing at 237 feet, earning it the award for best exterior styling at the World Superyacht Awards in 2009, the Telegraph reported.

The sprawling superyacht’s interior, decorated with sleek, minimalist furnishings created by Remi Tessier, has also won numerous awards.

The ship, which accommodated 12 guests, had a master bedroom and three double and two twin bedrooms.

It also featured beige sofas, dark wood furnishings, and a teak deck equipped with a large canvas awning to keep guests cool, according to the outlet.

Some of the ship’s styling, including thin brown pillars and miniature terra cotta sculptures, was inspired by Japanese culture.

What to know after a tornado sank the yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily:

• A superyacht capsized off the coast of Sicily after a tornado hit the area early Monday, killing six passengers and leaving one missing.
• British tech tycoon Mike Lynch was identified as one of the bodies pulled from the wreckage. His teenage daughter, Hannah, is still missing.
• Lynch — known as “Britain’s Bill Gates” — had invited guests from Clifford Chance, a legal firm that represented him, and Invoke Capital, his own company, on the voyage,  according to the Telegraph . 
• Security camera footage shot from 650 feet from where the  Bayesian sank Monday  shows it disappearing.
• A rare and unexpected “black swan” weather event may have led to the  Bayesian’s speedy demise , maritime experts say.

The extravagant ship won best interior at the International Superyacht Society Awards in 2008 and was also voted one of the best large sailing yachts at the 2009 World Superyacht Awards, according to the outlet.

The yacht’s original owner, John Groenewoud, a Dutch real estate developer, reportedly bought the ship for £30 million ($39 million) when it was built. In 2014, he sold the ship with an asking price of £27 million ($35 million).

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The Bayesian is currently owned by Revtom, a company that listed Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, as its legal owner.

It was named after the Bayesian statistical model that helps financial investors calculate risk — the subject of Lynch’s PhD that later helped him build his empire.

The vessel, operated by yachting company Camper & Nicholsons, had twin 965hp MTU engines, which gave it a range of 3,600 nautical miles at 13 to 15 knots (14 to 17 mph).

RSB Rigging carried out rig service works on the ship with Astilleros de Mallorca, a shipyard facility in Palma, in November 2016.

The Bayesian returned in September 2020 for scheduled service works, including having its mast removed and reinstalled.

Steve Branagh, managing director of RSB Rigging, told the Telegraph: “At this time, our deepest sympathies go out to the friends and families of all those affected by this dreadful tragedy.”

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Five bodies found inside superyacht that sank off Sicily

PORTICELLO, Sicily — Divers recovered four bodies Wednesday from inside a superyacht that sank in a sudden storm off Sicily , Salvatore Cocina, director of the island's Civil Protection Agency, confirmed to NBC News.

Cocina later confirmed to Sky News that a fifth body had been found and was being brought to shore. One passenger remains missing.

The identities of the bodies were not immediately released. Their recovery follows a dayslong search in the deep waters off Italy where British tech tycoon Mike Lynch  and several others were believed to be trapped in the hull. Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived.

The rest had been missing since early Monday, when the Bayesian was caught in the storm anchored off the coast of Porticello, a village near the Sicilian capital city, Palermo.

The body of the ship’s cook, identified as Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian Antiguan national, was recovered Monday. 

On Wednesday, NBC News witnessed what appeared to be at least three body bags being lifted from fire department boats after they pulled into port at Porticello. It was unclear whose bodies they were. Some were later transferred to ambulances and driven away from the dock.

Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah; Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, Judy; and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda, are also missing. 

The Bayesian is owned by a firm linked to Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who was among the survivors rescued by a nearby vessel after they got into a lifeboat.

Built by the Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi in 2008, the U.K.-registered yacht could carry 12 guests and a crew of up to 10, according to online specialist boating sites. Its nearly 250-foot mast is the tallest aluminum sailing mast in the world, according to CharterWorld Luxury Yacht Charters.  

Regularly described in U.K. media as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” Lynch was  acquitted of fraud by a San Francisco jury this year, stemming from the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion in 2011.

The Mediterranean sailing vacation was designed to be a celebration for Lynch, who brought Bloomer, who testified in his defense, and Morvillo, one of his U.S. lawyers, on the trip.

Lynch's co-defendant Stephen Chamberlain was not aboard the Bayesian, but in what appears to be a tragic coincidence, a  car struck and killed  him Saturday as he was jogging in a village about 68 miles north of London, local police said.

Claudio Lavanga and Claudia Rizzo reported from Porticello. Henry Austin reported from London.

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Claudia Rizzo is an Italy based journalist.

Henry Austin is a senior editor for NBC News Digital based in London.

Inside the multi-award-winning Bayesian superyacht

• The Bayesian superyacht sank this morning following a tornado near Palermo
• The vessel was carrying British tycoon Mike Lynch and his family
• It had the largest aluminium mast in the world, and could carry 12 guests  

The doomed luxury superyacht that sunk off the coast of Sicily today while carrying British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his family was a multi-award-winning vessel which had the tallest aluminium mast in the world.  

The luxury sailboat, the Bayesian, was docked off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, when a tornado hit the area just before 5am, wrecking the boat and causing it to rapidly disappear beneath the waves.

Lynch's wife Angela Bacares was among the fifteen people who were rescued from the yacht, which had been carrying ten crewmembers, the owner and 11 guests.

The Bayesian, which was previously known as the Salute, was a 56m long vessel built in Viareggio, Tuscany, by luxury shipmaker Perini Navi in 2008. It was 11.51m at its widest point. 

The ship's interior, designed in a Japanese style, was crafted by the Remi Tessier design house, and was last refitted in 2020.

At 75m, the vessel's mast was the second tallest fitted to any vessel in the world, and the tallest made of aluminium. 

It won several awards for its styling when it was first made, taking home the Best Exterior prize at the World Superyacht Awards in 2009, and the Best Interior at the International Superyacht Society Awards in 2008. 

It was also a finalist in the World Superyacht Awards' Best Sailing Yacht in the 45m+ size range in 2009. 

The Bayesian could hold up to 12 guests in six cabins, one master, three doubles and two twin rooms, as well as 10 crew members. 

Both the hull and the superstructure, the part above the main deck, were made from aluminium. 

According to KM Yatchbuilders, a Dutch shipmaker, aluminium is three times lighter than steel. On top of this, aluminium alloys do not rust, and yachts made from them are 'easy to repair.'

On top of the sails, the Bayesian was powered by two 8-cylinder 965hp engines made by German manufacturer MTU that are capable of running at 210rpm. 

This allowed the vessel to reach a top speed of 15 knots (17mph). This, combined with the 57,000 litre fuel tanks, means it had a range of up to 3,600 nautical miles. 

A one-year-old baby and her parents were among those rescued by a nearby sailboat, but six of the passengers - who include British, American and Canadian citizens - remain unaccounted for.

Divers are desperately searching the wreck of the Bayesian, which is on the sea bed 160ft beneath the water. Tragically, the body of a man - believed to be the boat's chef - was found floating alongside the vessel earlier today.

There are fears that those who are still missing became trapped in their cabins, with divers earlier reporting that they saw 'bodies through the portholes' of the yacht, according to Italian media.

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Who Was on the Sunken Yacht? Tech Mogul Mike Lynch, His Family and Friends.

Mr. Lynch, the former chief executive of the software firm Autonomy, who was acquitted on fraud charges in June, was with friends and family when the yacht went down in a severe storm.

• Share full article

By Michael J. de la Merced

Michael de la Merced reported on Mike Lynch’s career and legal battles over the course of 13 years across two continents.

A cruise on the Mediterranean Sea aboard a superyacht was supposed to be a celebratory event for the British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch , who was acquitted in June of fraud charges tied to the sale of his company, Autonomy, to the tech giant Hewlett-Packard.

Instead, it turned into a disaster after the yacht, a 180-foot boat called the Bayesian, sank off the coast of Sicily in a violent storm. Of the 22 people aboard, 15 were rescued, six bodies were recovered and one was still missing. Search operations at the site of the sunken yacht were continuing on Thursday.

Here’s what we know about the passengers.

Mike Lynch and his family

Mr. Lynch, 59, is a British software entrepreneur who had once been described as his country’s Bill Gates. He founded the software firm Autonomy, which analyzed clients’ unorganized data, and turned it into one of the most prominent British technology companies of its time. He became a widely known corporate leader, who advised David Cameron, the British prime minister at the time, and joined the board of the BBC.

In 2011, Mr. Lynch sold Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion, which was far above its market value, earning him hundreds of millions. But HP investors almost immediately soured on the transaction, and the American tech giant quickly fired its chief executive — and then Mr. Lynch.

HP later accused Mr. Lynch of misleading it about the state of Autonomy’s business, setting off a decade-long legal ordeal for the British executive, who denied the accusations. U.S. prosecutors charged him and other executives with fraud, and Autonomy’s chief financial officer was convicted in 2018.

Despite appeals to the British government, Mr. Lynch was extradited to the United States last year and was confined to a townhouse in San Francisco ahead of his criminal trial, which began in March. Facing the possibility of decades in prison if convicted, Mr. Lynch and another colleague were instead acquitted of all charges.

An official in Palermo, Sicily’s capital, said on Thursday that Mr. Lynch’s body had been recovered. His wife, Angela Bacares, 57, accompanied him on the yacht, and she was rescued on Monday when it sank. She was a consistent presence at his trial in the United States. Records show that she controlled Revtom, the company listed as the owner of the Bayesian.

Hannah Lynch, Mr. Lynch and Ms. Bacares’s 18-year-old daughter, was also on the yacht and remains missing.

The other guests

Jonathan Bloomer, 70, chair of Morgan Stanley’s international arm and the chairman of Hiscox, an insurance provider that trades on the London Stock Exchange, was on the yacht when it sank, along with his wife, Judy Bloomer, 71. Their bodies are thought to be among those recovered, but Italian authorities have not identified them.

Christopher J. Morvillo, 59, a New York-based partner at the international law firm Clifford Chance, was also on the yacht. A former federal prosecutor who comes from a family of prominent lawyers, Mr. Morvillo represented Mr. Lynch during his criminal trial in San Francisco. His wife, Neda, 57, was with him on the yacht. Their bodies are also assumed to be among those recovered.

“We are in shock and deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” a representative of Clifford Chance said in a statement.

Surviving passengers rescued from the yacht include Charlotte Golunski, a partner at Mr. Lynch’s venture firm, Invoke Capital; Ms. Golunski’s husband, James Emslie; and their one-year-old daughter Sophie. Also rescued were Ayla Ronald, a lawyer at Clifford Chance, and her partner, Matthew Fletcher.

The yacht had a crew of 10, and nine were rescued. The body of the chef, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered from the water, the Sicilian Civil Protection Department said.

Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting, and Kitty Bennett and Susan Campbell Beachy contributed research.

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced

Sailing yachts like Mike Lynch's are 'unsinkable bodies', CEO of boat manufacturing firm says

Bayesian superyacht which sank off Italy is an "unsinkable" vessel, Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, said.

By Ashna Hurynag, news correspondent and Eleonora Chiarella, producer

Thursday 22 August 2024 15:27, UK

Vessels like Mike Lynch's stricken superyacht are "unsinkable", according to the chief executive of the firm which makes and sells them.

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, told Sky News there are no flaws with the design and construction of the Bayesian superyacht which capsized in a storm off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, on Monday.

Five bodies were found by divers on Wednesday - taking the number of confirmed dead to six.

The Italian Sea Group also owns the firm that built British tech tycoon Mr Lynch's Bayesian, and Mr Costantino said the vessels "are the safest in the most absolute sense".

"Being the manufacturer of Perini [boats], I know very well how the boats have always been designed and built," he said.

"And as Perini is a sailing ship... sailing ships are renowned to be the safest ever."

He said their structure and keel made them "unsinkable bodies".

Read more on this story: Why search of superyacht wreck has been so difficult Hero mum 'slept with baby on deck when storm sank yacht'

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Mr Costantino said news of the sinking "put me in a state of sadness on one side and of disbelief on the other".

"This incident sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact," he said.

It is understood Italian prosecutors investigating the incident are continuing to hold interviews with the survivors.

On Tuesday they questioned the captain for more than two hours to help reconstruct what happened and provide useful technical details.

Four British inspectors are also in Porticello and have begun a preliminary assessment of events.

It is understood they will look at all relevant aspects of the incident, including the design, stability, and operation of the vessel. They will also examine the effects of the weather conditions experienced.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Twenty-two people were on board the vessel, 15 of whom were rescued - including Briton Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter Sofia.

Divers will resume efforts on Thursday morning to bring ashore a body they found earlier. One more person remains missing.

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Weeks Before Mike Lynch Died in Yacht Sinking, He Spoke About Making the Most of 'Second Life'

Lynch was looking forward to "making up for lost time" with his family, a reporter who spoke to the businessman about his acquittal tells PEOPLE

Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty

British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch spoke about having a new lease on life and how he was looking forward to spending time with his family in the weeks before his death, according to a journalist who spoke with Lynch about his life after being acquitted of fraud.

On Thursday, Aug. 22, an Italian government official said Lynch's body had been retrieved  from the luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily  days earlier, while his family and friends were celebrating his legal victory.

PEOPLE previously reported that  five bodies had been found  in the days after the  Bayesian  went into the water.

Although the Italian coast guard has not formally identified the bodies that have been recovered, an official with the Italian interior ministry,  confirmed to Reuters  that Lynch was one of the victim's found while his  daughter Hannah remained missing .

The father-daughter pair had been among six passengers missing in the aftermath of the sinking, while Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, was one of 15 people who were rescued.

The remaining victims reported as missing were Christopher Morvillo , a New York City attorney, his wife, jewelry designer Neda Morvillo; as well as Chairman of Morgan Stanley International Jonathan Bloomer, and his wife, Judy .

The body of victim, identified as chef Recaldo Thomas , was recovered shortly after the yacht went down.

In the weeks before the ill-fated trip, Lynch's life changed after being acquitted of multiple fraud and conspiracy charges following a lengthy legal battle.

Speaking with The Sunday Times in an interview that was published on July 27, the father of two said that when the verdict came in, it felt like he had been given a "second life."

But, he added, "The question is, what do you want to do with it?”

Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty

In 2018, federal prosecutors in California indicted Lynch on several counts of securities fraud and conspiracy, per the  Associated Press  and the  BBC . The indictment related to the 2011 sale of Autonomy, a business software company he founded, for $11 billion to Hewlett Packard, per the AP.

At the time, the sale made him one of the richest people in the U.K., according to CBS News .

Lynch, who faced spending up to 25 years in U.S. prison, spent years fighting extradition, according to the BBC. Last May, he was finally extradited from Britain and then spent 13 months under house arrest while waiting for the trial to begin, per The Sunday Times .

“If this had gone the wrong way, it would have been the end of life as I have known it in any sense," Lynch told the outlet , noting at another point that he also had "various medical things that would have made it difficult to survive."

The trial began in 2024 and in June, he was acquitted on all 15 counts.

As he wondered what he would do with his freedom, he even told the newspaper he was interested in creating a British equivalent to the American nonprofit the Innocence Project .

Graham Barclay/Bloomberg via Getty

Speaking with PEOPLE before Lynch's body was recovered, Danny Fortson — who interviewed Lynch for the  The Sunday Times  — said that he felt the businessman was "excited and very thankful," but also still "struggling to accept" his new reality after such a sudden change.

He was also looking forward to "making up for lost time" with his family.

"This case, especially as it got closer to trial, became all-encompassing and so he missed out on a lot of stuff with his daughters," the journalist added.

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

According to The Sunday Times , Hannah was set to study poetry at Oxford while her older sister, 21, was studying physics at Imperial College, just like her father.

Hannah's disappearance left her former school Latymer Upper School in London "incredibly shocked."

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE before her body was found, a spokesperson said, "our thoughts are with their family and everyone involved as we await further updates."

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Body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch is among those recovered from yacht wreckage, officials say

PORTICELLO, Sicily -- The Italian coast guard said Thursday the body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch is among those recovered off the coast of Sicily from the wreckage of a superyacht whose builders had called unsinkable.

One woman remains missing. She has not been identified, but Hannah Lynch, Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, is reportedly unaccounted for. The family had been celebrating his recent acquittal on fraud charges with the people who defended him at trial in the United States.

Five others were recovered by rescue crews following Monday's tragedy.

The Bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged yacht, went down in a storm early Monday as it was moored about a kilometer (half a mile) offshore. Civil protection officials said they believe the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout, and sank quickly.

Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor's Office investigators were collecting evidence for a criminal investigation, which they opened immediately after the tragedy despite no formal suspects having been publicly identified.

The chief executive of The Italian Sea Group, which owns the Bayesian's manufacturer, told AP in an interview on Thursday that superyachts like these are "designed to be unsinkable."

"And it is unsinkable not only because it is designed in this way, but also because it is a sailing ship and sailing ships are the safest ever," CEO Giovanni Costantino said.

Costantino added that "obviously they must not hit the rocks violently, discarding the hull, and they must not take in water," suggesting the second possibility was the most likely in this case.

Investigators are now looking at why the Bayesian, built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, sank while a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed. Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived by escaping in a lifeboat, including a mother who reported holding her 1-year-old baby over the waves to save her. They were rescued by the sailboat Sir Robert Baden Powell.

The sailboat's captain, Karsten Borner, said his craft sustained minimal damage - the frame of a sun awning broke - even with winds that he estimated had reached 12 on the Beaufort wind scale, the highest hurricane-strength force on the scale.

He said he had remained anchored with his engines running to try to maintain the ship's position as the forecast storm rolled in.

"Another possibility is to heave anchor before the storm and to run downwind at open sea," Borner said in a text message. But he said that might not have been possible for the Bayesian, given its 75-meter (246-foot) tall mast.

"If there was a stability problem, caused by the extremely tall mast, it would not have been better at open sea," he said.

Yachts like the Bayesian are required to have watertight compartments that are specifically designed to prevent a rapid, catastrophic sinking even when some parts fill with water.

Lynch is the only person confirmed dead; the other bodies have not been formally identified by the Italian coast guard.

Besides Hannah Lynch, those missing are Christopher Morvillo, one of Lynch's U.S. lawyers, and his wife, Neda; Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley's London-based investment banking subsidiary, and his wife, Judy.

The body of chef Recaldo Thomas was the first to be recovered, on Monday. His death was confirmed by his family.

Divers have struggled to find the bodies in the yacht's hull on the seabed 50 meters (164 feet) underwater.

"We would need a crystal ball to know when we'll be able to find the next body," said Luca Cari, spokesperson for the fire rescue service.

"It's very difficult to move inside the wreckage. Moving just one meter can take up to 24 hours," Cari said.

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CEO of company that made sunken yacht in ‘disbelief’ as he claims vessel was ‘unsinkable’

The 543 tonne yacht was dubbed 'the safest in the most absolute sense'.

Niamh Shackleton

The CEO of The Italian Sea Group has spoken out following the devastating sinking of a superyacht carrying 22 people off the coast of Italy.

The Italian Sea Group own the firm Perini Navi, who built the Bayesian - the 543 tonne yacht that sank earlier this week - in 2008.

The 56-meter long vessel, which boasts the world's tallest aluminium mast, was refurbished in 2020.

On Monday (August 19), the Bayesian was out at sea in Sicily when a sudden and powerful storm struck, causing the yacht to capsize.

The storm was so violent that it caused waterspouts, or rotating columns of air and mist, to appear over the sea, BBC News reports .

15 passengers onboard went on to be saved by emergency services, but sadly six people have been confirmed to have died while one other remains missing.

One body that's been identified is that of 'British Bill Gates', Mike Lynch.

It was confirmed today (August 22) that the tech tycoon's body had been recovered , but his 18-year-old daughter Hannah still remains missing.

As the search for the remaining missing passengers continues, The Italian Sea Group CEO Giovanni Costantino has spoken out and labeled the superyacht as 'unsinkable'.

"Being the manufacturer of Perini [boats], I know very well how the boats have always been designed and built," he told Sky News.

"And as Perini is a sailing ship... sailing ships are renowned to be the safest ever."

Costantino added that their structure and keel made them 'unsinkable bodies'.

Addressing Monday's tragedy, the millionaire went on: "This incident sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact."

He added that the sinking 'put me in a state of sadness on one side and of disbelief on the other'.

CCTV footage of the the storm hitting the yacht has been released where the vessel is seen sinking beneath the waves in a matter of a seconds.

The video confirmed that 'nothing could be done' for the yacht and its passengers because it 'disappeared in a very short time'.

The captain of the ship (who survived the ordeal) has since admitted that he didn't see the storm coming before it hit the superyacht.

It's unclear if anything could have been done had he known the storm was approaching, however.

The yacht was moored about a half-mile offshore off Porticello near Palermo at the time the storm hit around 5am local time.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.

Topics:  News , Travel , World News , Bayesian yacht

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

@ niamhshackleton

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