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Step Inside the Black Pearl Yacht

Care for the environment is at the very heart of this game-changing superyacht's design.

By Emma Al-Mousawi

Standing at 350-ft, Black Pearl is the world’s largest sailing yacht and is estimated to have cost in excess of $200m. The unique vessel was garnering global attention long before her maiden voyage thanks to her revolutionary design, eco-credentials and technological advancements, all of which have set a new industry standard and seen her scoop up numerous awards for innovation. 

Delivered in 2018 by Dutch shipyard Oceanco, the three-mast yacht is said to be the realization of a radical vision “to build something that was out of the ordinary in every way,” according to the ship’s captain Chris Gartner.

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This unmistakable vessel is not the product of one designer but in fact the result of an ambitious cross-industry collaboration between some of international yachting’s greatest creative minds. UK-based Ken Freivokh Design (responsible for the iconic Maltese Falcon ) and Italian studio Nuvolari Lenard (behind Steven Speilberg’s Seven Seas yacht) teamed up to create her striking exterior.

However, it is not just her aesthetics that sets her apart, but also her utilization of the very latest green technology, which according to Oceanco, has rendered her capable of crossing the Atlantic without using any fuel. “How?” one might ask. 

Let’s start with her three imposing 230-ft DynaRig carbon masts designed by Dykstra Naval Architects. The innovative structure sees her sails subdivided into smaller sections that can be set or furled at the touch of a button.

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“The key to the DynaRig’s effectiveness is just how easy it makes sailing Black Pearl rather than relying on propulsion from fossil fuels,” says Gartner. “With a single person able to set 2,900-meters-sq (31, 215-sq-ft) of sail area in just under seven minutes, we can quickly and simply turn off the main engines and harness the power of the wind, which costs nothing and is better for the environment.”

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In fact, under sail, the yacht can reach an incredible 30 knots and regenerate enough energy to power the boat’s full house load, removing the need to run generators. 

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Black Pearl is also powered by an advanced hybrid propulsion system that Oceanco designed in collaboration with specialist consultancy BMT Nigel Gee. Gartner explains how the complex system generates electricity through the vessel’s spinning propellers: “Her hybrid propulsion installation has two shaft lines, each with a controllable pitch propeller.

In normal sailing mode, the propellers are set to minimize drag and prevent the shafts from turning. But when we want to harvest some of that kinetic energy to be stored and used onboard, the pitch of the propellers is altered to create a lifting force as the water passes over them. This rotates the shafts, which are connected to a permanent magnet electric propulsion motor, effectively converting the wind energy that is moving Black Pearl through the water into electrical energy.”

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Her interiors – which remain a closely guarded secret – were also designed by Nuvolari Lenard and French architect Gerard Villate. Other than that, what we do know is that she has six cabins providing accommodation for up to 12 guests, including a master suite and two VIP cabins. Black Pearl’s total interior volume is a roomy 2,700 GT, significantly overshadowing the world’s second-largest sailing yacht the EOS at 1,500 GT. 

No actual pictures of the inside of the vessel have ever been released but according to Nuvolari Lenard, the interior is a celebration of Louis XVI French design (think elaborate neoclassical touches like wood carvings, gold accents and sumptuous fabrics) as well as some art deco touches.

The Italian design studio has also shared a handful of interior renderings to give us a hint of what may lie inside the Black Pearl yacht. These include an elaborately decorated dining room that can seat up to 16 guests. We would expect to see this same level of grandeur throughout her accommodation. 

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Black Pearl is said to have a wealth of recreational spaces spread across her three decks, though due to her secretive nature, little information has been published as to what delights she offers her passengers. Aerial photographs reveal a pool aft of the main deck as well as a hot tub aft of the upper deck. There is also a fold-down platform at the aft of the yacht which is likely to transform into a full-beam beach club. 

Ken Freivokh Design features a mysterious unnamed 328-ft-plus DynaRig yacht on its website which some may speculate could give us an insight into the luxury facilities on board the vessel. The unidentified yacht includes a substantial toy and tender garage housing two limousine tenders, a hydroplane and a range of utility tenders and jet skis.

It is also said to feature a helipad and an extending forward deck that can be used for entertaining guests as well as spotting dolphins. If that wasn’t enough, other out-of-this-world amenities include a glass-fronted swimming pool and an aquarium. Could Black Pearl host similar facilities? It’s anyone’s guess. 

A true sailing vessel, the Black Pearl yacht is built for adventure and her lower carbon footprint means her voyages are much kinder to the planet than those of a typical motor yacht of similar stature. 

[See also: Style and Sustainability: The New Sunreef 80 Eco Catamaran]

Emma Al-Mousawi

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BLACK PEARL Yacht – Huge $200M Sailing Yacht

Taking the title of the second largest sailing yacht in the world, BLACK PEARL yacht is a site to behold.

Cruising across the water with her stunning black exterior, the Black Pearl yacht certainly lives up to her name.

BLACK PEARL yacht interior

BLACK PEARL has a spacious interior, almost like a large motor yacht. She has a glass elevator, a spa pool, and a hot tub for the people on board to enjoy. There is also a beach club cinema.

Designed by Nuvolari Lenard , in collaboration with architect Gerard Villate, the interior is not very well known. No pictures of the interior have ever been released.

We do know that the interior design was a tribute to the design of Louis XVI, with ornate wooden details and gold accents.

There are also some influences from the Art Deco era. We also know that there is a grand dining room, set up to host up to 16 dinner guests.

Specifications

The Black Pearl yacht has an overall length of 106,7 meters (35 ft). The beam is 15 meters (49,3 ft) and has a top speed of 15 knots.

The cruising speed is 12 knots. Her sails can be raised in just seven seconds with the push of a button, and she can cross the Atlantic using under a liter of fossil fuel.

She is economical in other aspects too. Regenerative power under sail, for example.

The late owner wanted to have less of an impact on the environment and set up several environmentally friendly solutions.

The Black Pearl yacht has room for up to twelve guests in her six staterooms.

The Black Pearl yacht’s exterior was designed by Nuvolari Lenard, the same as the interior. In collaboration with Ken Freivokh Design, they created her distinct look.

The black color covers most of her exterior, and her sails have a mechanism that allows them to be folded, in order to pass through the Panama canal.

She also possesses the largest DynaRig in the world. In fact, she has three of them.

There is some mystery regarding the different features of her exterior, same as for the interior, but thanks to aerial photographs there is known to be a hot tub aft on one of the three decks, and a pool aft on the main deck.

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Oceanco delivers the 106.7m Black Pearl the largest dynarig sailing yacht in the world

The 106.7m (350ft) three-masted sailing yacht Black Pearl is unlike any yacht the world has ever seen. This unique and complex vessel is the realization of a discerning Owner’s vision. She is the result of an elaborate and successful collaboration on the part of an international group of designers, engineers, naval architects, builders, and project managers.

The designers Ken Freivokh Design, Nuvolari Lenard and Villate Design all played a significant role in Black Pearl ’s design evolution. Dykstra Naval Architects designed Black Pearl ’s three 70 meter (230ft) DynaRig carbon masts and sailing system. The sail area is subdivided into smaller lesser-loaded sails and they can be set or furled by pushing a button. Astonishingly, all 2,900 square meter of sails can be set in 7 minutes.

BMT, Nigel Gee collaborated with Oceanco to create Black Pearl ’s hybrid propulsion system as well as other onboard systems such as waste heat recovery.

Since her launch, Black Pearl has proven to be a new generation landmark sailing yacht with a unique identity. Not only is she the largest sailing yacht in the world, but her unique features such as the state of the art DynaRig system, single level engine room, a hybrid propulsion installation and regeneration mode when under sail – she is set to turn heads the world over – and for decades to come.

Technical Specifications

Type: Steel Hull and Aluminum Superstructure Length: 106.7m / 350ft Beam: 15m / 49ft Speed: 17.5 knots / up to 30 knots under sail Exterior Design: Ken Freivokh Design / Nuvolari Lenard Interior Design: Ken Freivokh Design / Nuvolari Lenard / Villate Design Naval Architecture: Oceanco / Dykstra Naval Architects Owner’s Rep: Derek Munro – Yacht Consultancy

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S/Y Black Pearl Captain On the World's Greenest Superyacht

By Jenna Mehdi

The iconic 106.7m Oceanco superyacht Black Pearl has been dubbed the greenest and most technologically advanced sailing yacht in the world, not to mention the largest. We caught up with Black Pearl’s Captain Justin Christou to hear more about the innovative features and practices of the yacht justifying this title, and the remarkable benchmark she is serving to the yachting industry and beyond.

When we catch Justin on the phone on a grey Friday afternoon, the captain is enjoying a quiet moment amidst an intense few days at the Damen ship repair yard in Vlissingen. With Black Pearl due back in the water in just a couple of days and preparations set for the Owner to come onboard, Justin 's enthusiasm is already tangible as we begin our conversation. 

‘One of the things we love doing most, after sailing Black Pearl, is talking about her, ’ he says. Justin has spent the last two and a half years at the helm of Black Pearl with his co-Captain Chris Gartner, an experience he describes after an illustrious career sailing everything from classic yachts to motor yachts as ‘the feather in the cap’.   

The first topic on the agenda is fuel saving. Known for her ability to sail transatlantic without a drop of fuel, Justin is full of praise for the Black Pearl’s acclaimed Dynarig sail system. ‘These rigs are amazing. We don’t have these large triangular main sails which are near impossible to reef unless you have all hands on deck. When we’re sailing, we put sails in and out almost hourly - it’s unbelievable.’ 

The benefits of the Dynarig go far beyond ease of use, however. ‘What that means is we’re constantly sailing with the perfect sail plan for wind conditions,’ Justin goes on. ‘We’re never hemmed in by our sail plan to be forced to turn the engine on.’ 

The significance of this is huge, allowing the sailing yacht to reach her full potential regardless of conditions. And in case of long stretches of light weather, Black Pearl has a backup plan. 

The superyacht makes use of an intelligent regeneration system by trailing propellers in the water and producing electricity through the gear box. ‘In essence it’s a shaft generator. As we’re sailing we can use that electricity to run the house load, or if there is more we can use it to charge the Energy Storage System (ESS).’

The result is that Black Pearl can claim to be entirely self-sufficient. Regenerating energy to run onboard operations or propel the yacht in the case of light wind conditions, there is virtually no need to use a drop of fuel thanks to a highly intelligent Energy Management System (EMS).

The Owner’s insistence on sustainability as an in-built feature is apparent throughout. Not only is Black Pearl able to produce enough energy to run fully self-sustainably, not a drop of that energy is wasted. A comprehensive heat recovery system has been designed to convert excess heat from systems such as the generators and main engines to elsewhere on the yacht. ‘ We take the heat from any system that produces it, run it through the system and use it for a multitude of different things, from heating accommodation to the jacuzzi and showers.’ 

Incredibly though, it does not stop there. Justin and his crew are vigilant in their efforts to implement greener practices onboard Black Pearl, from a strict zero policy towards single-use plastics to the trialling of new ‘eco-products’. ‘Where we can, we use the highest concentrate and largest size containers available,’ he explains. ‘ The interior team recently went to an Ecover store - they take all of our containers and refill everything down there.’ 

‘The products themselves are also all proven to be friendly to marine life. We have a zero discharge sewage treatment plant onboard which is sensitive to PH levels and chemicals. The cleaning products we use have to be friendly to the sewage treatment plant and ultimately the environment.’

Evidently Black Pearl’s operations are in safe, sustainable hands. We were curious to know whether Justin had a sense of the same approach from elsewhere in the industry.

‘One thing we really see is marinas being super keen to recycle,’ he says. ‘It’s great when a marina gets a hold of us and wants us in their marina because they’re trialling their new green practices.’ 

Justin tells us of one traditionally commercial facility in Amsterdam, Eggerding Terminal, where the yacht passed through just last week. The facility, which has recently installed over 7000 solar panels to power its new shore power system, has traditionally catered to commercial ships but is looking to capitalise on the growing strength of Amsterdam’s refit sector by appealing to large yachts. ‘ They were super enthusiastic to have us hooked up to their shore power system. It’s a huge statement to say not only are we green, but we’re attracting greener vessels too .’

Delivered by renowned shipyard Oceanco in 2018, Black Pearl certainly serves as the finest form of validation for the sustainable agenda. But has the superyacht inspired real change amongst other owners in the industry? 

‘We are constantly getting calls from captains whose owners are interested in refitting their old sail boats or building new sailboats. They want to know if they can exchange their battery banks for our lightweight ESS, how it is integrated in and so on.’ 

‘But what is really exciting is bridging the gap between industries. We have heard from the likes of Greenpeace as well as freight ships, to see how the Dynarigs work and if they are feasible for them. ’ 

The significance of this, that Black Pearl can ‘give back’ to the commercial industry for which the Dynarig was first designed, holds meaning for our entire industry. The owner himself, Justin adds, is extremely invested in this goal. 

The example set by Black Pearl would never have been possible without the ambitions of her visionary Owner, as well as his realistic understanding of compromise. ‘ He’s built a green vessel and he wants to operate it as such, ’ says Justin. ‘When we have direction of where to go next, the time given for us to do it is very generous. He realises as a sailing ship we’re at the mercy of the wind gods, and will encourage us as much as possible not to turn the engines on. ’ 

‘It’s taken a lot of hard work from a number of key players, ’ Justin adds. ‘ Derek Munro from Divergent Yachting has managed the build from day one, for example, and still works very closely with us to ensure Black Pearl is the industry leader in green practices.’ 

Of course, the example set by Black Pearl would never have been possible without serious effort and research from a host of dedicated players such as  Moran Yacht & Ship , involved at the start of the project, who participated in implementing the green technologies of the yacht.

This attitude of hard work and dedication has come to define the team at the helm of Black Pearl. Justin and his crew are not interested in the easiest or quickest means of getting the job done, firm in the knowledge that setting an example requires intelligent solutions and determination. It is testament to the owner’s vision and Captain and crew belief in it that Black Pearl continues to be such a wide-reaching source of inspiration today.

"We take the heat from any system that produces it, run it through the system and use it for a multitude of different things, from heating accommodation to the jacuzzi and showers." Justin Christou, Captain S/Y Black Pearl

"We take the heat from any system that produces it, run it through the system and use it for a multitude of different things, from heating accommodation to the jacuzzi and showers."

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By SuperyachtNews 22 Dec 2020

Black Pearl: paving the way to a sustainable future

Captain of 107m black pearl, chris gartner, reveals the yacht’s impact on the superyacht market since its delivery….

Delivered in 2018, the 107m  Oceanco Black Pearl has been lauded as a trailblazing vessel, featuring forward-thinking technological systems with a focus on sustainability. In a conversation with SuperyachtNews.com , Captain Chris Gartner discusses this unique project’s impact on the market, which he prefers to refer to as an ‘auxiliary-powered sailing ship’ because of the stigma attached to sailing yachts in the superyacht industry.

While it may be true that such a stigma exists – deriving perhaps from a lack of interesting sailing yacht projects and a slowdown in new build orders – it would be difficult to reconcile Black Pearl with the same sector. In addition to the vessel’s sheer size, its array of innovative features and systems, which are already proving to be invaluable to on-board operations, set it apart from any other vessel on the water today. As well as power regeneration, cutting-edge power management, efficient hull insulation and waste-heat recovery, Black Pearl ’s most notable feature is perhaps its three 70m DynaRig carbon masts.

Inspired by the Maltese Falcon , Black Pearl ’s DynaRig concept was created in consultation with the Falcon ’s original design team, but as an evolution rather than a replica. “We are version 10-plus of the DynaRig,” explains Captain Gartner. “ Black Pearl ’s rig is on another level due to the fact that it has been built with modifications that allow the mast to turn more efficiently, quickly and quietly, and because the systems have been sped up, the boat is much more manoeuvrable. We are also able to hinge down the top three metres of each rig to reduce our air draft, which allows to go under obstacles such as bridges.”

The yacht’s hybrid propulsion system and regeneration mode when under sail allows a significant reduction to its overall carbon footprint. “One of the coolest things about the boat is we can drag the controlled-pitch propellers through the water while sailing, which in turn generates power that goes into our battery storage system on board,” adds Captain Gartner. “We can then cover the house loads through wind power, thus allowing us to shut down all of our diesel-powered generators and engines and run fossil free.”

“One of the coolest things about the boat is we can drag the controlled-pitch propellers through the water while sailing, which in turn generates power that goes into our battery storage system on board...”

Because of the fuel savings that the regeneration system provides, as well as the DyanRig’s ease of use, the Black Pearl has done a lot of sailing since delivery – Captain Gartner estimates around 80 per cent of the time. In fact, on their last trip from Gibraltar to Amsterdam, the yacht sailed 100 per cent of the way from Cadiz to Amsterdam and we were able to regenerate when the conditions allowed.

Most of the technology on board Black Pearl stems from the owner’s commitment to green technology and moving the yachting industry forward. While no new technologies were developed, existing technologies have been taken from different industries and adapted to yachting, and this of course comes with certain challenges. “Anytime you have a brand-new system, you also have trial and error,” says Captain Gartner. “So, we have been working on the systems to try and perfect them and it just gets better and better. Between the DynaRig, propulsion and energy storage systems, it’s really mind blowing and everything is working so well that I know it is going to be the way forward for the industry.” 

Since Black Pearl ’s delivery, Captain Gartner has perceived the market’s reaction to be one of mostly curiosity and captivation. “She really has delivered a statement to the world,” he reflects. “Due to her size, hull shape, rig, efficiency, power regeneration and all the other features that reduce our carbon footprint, the whole industry has been taken aback.” 

While Captain Gartner hopes that Black Pearl will inspire other owners to embrace sustainability and focus on the importance of efficiency in the future, he believes that the yacht’s influence is already evident in the industry. “People are seeing an example of a very large yacht being used in a very efficient way and that wind power can be a good and additional solution to reducing carbon footprint, along with all the other systems we have developed,” he concludes. “It is possible to make these boats efficient and we are leading the way in showing the industry how to do this. I am very excited to see other boats following suit.”

Image courtesy of Black Pearl.

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Second largest sailing yacht in the world 107m BLACK PEARL joins the charter fleet

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By Nina Done   13 January 2023

It has just been announced that the iconic 107m (350ft) sailing yacht BLACK PEARL is ready to welcome her first charter guests on board from the A-lister-approved superyacht hub of St Barts . Now you too can be among the first to experience the ground-breaking yacht for yourselves on a Caribbean yacht charter  this winter.

Delivered in 2018 by the renowned Dutch yard Oceanco , the award-winning tri-deck  sailing yacht has been hailed as an innovative triumph, with its iconic DynaRig sailing system, high-tech design and wave-piercing bow, and has been turning heads ever since.

BLACK PEARL is one of the largest and most ecological sailing yachts in the world, capable of crossing the entire Atlantic burning just 20 liters of fuel thanks in part to her DynaRig sailing system and an innovative propulsion system that harvests kinetic energy under sail.

Her striking exteriors are from the boards of the illustrious Nuvolari Lenard and Ken Freivokh, while her naval architecture comes courtesy of Dyksra Architects, who previously worked on the renowned sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON , from which she drew her inspiration.

Her interiors, penned by Valentina Zannier and architect Gerard Villate, have long been kept under wraps, but now they have been revealed to showcase a luxurious palette with design cues from the neoclassic Louis XIV period, characterized by elegance and refinement, with touches of gilded opulence throughout. So, as sleek and slightly menacing as she may seem from the outside, she is the very essence of sumptuous luxury on the inside.

Sailing yacht BLACK PEARL provides accommodation for up to 12 charter guests across 5 beautifully-appointed suites.

On board highlights include vast alfresco deck spaces replete with an array of sun loungers, a Jacuzzi and bar for the perfect daytime hangout while on charter, as well as a 4,000-bottle wine cellar and tasting room, and a beach club featuring ceiling lights mimicking the night sky constellations for an added ethereal touch. She also boasts a wealth of convivial social and dining areas for her guests to enjoy while on board. 

If you’d like to learn more about chartering sailing yacht BLACK PEARL, please contact a recommended yacht charter broker . If you're interested in renting a yacht of a similar calibre, browse the complete fleet of Oceanco yachts available to charter .

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Expert calls superyacht sinking a 'black swan' event as search continues off sicily.

The sinking of a luxury superyacht off the coast of Sicily was a "black swan" event, a maritime expert said, referring to an unforeseen occurrence that has extreme consequences. Aug. 21, 2024

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Superyacht sinks latest: Investigators reveal where bodies were found as probe looks at 'crew's responsibility'

Italian officials revealed at a news conference there could be "a question of manslaughter" as they opened a shipwreck investigation and said the probe is also looking at the "crew's responsibility".

Saturday 24 August 2024 18:33, UK

• Superyacht sinking

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• Prosecutor: There 'could be a question of manslaughter'
• Probe 'concentrating' on crew's responsibility
• Seven bodies recovered after five-day search of superyacht wreckage off Sicily
• Saturday's papers pay tribute to youngest victim Hannah Lynch
• Hannah's sister pays tribute to 'my little angel'
• Explained: Inside the superyacht | What challenges have faced divers?
• Eyewitness: Sombre scenes greet rescue teams as final body is brought ashore
• Live reporting by Niamh Lynch

We're ending our live coverage for this evening but here is a recap of what we know:

• Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation into the Bayesian sinking;
• Officials have revealed more details on their investigation and the difficult five-day rescue mission;
• The six bodies found during the search in recent days were all in cabins on the left-hand - and highest - side of the ship. Five were found in the first cabin and the sixth was found in the third;
• Prosecutors said the six passengers were most likely asleep when the boat sank;
• The probe is now focusing on the crew and their responsibilities, with the captain set to undergo more questioning.

Monday 19 August

The Bayesian yacht, flying a British flag, sinks at around 5am local time when the area was hit by a tornado.

Fifteen people are rescued from the 56 metre vessel - including a mother and baby - but another seven remain missing.

One body, later confirmed to be the yacht's chef Recaldo Thomas, is found near the wreck.

It emerges that British technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah are among six people that remain missing.

Tuesday 20 August

The search continues for the six tourists missing.

It is reported that among those missing are Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.

Police divers try to reach the hull of the ship, resting at a depth of 50 metres.

Italy's fire brigade Vigili del Fuoco say early inspections of the wreck were "unsuccessful" because of limited access to the bridge and furniture obstructing passages.

The operation is later described as "complex", with divers limited to 12-minute underwater shifts.

Tributes pour in for Mr Thomas, with his friend Gareth Williams saying: "I can talk for everyone that knew him when I say he was a well-loved, kind human being with a calm spirit."

Wednesday 21 August

The search for the six people unaccounted for enters a third day, with crews carrying out inspections of the yacht's internal hull.

A team of four British inspectors from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) arrive in Porticello to look at the site of the sinking.

A helicopter is drafted in to help with the search effort and remotely controlled underwater vehicles are being used, with naval units and cave divers also taking part in the search.

Five bodies are found inside the yacht on Wednesday afternoon. Only four of them are brought to shore.

Body bags are seen being taken to Porticello in the afternoon where dozens of emergency services staff wait.

Searches finish for the day just before 7.30pm.

Thursday 22 August

The search resumes for the remaining missing person.

The body of the fifth missing person, found but not recovered the previous day, is brought to shore.

A fire service boat with flashing blue lights returns with a blue body bag to the port of Porticello just after 8.45am local time on Thursday.

Tributes pour in for Mr Lynch and Mr and Mrs Bloomer after they are identified as having died.

The search is called off at around 8pm in Sicily, with divers expected to begin again at 6.30am on Friday.

Friday 23  August

The search continues for the final person missing from the wreck of the Bayesian, Hannah Lynch.

Vincenzo Zagarola, of the Italian Coastguard, says the search for Hannah has not been "easy or quick", comparing the sunken yacht to an "18-storey building full of water".

The coastguard confirms in the late morning that her body has been found.

A green body bag is brought to the port of Porticello from the site of the sinking.

A spokesperson announces on behalf of the Lynch family that they are "devastated" and "in shock" after the deaths of Mike and Hannah.

Hannah's sister Esme pays tribute to her "little angel".

Saturday 24 August

A press conference is held in the court of an Italian town, Termini Imerese.

Public prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio tells reporters that his office has opened an initial investigation against unknown persons into manslaughter and negligent shipwreck.

As the focus now turns to the manslaughter investigation, here's another reminder of the seven victims of the sinking and the 15 people who survived. 

A close friend of the Lynch family has added to the chorus of tributes for British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, who died in Monday's superyacht sinking.

Susannah Gurdun, who lives in Suffolk, recalled being "daunted" when she first met Mr Lynch at a dinner party, before discovering he was "so much more than the corporate cliche".

"He was riveting.  He was funny, and kind, and endlessly interesting; capable of talking about anything and everything," she said.

Ms Gardun said the businessman also had a "thrilling ability" to make complicated subjects "accessible to those of us less blessed with a science acumen".

"In particular, he was wonderful with children.  I will never forget hearing him explain to a group of them - including our ten year old son - the physics of why the sky went pink at sunset," she said.

She went on describe Mr Lynch as a "true genius" and "phenomenal creative".

Ms Gardun said his daughter Hannah was also showing "serious literary promise", and added that it was "beyond tragic that we will never know where her own particular brilliance might have led".

"I still feel blessed to have shared that time with them in Spain.  Not just because I witnessed Mike’s incredible storytelling; but because I was given a chance of understanding what that moment said about all four of them as a united vibrant loving family," she said.

"He was an extraordinary human being and it was - truly - a privilege to have known him."

A yacht crew member who survived the sinking has paid tribute to Hannah Lynch, calling her a "diamond in a sea of stars".

Sasha Murray, chief stewardess of the Bayesian, has released a statement after divers recovered the final missing body from the wreckage, which is believed to be 18-year-old Hannah.

"Those who knew her will know that Hannah was a diamond in a sea of stars," she said.

"Bright, beautiful and always shining. What most people may not have seen was the extraordinarily strong, deep and loving relationship she shared with her parents, whom she adored more than anything. 

"While swimming with them she often said, if anything ever happened she would save them. 

"I have no doubt that the Irish, Latina fire that burns in her soul kept that spirited determination alive."

Ms Murray's statement comes as a new image of Hannah Lynch and her father Mike Lynch is released:

Prosecutors announced in this morning's news conference that they have opened a manslaughter and negligent shipwreck investigation.

Officials were unable to answer several queries from the media, saying they needed time to establish the facts, but what are the key questions facing prosecutors? 

Why weren't passengers who remained on board the vessel warned about escaping from the yacht?

The prosecutor in charge of the case, Raffaele Cammarano, suggested that some passengers may have been asleep when others were awake.

Asked why they were not woken up or alerted, he said that is something investigators are trying to work out from the statements of the survivors.

He called it an "essential" part of the inquiry.

Why were several of the passengers in one cabin?

The press conference heard several bodies onboard the sunken yacht were found in a single cabin which was not theirs.

Mr Cammarano said investigators currently do not know the reason for them being discovered in the same cabin.

The chief of the Palermo fire service, Bentivoglio Fiandra, said the yacht pinned to the right and suggested people tried to go on the other side, taking refuge in cabins in the higher part of the wreck.

Why did the boat sink?

The vessel had been deemed "unsinkable" by its manufacturer - Italian shipyard Perini Navi.

The Bayesian was hit by a downburst, according to Mr Cammarano, which are powerful winds that descend from a thunderstorm and spread out quickly once they hit the ground.

Officials will look into the safety equipment on the sunken vessel.

Mr Cammarano was asked about whether there is a black box and if the hatches were left open.

He said investigators do not have exact information about the black box and that the first phase of the inquiry will look into it.

Why were nearby vessels not similarly affected?

Another yacht, the Sir Robert BP, was about 150 to 200 metres from the Bayesian when extreme weather hit.

Its crew helped to rescue 15 people from the stricken vessel.

Italian officials said they would be looking at how the downburst could affect one vehicle and not other nearby vessels.

What weather warnings was the Bayesian alerted to?

Maritime director of western Sicily, Rear Admiral Raffaele Macauda, said the weather at the time of the yacht's sinking was abnormal and there was nothing to suggest such an extreme situation would arise.

He said there were forecasts of winds and a storm alert, but there was no warning of a tornado.

"Given that the conditions were such, there wasn't anything to suggest there could be an extreme situation arising," he said.

"There are vessels that can monitor, after all, these events and one would have thought that the captain had taken precautions."

How long will it take to recover the sailing vessel?

Mr Macauda could not confirm how long it would take to retrieve the shipwreck of the sunken yacht.

"Everything depends on the availability of the owners and the timeframe of the retrieval of the wreck and of course all that has to be submitted to the port authorities and in parallel of course there will be the inquiry results and it's only really then that we will be able to authorise the operation," he said.

"I can't say, like some experts who have already spoken on the subject, [said] that it will be eight weeks."

He made clear that the owners will bear the full cost of retrieval, although he could not estimate the figure.

Italian authorities detailed the challenging and meticulous rescue operation to recover the six missing people from the Bayesian wreck (see 9.18am post).

But why was the five-day search so difficult? 

Read more below...

More on this morning's press conference. 

One of the main updates from prosecutors was that they have opened manslaughter and shipwreck investigations after the deaths of seven people in the Bayesian sinking. 

Watch the announcement below...

Prosecutors have given a lengthy news conference this morning on their investigation into the sinking of the Bayesian. 

Read the full report on the prosecutors' probe below...

Marine investigator James Wilkes has been speaking to Sky News after this morning's press conference.

"Naturally, there are more questions than there are substantive answers at the moment - that's the nature of investigative work.

"Something forced that yacht to roll beyond its nominal stability limits, such that it wasn't able to right itself with the ingress of a certain amount of seawater that was coming into the yacht. 

"So the investigators are going to ask themselves one initial question - what must the conditions have been for this to happen? 

"Then they are going to look at the contributing factors to the yacht, sinking, and, and the unfortunate loss of life." 

Prosecutors said this morning that the future of the investigation is reliant on recovering the wreck. 

Mr Wilkes said the yacht is a "major piece of physical evidence in and of itself." 

"It's lying at 50 metres, which is a recoverable depth. 

"If it was significantly deeper, then I'm not sure they'd be considering salvage at this stage or certainly, the salvage question would be a lot more complicated to answer. 

"But if there was the ability to raise that yacht in one piece safely, then it gives the investigators physically more to look at."

Mr Wilkes said he was unsure if the yacht would have a "black box" - called a voyage data recorder in shipping. 

"It would record things like GPS position, heading speed, engine telemetry, whether the radars were on, what they were recording, alarms, communications from the yacht itself, any audio on the bridge.

"But more often than not, these are on merchant ships. The yacht was a commercial yacht in the sense that it could be chartered out so it's quite possible it has a voyage data recorder on, but I'm not sure that it does. I don't know that as a matter of fact," he said.

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Tributes paid to Oleg Burlakov "visionary" superyacht owner of Black Pearl

Tributes have been paid to Oleg Burlakov, owner of the 106.7 metre super sailing yacht Black Pearl , who has died at the age of 72.

The superyacht owner passed away on June 21 following a “brief battle” with COVID-19, according to the Black Pearl’s official social media channels.

• The best photos of the Oceanco sailing yacht Black Pearl

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Oleg Burlakov the visionary behind the building of SY Black Pearl ,” the statement said.

It added that Mr Burlakov had been an “inspiration” and left a “positive legacy for the world and yachting community to follow.”

• The top 10 largest sailing yachts in the world

The tri-deck sailing yacht Black Pearl was first delivered by Dutch yard Oceanco in 2018. It was built in collaboration with a cast of star superyacht designers - Dykstra Naval Architects , Ken Freivokh and Nuvolari Lenard . With a length of 106.7m, Black Pearl is the second-largest sailing yacht in the world .

Black Pearl builder Oceanco also paid tribute to Mr Burlakov, releasing a statement that described him as a “visionary”.

“His steadfast passion for the ocean and its preservation led to the creation of a remarkable vessel that proves yachting can exist in harmony with the natural world,” the statement said.

“His legacy will live on in the yachts of the future that will benefit from the technologies that Black Pearl has pioneered.”

Design studio Nuvolari Lenard added: “For four years he was guiding, leading and collaborating on all levels with Nuvolari Lenard Team, to complete his vision. Mr Burlakov has been the inspiration for us and has left a strong legacy for the whole world of the yachting community.”

The death of Mr Burlakov was confirmed by a statement released by his family, which read: “The family are mourning his loss and ask for privacy at this very difficult time.

“The family urgently requested information when they were informed, he had fallen ill but was kept in the dark. It is the family’s sincere wish that an independent international expert establish the circumstances surrounding his death.”

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Experts puzzle over why Bayesian yacht sank. Was it a 'black swan event'?

The Bayesian set off on a leisurely cruise around Italy's southern coast on a sunny day in late July.

The luxurious super yacht − which boasted one of the largest masts in the world and carried a crew of business moguls, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his family and a chair of Morgan Stanley − set sail from the Amalfi Coast, bound for Sicily.

Less than a month later, the ship had sunk 160 feet under the water , leaving its cook dead and six of its passengers, including at least two Americans, missing and prompting a massive search that has drawn international attention.

Now, experts are trying to piece together why in the early hours Monday the Bayesian was quickly pulled under the waves amid a storm that saw at least one tornado spin up over the water.

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A perfect storm led to Bayesian sinking, experts say

The combination of unlikely factors that could have contributed to the ship's fate constituted a "black swan event," Matthew Schanck, chairman of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, told USA TODAY.

The Bayesian was well-built: A 2008 product of Italian ship maker Perini, it was constructed in accordance with international maritime standards and commercially certified by the U.K.'s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, according to Schanck.

The bout of bad weather that swept the area when the ship went down was also out of the ordinary in the northern Mediterranean, "which isn't renowned for prolonged, significant stormy weather," he said.

"The fact that those two elements have then resulted in the foundering of a super yacht is pretty extraordinary," Schanck said. "These things don't happen every day."

After the ship sank just before 5 a.m. local time, 15 people, including a 1-year-old, were pulled from the water. Some were rescued from a life raft by the crew of a ship docked nearby.

Ricardo Thomas, the ship's cook and a native of Antigua, was found dead, according to authorities.

As of Tuesday, six people were missing, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter. Several missing passengers were involved in Lynch's trial on fraud charges, including Jonathan Bloomer, a Morgan Stanley chair who served as his character witness, and one of Lynch's attorneys. Lynch, accused of fraud after he sold his company to electronics giant Hewlett-Packard, was acquitted of all charges weeks ago.

Who is Mike Lynch? UK entrepreneur among those missing after superyacht sinks off Sicily

Tornado formed over unusually hot water

Storms in the area that night may have whipped up a water spout, a tornado over the water , according to local meteorologists.

It was likely triggered by the water's unusual warmth, said Rick Shema, a certified consulting meteorologist who served in the Navy.

"The water spout was an uncommon occurrence," he said. "But again, these things happen, especially in warmer water."

At 83.7 degrees, water in the area was more than 3 degrees hotter than average on the day the Bayesian sank, likely the result of climate change, Shema said.

"Hurricanes can form at 80 degrees. This was almost four degrees higher than that," he said.

The water spout may have spun up when cooler air dropped from mountainous places nearby onto the hot water, he said. "A water spout is a vortex, basically like a tornado, spinning real fast, sucking up water and moisture as the column rises," he said.

Although water spouts only reach around 120 mph, as compared with tornadoes on land, which can reach up to 300 mph, "you don't need 200 mph to sink a ship," he said.

"Even an average tornado, 120 miles an hour, that's a lot of wind," he said, "which would heel the boat over for sure."

Water spouts spring up suddenly, Shema said. Before they strike, winds can be slow, but "once the water spout comes over, bam, it's on," he said.

Before sunrise, the ship's crew may not have seen the water spout coming. "The visibility was probably a big factor," he said.

With the windows of the yacht opened, as they likely were in the hot weather, the water spout could have triggered water that flooded through the portholes, Shema said, causing the ship to sink.

Tragedy strikes: Scramble to find survivors after Bayesian yacht sinks off Sicily coast

Search continues, but shift to recovery phase approaches

Italian authorities said the Bayesian was probably at anchor when the storm struck, meaning it couldn't maneuver and ride the waves, according to Mitchell Stoller, a captain and maritime expert witness. Other ships in the area that turned on their engines rode out the storm, he said.

"When you're at anchor and you see weather, you start your engine and you put the wind on the bow. You don't let it get on the side," he said.

Schanck said another key question concerns the position of the keel, a heavy weight underneath the boat that acts as a counterbalance to keep it upright, when the ship sank. When lifted, "that's going to affect the stability of the vessel, because, obviously, you've now raised the center of gravity of that vessel," he said.

The Bayesian was floating over 160 feet of water at the time, deep enough that the keel would likely be deployed. But the fact that "the vessel heeled over so heavily makes me question that," Schanck said.

The cause of the disaster may not be known until the ship can be examined in more detail, experts say. Prosecutors in a nearby town have already opened an investigation.

Schanck said investigators will have plenty to work with once the operation moves into a recovery phase.

"The vessel is intact and in good condition on the seabed," he said. "There's a lot of eyewitness accounts from other vessels in the area and the shore."

As the search entered its second day on Tuesday, the rescue effort may shift in that direction soon. "I suspect, later on, today or tomorrow, we'll probably see some mention of a recovery operation being stated," Schanck said.

The decision to would depend on whether rescuers find signs of life in the ship and air pockets or survivable spaces, Schanck said. At this point, survivors on the water's surface looks unlikely. "My professional opinion is that the casualties will be located within the vessel," he said.

"There is a risk versus benefit in all maritime search and rescue incidents," he said. "Where we start transitioning to a recovery phase, that line shifts."

Contributing: Reuters

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

Over 90 beaches are closed in Massachusetts this weekend. See where they are.

After a week of cool weather , the sun is coming out for a beautiful beach weekend.

However, if you're planning a weekend beach trip, you'll want to avoid the beaches closed due to unsafe swimming water.

The  Massachusetts Department of Public Health  (MDPH) states that swimming in the water at these closed beaches poses a threat of illness due to high levels of bacteria. Symptoms can range from nausea and vomiting to a sore throat and fever.

This weekend, 93 Massachusetts beaches are closed - a record high for the season. Here's the full list.

What beaches in Massachusetts are currently closed due to bacteria?

The following MA beaches, listed by town, are closed as of Friday, Aug. 23:

• Puffers Pond (Bacterial Exceedance, Other)
• Stanley St. swimming hole at Cushman Bridge (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Ashby : Damon Pond Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Ashland : Ashland Reservoir Main Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Eugenia Fortes (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Kalmus Ocean (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Wequaquet Lake Town (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Wequaquet Lake Yacht Club (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Mingo (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Obear Park (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Woodbury (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Constitution (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Malibu (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Savin Hill (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Tenean (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Braintree : Smith Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Brewster : Upper Mill Pond (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Chilmark : Ocean at Squibnocket Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Clarksburg : Mauserts Pond (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Cohasset : Black Rock (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Concord :  Walden Pond (Other)
• Danvers : Sandy Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Dartmouth : Moses Smith Creek (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Dennis : Sea Street (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Learned Pond Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Waushakum Beach (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Franklin : Chilson Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Cressy's (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Good Harbor Creek (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Half Moon (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Plum Cove (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Grafton : Silver Lake Beach (Other)
• Haverhill : Plugs Pond (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Holland : Collette Drive Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Gray's (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Rocky Nook (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Lowell : Merrimac River (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Kings (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Lynn Shore Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Black (Bacterial Exceedance)
• West Manchester (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Medford : Wrights Pond (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Black Rock (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Nahant Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Sesachacha Pond (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Washing Pond (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Natick : Cochituate State Park Beach (Bacterial Exceedance, Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Frye Pond Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Stevens Pond (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Northampton : Musante Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Oxford : Carbuncle Pond (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Plymouth : Nelson Park (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Provincetown : Town Landing (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Wollaston at Channing St. (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Wollaston at Milton St. (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Wollaston at Rice Rd. (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Wollaston at Sachem St. (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Revere (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Short (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Camp Naumkeag (Other)
• Children's Island (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Ocean Avenue (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Willow Avenue (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Sandwich : Scusset (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Pearce Lake at Breakheart Reservation (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Peckham Pond at Camp Nihan (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Scituate : Bassings Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Shutesbury : Lake Wyola (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Southwick : South Pond Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Springfield : Bass Pond (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Fisherman's (Rainfall)
• Kings (Other)
• Cedar Cove Club (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Leeside (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Sandy Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Swansea Town Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Beamans Pond Campground (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Beamans Pond Day Use (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Townsend : Pearl Hill Pond Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Longnook (Other)
• Noon's Landing (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Wayland : Wayland Town Beach (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• West Stockbridge : Card Pond Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• West Tisbury : Seth's Pond (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Westborough : Lake Chauncy Beach (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Winchendon : Lake Dennison State Park (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Winchester : Shannon Beach at Upper Mystic (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Donovans (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Halford (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Indian Lake Public Beach at Sherburne Ave (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Lake Quinsigamond-Lake Park Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Lake Quinsigamond-Regatta Point Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Shore Park (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)

Most beaches are closed due to bacterial exceedance, meaning the levels of bacteria in the water are higher than the limits set by the MDPH.

Those in the "other" category can be closed due to a variety of chemical or physical hazards, such as riptides and poor visibility.

Beach safety: Red flags: Beachgoers saved one Florida shark attack victim. Then came a second attack

When will beaches in Massachusetts re-open?

According to the  MDPH website , beaches can only re-open when their bacteria levels are back within the safe range, so there is no set amount of time for a closure.

The status of a closed beach can be checked on the website's  water quality dashboard , which is updated at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. daily.