MARINA DI CARRARA. The Italian Sea Group, the company that designs and builds yachts up to and over 100 meters in the port with the Admiral, Tecnomar and Perini brands, will take legal action against the New York Times. At the center is the article that the US newspaper published on October 31st and which «reported a narrative on the sinking of the Bayesian – we read in a note from the company – completely devoid of technical consistency, furthermore silencing the source that , if truly qualified, would have had no problem being cited.”
The news
The Bayesian, a Perini brand, is a 50-metre sailboat, flying the English flag, which sank in the stretch of sea in front of Porticello, in the province of Palermo, in August. There were twenty-two people on board, including the tycoon Mike Lynch, who died during the shipwreck along with five other passengers and the ship’s cook.
The premise
Tisg acquired, in January 2021, from a bankruptcy auction, the historic Viareggio brand Perini, the archives and the properties of Perini Navi, «and cannot therefore be considered responsible for any event possibly referable to the sinking», so much so that Tisg «intends to take action against the American newspaper for the damage to the image related to the brand and reputation of Perini Navi, a symbol of technological perfection and the maximum expression of Italian boating in the world». There are many complaints.
Monoalbero and carriage
The Italian Sea Group responds point by point to what was written by the New York Times. «The NYT attributes undocumented instability to the single-mast design choice», writes Tisg, but the Bayesian «is fully and largely compliant with the stability criteria defined by the Maritime Coastguard Agency for commercial sailing vessels». «Experts consulted by the NYT would have found obvious weaknesses in the Bayesian’s design that could have contributed to the disaster»: «It was designed by one of the most famous naval architects in the world, Ron Holland – says Tisg – while we do not read any names of designers who apodictically they claim that the boat offers obvious weaknesses.” We come to the doors and openings of the airport: «The NYT claims that they could constitute a weakness»; TISG underlines that «the doors are watertight and can only cause progressive flooding if left open and with heeling angles greater than 30°, therefore they cannot represent in any way a design flaw or a weakness, if operated correctly.
And the weather?
On the alleged vulnerabilities of the Bayesian in the presence of adverse atmospheric conditions, Tisg replies “which could derive exclusively from incorrect procedures”. Tisg also underlines «that all the technical documents were checked and validated during the stability test on board in the presence of class and flag experts». It also reiterates “that all potential openings or downflooding points were protected and equipped with watertight closing means, most of which could be operated remotely.” Tigs also responds to the ballast, the sunken deck, in particular he disputes the statement that «A sunken deck reduces the buoyancy of the boat, the naval architects said»; «Even in this case the sentence is not supported by any more in-depth analysis and consideration – claims Tigs – This provision can reduce buoyancy but only at very high heel angles and does not affect the regulatory stability requirements. This area is also equipped with large drains in order to drain any water that could remain trapped there.”
In conclusion
In short, in light of the aforementioned technical considerations, and others, «Tisg firmly reiterates the unsinkability of the Bayesian sailing yacht, if operated correctly». “The company is certain that the Italian investigators who are investigating the matter will clarify the reasons for the entry of water on board.”
