Mike Lynch, a renowned tech entrepreneur often referred to as the “British Bill Gates,” has gone missing after the superyacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily during a violent storm on Monday. The 59-year-old, who is best known as the founder of Autonomy Corporation, was among the 22 people aboard the yacht, which included two Americans and a Canadian.
Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, was also on board but was among the 15 people rescued from the 56-meter sailing vessel. Italian authorities confirmed that one body had been recovered near the wreckage, while six others remain missing, according to Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the Italian fire rescue service.
Who Is Mike Lynch?
Mike Lynch co-founded Autonomy Corporation, a software company that emerged as a leader in the UK tech industry in the mid-1990s.
Lynch’s contributions to the field were recognised with an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to enterprise in 2006, and he was later appointed to the UK’s science and technology council under Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011.
Lynch was also elected as a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2008 and the Royal Society in 2014.
HP Inflation Case
Despite his accolades, Lynch faced legal challenges related to the 2011 sale of Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11.1 billion. He was accused of inflating the company’s value and misleading regulators, leading to charges in 2018.
However, in June of this year, Lynch was cleared of all 15 counts of fraud during a trial in the United States.
What Happened To The Superyacht?
British-flagged yacht Bayesian reportedly sank near Porticello at approximately 5 am following the severe storm. Of the survivors, eight, including a one-year-old child, were taken to local hospitals where they are reported to be in stable condition.
The 56m Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian has sunk off the coast of Palermo, Italy, with 22 people on board and seven people still missing… https://t.co/CQADGhZpiV
— BOAT International (@boatint) August 19, 2024
Built in 2008 by the Italian shipyard Perini Navi, the Bayesian was a luxury yacht valued at 35 million euros (£30 million) at its launch. The vessel featured a “Japanese-style” interior and could accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites, alongside ten crew members.
The yacht’s design was recognised with the award for best exterior styling at the 2009 World Superyacht Awards.
According to reports, the Bayesian is linked to Mike Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares. Maritime records from Equasis indicate that the yacht is owned by Revtom, a company registered in the Isle of Man, with Bacares listed as the sole legal owner and an address registered in London.
As search and rescue operations continue, the fate of Mike Lynch and the others missing from the yacht remains uncertain.