Human error blamed for the tragedy of Mike Lynch's yacht sinking
Giovanni Costantino, head of Sea Group, claims that human error caused Mike Lynch's yacht to sink. Costantino's company took over the Perini Navi brand, which produced the sunken vessel.
On August 19th, off the coast of Sicily, a catastrophe occurred involving the yacht owned by businessman Mike Lynch. The 56-metre yacht, moored about 800 metres from the shore, sank during a severe storm. Fifteen people were rescued from the catastrophe. Seven died – including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter.
From the beginning, speculations surrounding the vessel's sinking were widespread. The Italian prosecutor's office, investigating the matter, describes it as a "sudden and unexpected" event.
Manufacturer's hypothesis
Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian company Sea Group, which took over the Perini Navi brand after its bankruptcy, believes that the vessel’s crew is to blame for the sinking. Due to the violent storm, the yacht was supposed to have capsized and submerged within a few minutes.
Constantino said that the sinking of Mike Lynch's yacht must have been caused by human error. He added that the vessel would not have sunk if the hatch had not been left open.
He stated with conviction that when passengers stated that they did not hear a loud noise on the deck, which would have indicated that the yacht had struck a reef, "I realized that the yacht took on water due to the open hatch. Otherwise, it could not have sunk," he stated.
Crew under investigation
Three crew members have been placed under Italian investigation, which is being conducted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and causing the yacht to sink.
Constantino concluded with his belief that a chain of human errors occurred.
