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Meet ‘Seven Seas,’ a Stylish 357-Foot Superyacht That May or May Not Belong to Hollywood Royalty

The oceanco vessel is presumably owned by director steven spielberg., rachel cormack.

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Steven Spielberg’s famous superyacht Seven Seas has been given a sequel.

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Oceanco claims Seven Seas also offers “outstanding performance and seakeeping ability.” The folks at Lateral Naval Architects carried out an extensive optimization process to ensure the 4,444 GT cruiser excels in all areas, and even partnered with Oceanco to develop the propulsion system. Seven Seas is powered by twin MTU 20V 4000 M73L diesel engines that can produce 4,813 hp each and propel the vessel to 20 knots. She is also the first LY3-compliant yacht (the British government’s classification for big commercial craft), to feature a marine evacuation system, according to Oceanco. Such systems make it easy and quick for you to slide into a lifeboat should an emergency situation arise.

The original Seven Seas, now known as Man of Steel , was delivered to Spielberg in 2010. The four-time Academy Award winner, who ranks as the most commercially successful director in history with a net worth of $4 billion, spared no expense when designing his dream machine. He opted for nine generous staterooms, a spa, a gym, a pool, a beach club, a helipad, a tender garage, and a full movie theater, of course. Over the past decade, the OG Seven Seas has lived up to its moniker, sailing the coast of France during the Cannes Film Festival and the waters of Antigua and Barbuda. The high-profile 282-footer will certainly be a tough act to follow, but the new 357-footer could well steal the spotlight.

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 Incredible Features Of Steven Spielberg's $160 Million Superyacht

In 2021, the Seven Seas, the luxury yacht belonging to billionaire movie director Steven Spielberg, was sold to billionaire steel magnate Barry Zekelman after being listed for almost $158 million earlier in the year (via Bloomberg ).

Spielberg first commissioned the 282-foot yacht in 2010. The superyacht was designed by Oceanco, a luxury shipbuilding company from the Netherlands. If the name sounds familiar, this company has also recently built a superyacht for Amazon founder  Jeff Bezos . The Seven Seas was custom-made for the award-winning film director and has lots of amenities and high-end features. It's a powerful ship that can hit a top speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. The yacht also has two MTU engines, which provide a walloping 4,680 horsepower each, according to Robb Report .

In the past, this yacht has been sailing all over and has been seen cruising off the coast of France during the Cannes Film Festival, and in the Caribbean near the islands of Antigua and Barbuda.

It's decked out inside

The Seven Seas has four spacious decks and plenty of room for relaxing and entertaining guests. It features nine cabins that can accommodate up to 20 people, plus 28 crew members. The owner's suite for Spielberg is gorgeous and has a deck with a jacuzzi, office, and private terrace. It also has a full-beam VIP stateroom on the main deck with several other cabins on the lower deck (via Robb Report and Superyacht Times ).

Designers Nuvolari Lenard and Molly Isaksen collaborated to create the boat's lush wooden-themed interior (via Architectural Digest ). As would be expected, a yacht as opulent as the Seven Seas is jam-packed with amenities for Spielberg and his guests to enjoy. Published photos of the Seven Seas show jumbo screens in every room and a home cinema onboard. You can also find a sauna, steam room, gym, massage room, lounge areas, bars, and a swimming pool. This yacht is so large it can even accommodate a helipad. Like other superyachts, it comes with the standard garage where you can fit speedboats, water toys, and diving gear.

Now that Steven Spielberg has sold his yacht, fans just have to wait and see if another mega yacht is coming in the future.

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109m Oceanco superyacht Seven Seas delivered

Dutch yard Oceanco has delivered its 109-metre superyacht Seven Seas , formerly known as project Y720.

Seven Seas is the fourth largest project delivered by the shipyard to date and was seen for the first time in March 2022 when she was rolled out of the construction shed in Zwijndrecht .

Her sharp lines and tapered decks are from the boards of Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design , marking the first exterior collaboration between the Dutch shipyard and studio. According to the yard, the owner has played an integral role in the design of the yacht.

The interior, which remains under wraps, is also by Sinot in collaboration with American designer Molly Isaksen.

"Setting Seven Seas apart is her beautifully proportioned profile and the exquisite use of natural materials and glass on board, offering guests an unparalleled outward-looking experience," the shipyard said. "Under the unique expertise and guidance of Lateral Naval Architects , the project underwent an extensive optimisation process, resulting in outstanding performance and exceptional seakeeping ability."

She is also the first LY3-compliant yacht to feature a marine evacuation system.

Seven Seas marks the second delivery of 2023 for the shipyard with its largest construction to date, 127-metre Koru , handed over to her owner earlier this year. There are three yachts that remain under construction at Oceanco, all of which are over 100 metres in length, known as Oceanco Y723, Oceanco Y722 and Oceanco Y726.

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Seven Seas: A Masterpiece of Modern Yacht Design

Oceanco has once again raised the bar for luxury yacht design by delivering Seven Seas. This remarkable 109-meter motoryacht showcases the extraordinary collaboration between Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design and Molly Isaksen Interiors.

Setting Seven Seas apart is her beautifully proportioned profile and the exquisite use of natural materials and glass onboard, offering guests an unparalleled outward-looking experience. The yacht's exterior is characterized by its sleek, minimalist lines, while the interior is awash in natural light thanks to the extensive use of glass. The result is a stylish and inviting yacht with a sense of spaciousness and openness that is rare on such a large vessel.

Under the unique expertise and guidance of Lateral Naval Architects, the project underwent an extensive optimization process, resulting in outstanding performance and exceptional seakeeping ability. She is also the first LY3-compliant yacht to feature a Marine Evacuation System.

Seven Seas is the epitome of modern yacht design, and she is sure to set a new standard for years to come. She is a yacht that is both beautiful and functional, and she offers guests an unparalleled level of luxury and comfort.

Specifications

• Length: 109 meters / 357 feet
• Beam: 16 meters / 52 feet
• Speed: 20 knots
• Interior & Exterior Design: Sinot Yacht Architecture and Design
• Interior Design: Molly Isaksen Interiors
• Naval Architecture: Oceanco & Lateral
• Owner's Representative: Y.CO
• Six decks of living space
• Multiple swimming pools
• Spa and wellness center
• Helicopter landing pad
• Marine Evacuation System
• LY3-compliant

Accommodation

• Up to 20 guests
• 26 crew members

Inspiration

The natural world inspired the design of Seven Seas, and the yacht's interior is filled with references to nature. Raw materials, such as wood, stone, and leather, create a warm and inviting atmosphere, while the extensive use of glass allows guests to feel connected to the outdoors.

The yacht's exterior is also inspired by nature, and its sleek lines and minimalist design are reminiscent of a sea creature. The yacht's hull is painted dark blue, which helps blend the boat into the ocean environment.

Seven Seas is equipped with the latest technology, including a state-of-the-art navigation system, a sophisticated entertainment system, and a comprehensive security system. The yacht also features several sustainable features, such as energy-efficient lighting and water-saving appliances.

Seven Seas is a masterpiece of modern yacht design, and she is sure to set a new standard for years to come. She is a yacht that is both beautiful and functional, and she offers guests an unparalleled level of luxury and comfort. If you are looking for a boat that will redefine your expectations of luxury, then Seven Seas is the yacht for you.

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Motor Yacht

Seven Seas is a custom motor yacht launched in 2022 by Oceanco in Alblasserdam, Netherlands.

Founded in 1987, Oceanco is a shipyard that strives to do things differently, building custom superyachts that each stand out as iconic additions to the world superyacht fleet. With a tenth of the Top 100 largest vessels being Oceanco-builds, the Dutch yard has positioned itself as a brand driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to achieving the impossible.

Seven Seas measures 109.00 metres in length.

Other Specifications

Seven Seas has a hull NB of Y720.

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Star of Seven Seas

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STAR OF SEVEN SEAS YACHT CHARTER

23m  /  75'6   sunseeker   2011 / 2023.

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Cabin Configuration

Special Features:

• Recent refit in 2023
• Sleeps 8 guests

Prepare for a charter vacation of lifetime aboard Sunseeker luxury yacht Star of Seven Seas

The 23m/75'6" open yacht 'Star of Seven Seas' by the British shipyard Sunseeker offers flexible accommodation for up to 8 guests in 4 cabins.

Boasting sporty good looks and a host of fabulous amenities, Star of Seven Seas is tailor-made for fun. Kick back and relax on her array of sunpads or dive into the water from her convenient swim platform, and let your cares slip away.

Guest Accommodation

Built in 2011, Star of Seven Seas offers guest accommodation for up to 8 guests in 4 suites comprising a master suite, one VIP cabin and two twin cabins. She is also capable of carrying up to 2 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht charter experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Whatever your activities on your charter, you'll find some impressive features are seamlessly integrated to help you including Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to stay connected at all times, should you wish. Guests will experience complete comfort while chartering thanks to air conditioning.

Performance & Range

Built with a GRP hull and GRP superstructure, she has impressive speed and great efficiency thanks to her planing hull. Star of Seven Seas comfortably cruises at 20 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 35 knots.

Book your next the Mediterranean luxury yacht charter aboard Star of Seven Seas this summer. She is also accepting bookings this winter on request.

Open yacht Star of Seven Seas boasts an impressive array of outstanding amenities for truly out-of-this-world charter vacations that you’ll never forget.

TESTIMONIALS

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Star of Seven Seas Photos

Amenities & Entertainment

For your relaxation and entertainment Star of Seven Seas has the following facilities, for more details please speak to your yacht charter broker.

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'Star of Seven Seas' Charter Rates & Destinations

Summer Season

May - September

€30,000 p/week + expenses Approx $33,500

High Season

€35,000 p/week + expenses Approx $39,000

Cruising Regions

Mediterranean France, Italy, Monaco

HOT SPOTS:   Amalfi Coast, Corsica, French Riviera, Sardinia

Winter Season

October - April

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Charter Star of Seven Seas

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker , or we can help you.

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SEASONAL CHARTER RATES

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7 compelling reasons to book a luxury cruise

Cruise lines and travelers who aren't up on their terminology tend to refer to just about any cruise as luxury. But megaships from the world's biggest lines — no matter how impressive — don't fall into the luxury category of ships. True luxury cruise lines, including most expedition lines, generally roll more inclusions into their cruise fares and offer higher-quality everything, from service and furnishings to cuisine.

Here, I'll cover what you can expect for the price, how you can determine for yourself which lines are truly high-end and why you should consider splurging on a luxury booking for your next voyage.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

The cabins are larger

Most mainstream ships feature a variety of cabin types — with the most basic and inexpensive lacking windows. Although the resulting darkness can help you catch up on some sleep, those rooms are often small and cramped, especially if you share them with others.

Cue luxury ships, where most rooms tend to be larger than the industry average. The most lavish cabins can be larger than many houses ashore. Some vessels, such as Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Evrima , offer only suite accommodations . Others, like Seabourn Venture , feature balconies in every single cabin.

Add on extra touches like robes and slippers for onboard use, marble bathrooms, walk-in closets and concierge or butler service in some cabins, and you'll find yourself in the lap of luxury for the duration of your sailing.

The ships are smaller

For the purposes of this article, we'll consider the following to be luxury lines , with some also offering expedition cruises , as noted below:

• Ponant Cruises (including expedition sailings)
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
• Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours (including expedition sailings)
• Seabourn (including expedition sailings)
• Silversea Cruises
• Viking (including expedition sailings)

Vessels in those fleets carry fewer passengers than many mainstream megaships, the largest of which can see close to 7,000 cruisers at capacity (not including crew members). In order to fit that many people on board and provide them with enough activities, public areas and places to eat, the hardware is massive.

Most luxury ships carry anywhere from 200 to 500 passengers, with just a handful welcoming nearly 1,000 (but even those few are many times smaller than some of the largest vessels afloat). Not only does that mean a more intimate ambience and fewer queues to wait in, but smaller ships can also offer a larger range of ports on their itineraries (more about that below).

The food is superb

If you're a gourmand, luxury cruises are the way to go. Most are foodie havens where meals are otherworldly. Free caviar and Champagne are common, but it doesn't stop there.

On some vessels, including those in the Viking fleet, passengers can shop with the chef in port and watch as he prepares the spoils for dinner that evening. Other ships, such as Scenic Eclipse, offer mouthwatering chef's table experiences that take diners on a several-hour journey that captivates even the most picky of eaters.

Still others have partnerships with world-renowned chefs, such as Thomas Keller, who maintains outposts on Seabourn ships. This represents a terrific value for money; it allows cruisers easy access to famed chefs' dishes for free, while reservations at their affiliated land-based restaurants are generally hard to come by and could cost hundreds per meal.

The service is better

Because luxury ships tend to have fewer passengers on board, they also usually have a better crew-to-passenger ratio. In fact, some even strive for a 1-to-1 ratio, which helps ensure that there's always someone available to help you with tidying your room, bringing you room service or helping you with shore excursion reservations.

Overall, service is above and beyond what you'd expect from the hospitality industry, and your needs are constantly anticipated, so you rarely have anything left to ask for.

Often, you can expect the demeanor of the crew on luxury ships to be friendly and efficient but not overbearing. It stands pleasantly between the fawning, doting nature of crews on mainstream North American ships and the almost icy, "don't speak unless spoken to" variety found on some more international lines.

You get more bang for your buck

The price tag is another solid indicator that you're booking a luxury voyage. It's not uncommon for fares to run into the thousands per night for each person, depending on the ship and itinerary. However, before you succumb to sticker shock, it's important to realize that the mantra of "you get what you pay for" applies here.

Luxury sailings include just about anything you could want while you sail. Amenities like alcoholic beverages and soda, Wi-Fi and gratuities are rolled into most luxury carriers' costs — along with butler and concierge services, flights, airport transfers and even shore excursions on some ships.

Apart from taxes and fees, you'll have a pretty good idea of what your bottom line is right off the bat. It can seem like a lot at first, but often it's a better value. That's because most larger players — such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line — charge extra for all of those add-ons unless you purchase some of the highest-level suites or book under a promotion like Norwegian's Free at Sea .

The ports are less touristy

Any vessel can go to the places where the largest can fit, but only the smallest can navigate to some of the world's most remote regions.

If you relish the idea of squeezing into tiny inlets where you can view Alaska glaciers up close, visiting pristine beaches in Caribbean destinations like Martinique or Anguilla or checking out other hard-to-access ports around the globe, a smaller ship is the way to go. And smaller ships go hand in hand with luxury cruising.

It also explains, in part, why luxury cruise lines have been so quick to hop on the growing expedition cruise trend. It used to be that active travelers had to sacrifice swanky onboard accouterments and decadent accommodations to experience places like the Galapagos and Antarctica . With the newest ice-strengthened hardware boasting high-end suites and gourmet food, that's no longer the case.

The toys are fancier

Yes, some of the largest vessels afloat have skydiving and surfing simulators or virtual-reality rooms on board, but why settle for simulations when you can have actual adventures ?

Several of the luxury market's newer expedition ships have added helicopters and submarines to their lists of onboard amenities. Passengers can book them for use at an additional cost, allowing them bird's-eye (or fish's-eye) views of the surrounding sky and sea.

And the options keep growing. Years ago, the first three-person submersible was introduced on a ship. Now, onboard submarines are double the size, offering even more cruisers a chance to give it a go.

Bottom line

It's easy to immediately dismiss the idea of booking a luxury cruise when you see the price. But before you make a snap judgment, consider the value of what's included.

Do you prefer a more intimate onboard experience and visiting off-the-beaten-path ports? Are you a sucker for a fantastic gastronomic experience? Do you routinely purchase drink packages, Wi-Fi, alternative restaurant meals or shore excursions on other cruises? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a luxury sailing could be right for you.

If you'd like to learn more about what sets different cruise lines apart, check out this handy guide to choosing a cruise line .

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

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How safe are luxury yachts? What to know after Mike Lynch yacht disaster left 7 dead

The Bayesian was a world-class yacht.

The 19th largest yacht designed by luxury Italian manufacturer Perini , it boasted a sleek interior design by French designer Remi Tessier, a double engine, and one of the tallest aluminum masts in the world. It won multiple awards, including for "best sailing yacht" the year after its release.

But, almost two weeks ago on Aug. 19, the luxurious vessel sank to the bottom of the ocean off the coast of Sicily in an internationally-followed disaster, dumping 22 people aboard into the water and leaving seven dead , including British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah .

"The impossible happened on that boat," Giovanni Costantino, the yacht manufacturer's CEO, told Reuters.

In the wake of the disaster, an ongoing investigation into possible criminal errors committed by the Bayesian's crew and lingering questions surrounding its design underscore the need for proper yacht safety measures and practical ship designs, according to experts.

Italian prosecutors from a nearby town have now widened their investigation into possible criminal actions by the ship's captain in the lead-up to the shipwreck to include two additional crew members, a judicial source told Reuters on Wednesday.

Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffith are now under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck, days after news broke that investigators are probing whether Captain James Cutfield committed the same crimes.

Authorities are looking into whether Parker Eaton, a ship engineer, failed to protect the ship's engine room and operating systems. Griffith, a sailor on the ship, was on watch duty on the morning the ship sank.

Cutfield "exercised his right to remain silent" when investigators interrogated him on Tuesday, Giovanni Rizzuti, his lawyer, told Reuters.

"First, he's very worn out," Rizzuti said. "Second, we were appointed only on Monday, and for a thorough and correct defense case, we need to acquire a set of data that at the moment we don't have."

Rizzuti did not immediately respond to a request for comment emailed to him by USA TODAY.

Rescuers found the bodies of Chris Morvillo, an American citizen and lawyer for Clifford Chance, his wife, Neda Morvillo, Jonathan Bloomer, a non-executive chair of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife, Judy Bloomer, inside the ship two days after the wreck. Recaldo Thomas, the ship's cook who also went by Ricardo, was the first person pronounced dead in the disaster – his body was recovered on the day of the sinking.

Captains must follow safety procedures before storms

Costantino chalked up the boat's fate to a "series of indescribable, unreasonable errors" committed by the crew. The ship's crew made an "incredible mistake" in not preparing adequately for the storm, he said.

Costantino said the crew should have summoned passengers from their rooms earlier, as the storm picked up. The keel, a heavy weight under the ship to counterbalance the ship's large mast, should have been lowered, and portholes should have been closed – both factors that could influence whether the captain is found culpable, according to experts .

Captains should always check weather forecasts and look into local weather patterns, Mitchell Stoller, a maritime expert witness and captain, told USA TODAY . When in stormy weather, captains should also weigh anchor, so that a ship can float over unstable waters, he added.

"The general standard of care in this situation is to monitor the weather, exercise caution, have a night watch, have the engine going, ready to maneuver," he said.

More: Even heroes need a vacation: What to expect from the Disney Destiny cruise ship

Wealthy clients push for impractical designs, expert says

Costantino said the ship's design and construction was error-free. But one yacht design expert disagrees.

"There's so many other factors, and this huge, complex boat is part of it," said Tad Roberts, a British Columbia-based yacht designer who has worked in the industry for nearly 40 years.

The Bayesian's giant mast is part of a trend of bigger and bigger yachts, according to Roberts. He worked on the design of the Asolare, formerly the Scheherazade – at 154 feet long, the largest cold-molded sailing yacht in the world when it was released in 2003, according to its manufacturer, Hodgdon Yacht Services. "It's small today," Roberts added.

Roberts said problems emerge when yacht designers can't say no to wealthy clients' demands for more and more extravagant and overgrown designs.

"The clients are wealthy people. They are very used to getting whatever it is they want," he said.

But owners' requests can compromise security, he said.

"Owners are not naval architects," he said. "They don't understand the issues involved, and trying to explain to them may or may not work, but there are compromises being made all the time."

Yacht buyers are more likely to get a better boat than they would 50 years ago, since yachts are exported and built towards international standards, he said. Still, the worsening effects of climate change and extreme weather are growing risks to anyone sailing the high seas, he added.

"Be aware. That's the biggest part of it," he said. "There's a possibility that things could go bad, that there is risk involved."

More: Investigators seek answers to why luxury superyacht Bayesian sank in storm

Yacht owners install million-dollar, AI-powered security systems

Piracy on yachts is even rarer than sudden storms – only two cases were reported between 2019 and 2023, according to the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre . Still, superyacht owners are investing in James Bond-esque technology in an effort to protect their vessels.

"There's definitely increased concern," said Frederik Giepmans, managing director of safety and security at MARSS, a technology company that offers high-tech surveillance and security systems for superyachts with a price tag "from the hundreds of thousands into millions," he said.

NiDAR, a software program manufactured by MARSS to provide protection for superyachts, can pick up on objects approaching a yacht from the air or water "while underway, at anchor and in port," according to the company's website.

The surveillance system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to handle data from sensors monitoring all sides of a vessel. The AI system provides "constant, long range monitoring of the air, of the surface, of the underwater, to try and give the crew as much response time as possible," said Giepmans.

That way, yacht owners can pick up on any manner of approaching objects, from "small, fast craft approaching on the surface" to divers and submarines under the water.

But if a threat is detected, a yacht owner's "options to respond are limited," Giepmans said. "You can get out of the way. You can bring people to safety. But, for instance, a more military response is not available to you."

Giepmans pointed to a recent increase in attacks on commercial ships, like attacks carried out by Houthi rebels on ships cruising through the Red Sea. "There's a gap there in terms of security," he said. "Because there isn't really, right now, a way for commercial or private clients, to respond, perhaps, in an appropriate way to these threats."

Luxury yacht owners cruising off the coast of Monaco, for instance, shouldn't be as concerned about a direct threat to their security, as compared with boats sailing through other locations, he said. "It really depends on that, as to what extent they will go to protect their ship."

The greater danger could come from adverse weather events, as the planet warms every year.

Meteorologists have pointed to a water spout, a tornado that spun up over the water amid the storm that hit the Bayesian, as a possible factor in its wreck.

Water temperatures in the area were more than three degrees higher than average that day, the perfect conditions for the spout to form and the likely result of climate change, Rick Shema, a certified consulting meteorologist and former member of the Navy, previously told USA TODAY.

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

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.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are luxury yachts safe? What to know after Mike Lynch yacht disaster

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Video shows moments before superyacht went down in storm off Sicily

A celebration turned into tragedy for a british tycoon when the storm sank the vessel off sicily. six people remain missing., by henry austin and corky siemaszko | nbc news • published august 21, 2024 • updated on august 21, 2024 at 3:08 pm.

Newly released video captures a luxury superyacht being battered by a violent storm before it suddenly sank off Sicily with 22 people aboard  Monday.

The grainy images obtained by NBC News and other outlets were recorded on closed-circuit television not far from where the Bayesian was anchored,  about a half-mile from the port of Porticello, on Sicily’s northern coast .

📺 24/7 Chicago news stream: Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are

The yacht's 250-foot mast, illuminated with lights and lashed by the storm, appears to bend to one side before it finally disappears and is replaced by darkness.

The speed with which a yacht built to handle the roughest seas capsized stunned maritime experts.  

“I can’t remember the last time I read about a vessel going down quickly like that, you know, completely capsizing and going down that quickly, a vessel of that nature, a yacht of that size,” said Stephen Richter  of SAR Marine Consulting.

British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and five of the 22 other people who were aboard the 184-foot vessel remain unaccounted for and are believed to be trapped in the Bayesian’s hull, nearly 170 feet underwater.

Officials confirmed Monday that at least one person, the ship’s cook, had died.  

Missing revealed as divers search superyacht that sank in storm off Sicily

British tech magnate Mike Lynch, 2 US citizens among missing after luxury yacht sinks off Sicily

Superyachts like the Bayesian, which had been available for charters at a rate of $215,000 a week, are designed to stay afloat even as they are taking on water to give the people aboard a chance to escape, Richter said. 

“Boats of this size, they’re taking passengers on an excursion or a holiday,” Richter said. “They are not going to put them in situations where it may be dangerous or it may be uncomfortable, so this storm that popped up was obviously an anomaly. These vessels that carry passengers, they’re typically very well-maintained, very well-appointed.”

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

On Tuesday, Italian rescue workers  resumed the search for Lynch  and the five other passengers still missing: Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah; Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife; and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife.

“The fear is that the bodies got trapped inside the vessel,” Salvatore Cocina, the head of civil protection in Sicily, told Reuters .

The Bayesian is owned by a firm linked to Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who was one of the 15 people rescued Monday after it capsized.

“It’s extremely rare for a boat of this size to sink,” Richter said.

What’s not rare is the kind of storm that sank it , said Simon Boxall, senior lecturer in oceanography at Britain’s University of Southampton.

“People assume the Mediterranean is this rather calm and passive place that never gets storms and always blue skies,” Boxall said. “In fact, you get some quite horrendous storms that are not uncommon at this time of year.”

The president of Italy’s meteorological society has said Monday’s violent storm may have involved a waterspout, essentially a tornado over water, or a downburst, which occurs more frequently but doesn’t involve the rotation of the air.

Luca Mercalli, president of the Italian Meteorology Society, also said recent temperatures may have been a factor. 

“The sea surface temperature around Sicily was around 30 degrees Celsius [86 Fahrenheit], which is almost 3 degrees more than normal,” Mercalli told Reuters. “This creates an enormous source of energy that contributes to these storms.”

The Mediterranean sailing vacation was designed to be a celebration for Lynch, who two months ago was  acquitted by a San Francisco jury of fraud charges  stemming from the 2011 sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion.

Prosecutors alleged that Lynch, dubbed “Britain’s Bill Gates,” and Autonomy’s vice president for finance, Stephen Chamberlain, had padded the firm’s finances ahead of the sale. Lynch’s lawyers argued that HP was so eager to acquire Autonomy that it failed to  adequately check the books .

Lynch had taken Morvill, who was one of his defense attorneys, on the luxury trip. 

Chamberlain was not on the Bayesian.

In what appears to be a tragic coincidence, a  car struck and killed Chamberlain on Saturday as he was jogging in a village about 68 miles north of London, local police said.

“Steve fought successfully to clear his good name at trial earlier this year, and his good name now lives on through his wonderful family,” Chamberlain’s lawyer, Gary Lincenberg, said in a statement .

Henry Austin reported from London and Corky Siemaszko from New York City.

This story first appeared on NBCNews.com . More from NBC News:

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Investigation Into Yacht That Sank Off Sicily Broadens

Prosecutors are looking into the actions of two other crew members in connection with the sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian, which caused the deaths of seven people.

• Share full article

By Elisabetta Povoledo

Reporting from Rome.

Prosecutors in Sicily have broadened their investigation into the sinking of the luxury yacht, the Bayesian, and are now looking into the actions of two more crew members, their lawyer said Thursday.

The captain of the yacht, James Cutfield, is also facing a manslaughter inquiry to determine whether his actions negligently caused the shipwreck, one of his lawyers said Tuesday.

Seven people — six passengers and one crew member — died in the Aug. 19 accident amid a pre-dawn storm off the coast of Sicily. Among the victims was the British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, whose family owned the Bayesian, as well as his 18-year-old daughter Hannah.

On Wednesday, prosecutors placed under investigation Tim Parker Eaton, who was in charge of the Bayesian’s engine room, and Matthew Griffiths, the crew member who was on lookout duty that night. They are both represented by Marco Scopesi, a lawyer based in Genoa, who confirmed that the two men were under investigation.

In Italy, placing someone under formal investigation does not necessarily mean criminal charges will follow.

The cruise was to celebrate Mr. Lynch’s acquittal in June on charges that he had led one of the biggest frauds in the technology industry by vastly inflating the value of a company he had founded when he had sold it to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion in 2011. This summer, he had scheduled several cruises to thank the lawyers who had helped him win the case.

Prosecutors in the Sicilian town of Termini Imerese are looking into what caused the 183-foot sailboat — described by the company that owns the ship maker as “unsinkable” — to suddenly capsize and sink to a depth of 165 feet. There had been 22 people on board the Bayesian when it sank, 10 crew members and 12 guests. After the shipwreck, the 15 people who escaped had been transferred to a hotel in the nearby town of Santa Flavia, where journalists were kept at bay.

Last weekend, the six passengers who had survived the shipwreck left the hotel. This week, the nine crew members, including those under investigation, left the hotel and Italy, according to two people familiar with the situation not authorized to speak about it publicly. The crew members had not been prohibited from leaving Italy.

Prosecutors interrogated Captain Cutfield on Tuesday, but he asserted his right to remain silent. Giovanni Rizzuti, one of his lawyers, told Italian media that his client was very “distressed.” Mr. Ruzzuti also said that as he had only taken the case on Monday, he needed time to come up with a “thorough, complete and correct” line of defense, and go through the elements of the case, he said. Captain Cutfield left Sicily on Thursday, according to a person familiar with the case.

In Italy, placing someone under investigation means that they can have a lawyer present when non-repeatable examinations, like autopsies, are carried out.

Mr. Scopesi said that like the captain of the Bayesian, his clients were under investigation on charges of manslaughter and causing a shipwreck, “in a very general way, the prosecution hasn’t focused on anything specifically,” he said.

“We’re still at the beginning” of the investigation, he said.

Emma Bubola contributed reporting.

Elisabetta Povoledo is a reporter based in Rome, covering Italy, the Vatican and the culture of the region. She has been a journalist for 35 years. More about Elisabetta Povoledo

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Captain of Bayesian superyacht ‘under official investigation for manslaughter’ after tragic sinking left seven dead

• Imogen Braddick , Senior Foreign Reporter
• Published : 7:49, 26 Aug 2024
• Updated : 8:44, 28 Aug 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

ITALIAN prosecutors have reportedly opened a manslaughter probe into the captain of the Bayesian superyacht over the deaths of seven people on board.

James Cutfield , 51, from New Zealand, is being investigated for manslaughter and shipwreck, La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera said.

Magistrates reportedly spoke to Cutfield on Sunday for the second time in a week - questioning him for more than two hours.

Prosecutors may also investigate a crew member who was on duty when the storm hit and survived the disaster, according to reports.

The 184ft Bayesian was carrying 22 people when it capsized and sank last Monday within minutes of being hit by a storm while anchored off northern Sicily.

Brit tech tycoon Mike Lynch and four others were found dead in the first cabin of the luxury yacht’s left side.

Read more on the Bayesian

First findings of Bayesian manslaughter probe revealed after 'mistakes made'

Body of Mike Lynch’s daughter Hannah, 18, recovered from wreck ending search

Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah,  was found in the third cabin after it sank stern-first before rolling on to its right on the seabed. The yacht’s chef also died.

Fifteen of the 22 on board, including Mr Lynch’s wife  Angela Bacares , 57, escaped on a life raft.

Prosecutors said  the victims  had attempted to scramble to one side of the doomed £14million, 184ft vessel in a desperate battle to reach air pockets after it went down in a storm off Sicily.

Chief Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said the victims would have been asleep when the freak weather struck at around 5am local time on Monday last week, leaving them unable to escape.

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Being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt - and does not mean formal charges will necessarily follow.

Maritime law gives a captain full responsibility for the ship and the crew, as well as the safety of all aboard.

Cutfield and his eight surviving crew have made no public comment yet on the disaster.

In a press conference on Saturday, Mr Cartosio said there may have been “behaviours that were not perfectly in order with regard to the responsibility everybody had”.

He added: “There could be in fact the question of homicide. But this is the beginning of the inquiry, we cannot exclude anything at all.”

He said one line of inquiry was whether the crew attempted to raise the alarm with passengers before getting on the lifeboat and escaping.

He vowed to “discover how much they (the crew) knew and to what extent all the people (passengers) were warned.”

He said: “We will establish each element’s (crew) responsibility. For me, it is probable that offences were committed — that it could be a case of manslaughter.”

He said Captain Cutfield had been “extremely cooperative” during questioning and will be quizzed further.

Lead prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano said Italy’s Air Force found the boat was sunk by a downburst that descended from a thunderstorm.

He said there were forecasts of strong winds and a storm alert but good visibility and no suggestion of a tornado.

He added: “Given the conditions were such, there wasn’t anything to suggest there could be an extreme situation.

“There are vessels that can monitor these events and one would have thought the captain had taken precautions.”

He said one person was on watch in the cockpit at the time of the accident.

Bentivoglio Fiandra, chief of Palermo’s fire brigade and part of the rescue, said the victims “were trying to hide in the cabins on the left-hand side” where the last air pockets remained.

Divers made more than 120 trips in five days to the wrecked boat 164ft below the surface, with mirrors in the cabins making their tough job harder because their lights were reflected back at them.

It comes as...

• Brit teen  Hannah Lynch was found on the sunken boat  on Friday as her family paid tribute
• Five bodies were recovered from the yacht wreck  on Wednesday and Thursday including Brit tycoon Mike Lynch
• The CEO of the firm that produced the Bayesian said the boat is  'unsinkable' and pointed to human error
• Captain James Cutfield was quizzed for two hours  by cops and remains at the  centre of a probe
• Experts believe the yacht's 'tallest mast in the world' may have contributed to the disaster after a  freak ‘Black Swan’ weather event struck
• Pictures showed the  tiny raft that saved up to 15 people
• Frantic text messages  from the survivors revealed the chaos

Vincenzo Nardoni, inspector at the Department of Fire Fighters’ Divers in Naples, said: “Inside it was a very confusing place, with wardrobes and furniture whirling all around us, and lots of mirrors reflecting back our lights at us.

“The bodies were all wedged in tight spots, with furniture on top or beside them. They were all stuck there.”

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The ­Italian Sea Group, which manufactured Perini Navi shipyard vessel Bayesian, accused the crew of failing to “close the doors and hatches” and insisted the boat should have been “unsinkable”.

Mr Costantino recently told The Sun: "Modern sailing ships, especially high-tech ones like the Perini, are designed to be extremely safe and stable.

“Even in very critical conditions, if procedures are followed, a sailing yacht like the Bayesian will return to an upright position.

"If the ship takes on water, this stability is compromised ... What is certain is that the ship took on hundreds of thousands of litres of water."

Authorities now face a delicate task in extracting the wreck from the depths of the sea - intact - so that it can be properly probed.

Expert diver Bertrand Sciboz said it would be a "very special operation".

He told BBC on Saturday: “They’ll have to salvage the wreck intact to then send it back to authorities and police.

“They will need to salvage the boat intact but I suppose they will have to take off the mast before.

“First, put the boat on its keel and then take off the mast."

Bayesian mystery: the unanswered questions

PROSECUTORS have launched a major probe into whether the Bayesian crew follow the right procedures before it tragically sank.

With the investigation underway now that bodies have been recovered, these are the key points that remain shrouded in mystery.

Why did it sink while other boats withstood the storm?

Survivors were saved by crew of Dutch boat Sir Robert Baden Powell, which was moored right near the Bayesian.

The 42-metre boat remained anchored after its skipper turned on the engine, also avoiding a collision with the doomed British-flagged vessel.

Captain Karsten Borner said the Bayesian crew were likely "surprised" by the storm's prowess.

Were proper safety precautions followed?

In light of the weather warning issued by the coast guard, questions have been raised over whether yacht guests were woken up and given life jackets.

On Saturday, prosecutors said those who died were likely asleep when the storm hit.

This meant they couldn't escape as the boat rapidly sank, investigators believe.

Was the Bayesian properly anchored?

The anchor being lowered to 50 metres has sparked questions over whether the yacht should have been secured in shallower water.

Retired Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe also said the Bayesian is designed for a huge sail - and without the sail raised, the fierce gusts would've rocked the boat's aluminium pole.

He told CBC News: "My kind of working assumption is that she was probably a bit further in at anchor, and it’s very likely, in these sort of conditions, that her anchor dragged."

Were hatches left open?

It access hatches were left open before the storm struck, it's believed the yacht would've quickly filled with water once it tipped, causing the swift sinking.

An expert at the scene told Reuters that one of the earliest aims for investigators was to establish whether the crew did not close access hatches before disaster struck.

With temperatures above 33 degrees, they may have been left open for air circulation.

Sam Jefferson said: "I imagine all the doors were open because it was hot, so there were enough hatches and doors open that it filled with water very quickly and sank like that."

How long will the investigation take?

Sicilian prosecutors wouldn't be drawn on giving a timeline for the investigation on Saturday.

With the wreck at 50 metres below the sea surface, they warned it would take some time.

Autopsies are also yet to be done.

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