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A Superyacht Approach at Southerly Yachts

• By Cruising World Staff
• August 1, 2024

Concept Yachts is marking one year since it purchased Southerly Yachts near Southampton in the UK, bringing superyacht standards to the build process with an increased use of infusion in the lamination process, millimeter-accurate fit-out with a milling machine and 3D printer, and a more modular approach to interior fit-out.

In fact, semi-bespoke runs have already happened for two of Southerly’s most popular models: the 420 and 480.

Both models have Southerly’s signature swing keel system, which reduces draft. Combined with a twin rudder arrangement, this keel system allows the yachts to access the shallowest of anchorages, and to dry out on their own bottoms in tidal areas.

The keel system also can give the yachts a relatively deep draft with weight distribution in the fin. This allows the boats to hold sail in strong conditions and point high.

The swing keel can also be semi-raised to improve performance downwind when sailing transoceanic itineraries with the trade winds.

Both the 420 and 480 are raised deck saloon models. The 420’s standard layout has forward and aft full-beam ensuite staterooms. Southerly also offers the 420 with a three-stateroom layout: two staterooms forward with a shared head, and the ensuite master aft.

Southerly’s 480 has a standard layout with an ensuite owners’ stateroom aft. A twin-bunk stateroom is immediately aft on the port side with a shared head.

In 2025, Southerly Yachts will celebrate its 50th birthday—and is planning to launch an anniversary edition flagship model as part of the festivities.

“Southerly Yachts is going well,” Concept Yachts’ CEO and founder Kevin Viles stated in a press release. “We are fully up and running and onto our fourth customer within a year of taking over the company.”

Will Southerly Yachts have a display at this fall’s Southampton Boat Show? Yes. Showgoers will be able to make appointments to visit the build facility in Marchwood to see a three-stateroom 420 under construction.

Where to learn more: go to southerly-yachts.com .

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Southerly back in business

• Dick Durham
• July 9, 2013

Itchenor base up and running again

A major South Coast boatbuilder has come back from the dead. The UK boatbuilder of Southerly yachts, Northshore Yachts, has re-emerged under a different corporate structure after going into voluntary liquidation in April, reports IBI magazine.

Northshore went into voluntary liquidation after what it described as a “dramatic decline in orders for delivery in 2013 and early 2014”, but has re-emerged under a different corporate structure, with two out of the three same directors in charge.

The move, according to a report in The Times, has sparked controversy after the boatbuilder, which traded as Northshore Yachts, entered liquidation owing suppliers close to £1m, the newspaper reported, as well as £550,000 in redundancy payments.

Various creditors have questioned the business ethics behind the new venture.

The business now trades as Southerly Yachts, a limited company incorporated more than a decade ago. It’s building boats on Northshore’s Itchenor, Chichester site, and the intellectual property has been retained because the brand resided in a different company from the rest of the business’s assets, The Sunday Times’ reported.

Speaking to The Times, the business’s owner Lester Abbott refutes the allegations that he has acted immorally, stating that half of his 125 employees had been re-employed and that he had agreed to pay back all of his suppliers “over a long period of time”.

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Step aboard a yacht and the finer details are evident on a Southerly Yacht. The cockpit seating is deep and sculpted to ensure comfort and support. Hand-holds are just where you want them, and the excellence of craftsmanship is evident at every turn. Everything has been carefully considered. There are even wonderful ‘dolphin watching’ seats forward, as well as seats on the aft deck that are perfect for a sundowner.

What makes these yachts so special is the light-filled raised saloon. Welcoming and spacious, the raised saloon is great for entertaining or just relaxing. Enjoy the scenery in comfort and style through the large eye-level windows.

The ergonomic and innovative galley will appeal to the most demanding of chefs, with its generous work surfaces, cavernous fridge and freezer as well as ample storage that makes life a pleasure on longer cruises. Spacious and luxurious, the owner’s cabin has a king-sized centreline double bed, whilst the en-suite comes complete with a heated towel rail. The combination of the hand – crafted joinery (which is a work of art in itself) and the meticulous attention to detail set these yachts apart. The interior not only looks good in harbour, it is also functional and comfortable at sea.

Shallow draft capabilities can save precious time when entering or leaving locked marinas or even crossing a shallow bar in some harbor entrances. When approaching shallow waters, the keel can simply be raised to avoid grounding, and killing time for a safe height of tide.

The Southerly swing keel system opens up a world of possibilities denied to most yachts. Today, there are over 1,100 Southerly Owners worldwide who can testify to the remarkable versatility of the Variable Draft Keel system (swing keel) which fulfils most people’s idea of the perfect yacht: Learn More

Click on the models below for more information and specifications on Southerly Yachts.

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• Digital edition

Southerly Yachts folds again

• August 28, 2014

It comes just 13 months after the brand was ‘rescued' from an earlier receivership

One of the biggest sailboat names in British boat building, Southerly Yachts, has folded again, writes Barry Pickthall.

This latest debacle comes just 13 months after the brand had been ‘rescued’ from an earlier receivership with debts of £1,972,520.

The builder, which once employed 165 people at Itchenor Shipyard and its moulding operation in Havant, went down with the loss of 50 jobs.

A creditors meeting held at the Gatwick Hilton Hotel on 22 August was told that efforts to refloat the building arm of the business had failed and that once three yachts currently under construction for customers were completed, production of the Southerly brand would cease.

Chris Stephens from FRP Advisory was once again appointed receiver but, like last year, when the assets available to offset debts amounted to little more than the office furniture and a database of potential clients, there are precious few pickings.

A spokesman for FRP Advisory refused to divulge the list of outstanding creditors for Southerly Yachts Ltd or its level of indebtedness to Boating Business, stating that this will eventually be published by Companies House.

The land and buildings at Itchenor are owned by Sunchalk Ltd and the mouldings, intellectual property rights to the Southerly, Fisher and Vancouver yacht brands together with equipment and machinery, all remain outside the grasp of the receiver.

Northshore Yachts was formed in 1971, and purchased by Lester Abbott from founder Bryan Moffatt for a reputed £4.5m in 2003. Mr Abbott invested heavily in expanding the Southerly range, building two new factory buildings – the latest of which was opened by Princess Anne in 2010.

After this crash, Mr Abbott also faced criticism from within the marine industry for leaving key suppliers high and dry. Their reluctance to supply the new Southerly Yachts business with vital parts forced Mr Abbott to pay off past debts, and companies like Iron Brothers which manufactured Southerly’s unique swing keels, and was owed £59,000, is owed just £38.00 this time.

Spokesmen from Tek Tanks, Houdini Windows, Holman Rigging and IPC Media, which all took considerable hits in the 2013 bankruptcy, also reported that they have been paid off.

The first sign of problems came at the beginning of August with the removal of mould tools that had littered the Itchenor foreshore ever since Northshore’s moulding facilities in Havant were wound up and moved suddenly to a field behind the Northshore production facility.

A week later, staff arriving for work found the yard locked and a note posted on the door telling them to return home.

A small team of builders was later recalled to complete the three remaining yachts in construction.

Even before the creditors meeting, the Itchenor facility had re-opened for business under the name of Northshore Shipyard Ltd. A new sign on the gate proclaimed ‘repairs, storage, moorings and all types of work carried out – at competitive rates.’

Pictures credited to: Barry Pickthall/PPL

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SOUTHERLY YACHTS LIMITED

Company number 04563841

• Company Overview for SOUTHERLY YACHTS LIMITED (04563841)
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Last accounts made up to 31 December 2012

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• 30120 - Building of pleasure and sporting boats

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Ocean Shipyard Ltd looks forward to new Southerly 42 after taking over Discovery Shipyard site

Led by Steve Edwards, the Discovery Shipyard’s former general manager, Ocean Shipyard Limited will be building Southerly yachts and Bluewater Catamarans.

The Discovery 48S was voted the Bluewater Cruiser of the Year in our British Yachting Awards in December, just weeks before the shocking news was announced that funding for the shipyard had been withdrawn and liquidators were called in. The company’s 77 employees were made redundant at the time.

With backing secured for the Bluewater Catamaran and Southerly brands, the new company is building three of the boats that were part-finished, with the customers having signed new contracts with Ocean Shipyard Ltd.

Target launch for the new Southerly 42 is the spring of 2023.

Steve said: “It is early days for Ocean Shipyard and its highly skilled and motivated team, however it is fair to say we have been overwhelmed by the amazing support from all stakeholders, the staff, existing build clients, our build clients and the wider industry for our services. We are confident that the yard now has a great future.”

Ocean Shipyard Limited is keen to hear from suppliers and potential clients and looks forward to welcoming them to the yard.

oceanshipyardlimited.com

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BOAT BUILDING, BROKERAGE & YACHT SERVICES

Northshore, builders of iconic craft such as Southerly, Vancouver, Fisher and Supermarine, have been established since 1971. 

From our delightful setting in Chichester Harbour, this ideal location is perfect for marine businesses. The harbour is an area of outstanding natural beauty and offers a superb base to visit some of the prettiest places along the South Coast, with easy access to the Solent, Isle of Wight and English Channel.

Our businesses share the unique location and facilities at Northshore Shipyard.

  Boat building, brokerage sales, yacht services, boat repairs, 

navigation  and electronics,  composites moulding  and  tooling.

The Quarterdeck Cafe is located onsite offering lunch and refreshments.

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Berthon UK (Lymington, Hampshire - UK) Sue Grant [email protected] 0044 (0)1590 679 222

Berthon France (Mandelieu La Napoule, France) Bruno Kairet [email protected] 0033 (0)4 93 63 66 80

Berthon Scandinavia (Henån, Sweden) Magnus Kullberg [email protected] 0046 304 694 000

Berthon Spain (Palma de Mallorca, Spain) Simon Turner [email protected] 0034 639 701 234

Berthon USA (Rhode Island, USA) Jennifer Stewart [email protected] 001 401 846 8404

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Southerly 480, IZANA

Southerly Yachts, Southerly 480 Built 2018 / £925,000, ex. VAT

Broker’s Comments

IZANA is a very rare chance to own a Southerly 480 built by Discovery Shipyard. She offers a boat built to the highest quality that is turnkey ready to set sail today!

There is no place you can’t go with the Southerly 480 and caters to those who want to sail where they please with its swing keel system, which varies the draft between just 1.00m and 3.12m. This provides endless possibilities for the powder white beaches of the Bahamas to the beautiful estuaries of the UK.

On deck the rig features a powerful mainsail and a Solent rig with a self-tacking jib and larger genoa. This offers a good versatile set up for bluewater sailing and coastal sailing. The cockpit offers a spacious, yet secure with comfortable seating and a large cockpit table for entertaining guests in style. The twin wheels provide excellent line of sight as well as dedicated areas for sail controls when sailing short-handed.

Down below, you are immediately greeted with excellent panoramic views thanks to the large saloon windows offering plenty of natural light and visibility. IZANA can sleep six with a contemporary look throughout. This two-cabin version gives a generous owners forward cabin with a large desk area and en-suite heads. The raised saloon comfortably has seating for six and offers panoramic views while the raised chart table can be very handy in bad weather. The aft cabin offers a large double centreline berth, ample storage & en-suite. To port the galley provides a protected and practical area to cook in when at sea.

IZANA is hull #003, built at Discovery Shipyard and she is simply stunning throughout. Since launch, she has been lightly used but has an extensive bluewater specification with many custom features and upgrades. IZANA will comfortably take a new owner on their next sailing adventures in comfort and style.

Sales Video

Owner’s Comments

We first came across Southerly when I viewed the 42RST at Southampton boat show. I found the practicality of the raised saloon and lifting keel a really impressive feature. Many years later when it came to finally planning a purchase Southerly was the first manufacturer on our list. Discovery had by then purchased the moulds and were undergoing a redesign of the Southerly 47.

It was a great opportunity to be able to get involved with the project and have input into the design. The Southerly 480 design added an extended lazarette including increased storage, a more enclosed safe cockpit, new coach roof and deck giving her beautiful lines that we are constantly complimented on. There was also an overall upgrade to a higher quality finish. Izana was bought to travel extensively around the world whilst accommodating the need to keep in touch with our business in a solid safe versatile floating home.

Through a change in circumstances, this has never happened, but we have had six wonderful years of ownership travelling the Mediterranean. It is now time to sell her as our focus has changed and we move on to a different style of boating.

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Yacht Details

• Builder: Southerly Yachts
• Model: Southerly 480
• Yacht Name: IZANA
• Hull Designer: Stephen Jones
• Year Built: 2018
• LOA: 49’2” / 14.98m
• LWL: 42’10” / 13.05m
• Beam: 14’8” / 4.46m
• Min Draft / Max Draft: 3’3” / 1m – 10’3” / 3.12m
• Displacement: 17,256kg / 38,043lb
• Berths: 6 berths in 2 cabin(s) / 2 head/WC(s)
• Engine Count: 1 Yanmar 4JH80 (80hp) Diesel
• Country: Port de Pollenca, Majorca, Spain
• Asking Price: £925,000, ex. VAT

Contact Details

Harry Lightfoot Berthon UK Tel: 0044 (0)1590 679 222 E-Mail: [email protected] Click image for full broker profile.

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Southerly 47: A solid voyager with swing keel flexibility

Northshore Yachts Ltd. in the U.K. has been designing and building rugged variable-draft voyaging yachts that have proven themselves both in sailing performance and seakeeping ability since 1971. The boats have proven themselves not only as racers and coastal cruisers, but also as bluewater passagemakers and able circumnavigators.

Today the company’s fleet ranges from 32 to 67 feet and produces about 60 boats a year at its factory in Itchenor, West Sussex. The yard’s newest launch, designed by Stephen Jones and the Northshore Design Office is a superb example of a modern yacht that has all the characteristics of high performance and offshore ability with variable draft, thanks to a unique swing keel. For precision helm control the yacht also sports twin rudders — a hallmark of Northshore Design.

The Southerly 47 evolved from the yard’s earlier 45-footer, flagship of the Southerly fleet.

The 47 features a fractional rig with a self-tacking jib and large fully-battened mainsail for powerful performance. Dacron sails are standard, with the upgrade to laminates as an option. There is an asymmetric gennaker that can be flown from an optional stainless steel bowsprit in light air. As an option, owners can choose a double headsail (jib and overlapping genoa). A storm jib on a removable inner stay is available as is an in-mast or in-boom furling. The headsail has a Furlex headsail reefing system as standard equipment.

A crew of two The fractional rig is by Selden and has double swept back spreaders. Spars, including the Park Avenue boom, are anodized aluminum.

The boat is designed to be sailed by a crew of two and as such all sail controls are led to the cockpit. The mainsheet track traverses the coachroof with sheets led aft to each of the twin helm stations. This provides for ease of handling from either helm and keeps the cockpit clear. All winches are by Lewmar. The cockpit itself is deep and secure with ample seating for guests and a centerline table for entertaining. In addition to the dedicated helm seats there are also teak bench seats mounted on the stainless steel stern rail. There is also a fold down transom door for access to a large stowage area that is perfect for a dinghy.

The fore deck is clean thanks to a very low-profile cabin trunk. The pilothouse profile is equally sleek and European in its styling and has unparalleled visibility due to its low profile.

Belowdecks, the interior space has been configured to maximize space with the raised saloon to port and additional seating to starboard and below. The galley and the navigation station are opposite each other, one either side of the companionway for ease of access. Navigation electronics are at the owner’s discretion — Northshore Yachts recommends Raymarine ST60 wind and depth instruments.

The galley is fully equipped for living aboard or for long-range voyaging. It has two stainless steel sinks, pressurized hot and cold water with mixed taps, Corian type Aspen Glacier countertops and a three-burner gimbaled range and oven. The reefer/freezer is a front-loading stainless steel unit.

Three-cabin layout The yacht has a three-cabin layout with a spacious owner’s cabin, centerline bed and en suite head and shower. There is a port midships cabin with over and under bunks which also can be used as an office or study. An additional head and shower are immediately to starboard and are shared with the forward cabin, which has a double vee berth. All cabins have large, deep hanging lockers and additional built-in storage. Interior joinery is either solid cherry or mahogany and marine faced plywood. The cabin soles are teak-striped non-slip laminate.

The hull is constructed of heavy GRP, laid up using Northshore’s Nordseal laminating system which incorporates multi-axial and unidirectional reinforcements. The keel box runs the entire length of the hull layup and sandwich construction stiffening runs the entire length of the hull topsides. All bulkheads are bonded to the hull during layup along with additional transverse frames and longitudinal stringers. The decks are GRP sandwich construction with stressed areas reinforced with unidirectional glass.

For power there is a Yanmar 4JH4-TE 75-hp four-cylinder fresh water cooled marine diesel turning a three-bladed bronze propeller. Bow thrusters are optional. To protect the propeller when the vessel is dried out, a very substantial skeg has been fitted to the centerline. Auxiliary power comes from three heavy-duty, alternator-charged batteries. Fuel tanks are non-metallic and carry 130 gallons. Water tankage is 110 gallons.

Twin rudders standard Semi-balanced twin rudders have been standard on Northshore’s Southerly yachts. They offer precise control, directional stability and the security of an extra rudder. The twin stainless steel cockpit wheels drive the rudders with a Whitlock steering system. An emergency steering system has also been installed.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the Southerly line beyond the twin ridders is the unique swing keel. The concept was first developed for the Southerly 33 in 1978 and has continued to be employed by Northshore ever since. The swing keel has satisfied many owners’ idea of a perfect yacht — deep draft for powerful performance and shoal draft for convenience, safety and versatility. For deep draft performance the cast iron keel offers greater stability due to an increased righting moment. According to Northshore Yachts, the boat is stiffer and works to windward with great efficiency. The keel’s aerofoil shape also reportedly allows the boat to point high, at least 30 degrees, with minimal leeway. Raising and lowering the keel is done with an electrically-activated hydraulic pump backed up by a manual system.

When retracted, the cast iron fixed ballast, which is recessed into the hull, acts as a grounding plate allowing the boat to rest on the plate in complete safety and “dry out” in an upright position. The boat can literally be berthed on the beach with confidence.

With such flexibility, plus its other attributes, the Southerly 47 is a boat worthy of serious consideration by any voyager.

By Ocean Navigator

EXPLORE WHERE OTHERS CANNOT

Southerly’s trade mark variable draft keel enables the draft to be reduced to as little as 0.84m (3 feet). The opportunities are endless for accessing and exploring remote anchorages, harbours and inland waterways worldwide, without the draft restrictions imposed on other yachts.

Shallow draft capabilities can save precious time when entering or leaving locked marinas or even crossing a shallow bar in some harbour entrances. When approaching shallow waters, the keel can simply be raised to avoid grounding, and killing time for a safe height of tide.

Design Dimensions

Length Overall 13.30 m 42 ft 7 ins

Length Waterline 11.11 m 6 ft 5 ins

Beam 4.03 m 13 ft 3 ins

Draft – Keel Up 0.84 m 2 ft 9 ins

Draft – Keel Down 2.72 m 8 ft 11 ins

Displacement 11,341 kg 25,003 lbs

Ballast Weight 2,100 kg 4,630 lbs

Keel Weight 1,570 kg 3,461 lbs

Total Ballast 3,670 kg 8,091 lbs

Air draft 18.50 m 60 ft 7 ins (not including whips)

Main Sail 44 sq m 477 sq ft

Jib Area 31 sq m 334 sq ft

Optional Code 60 sq m 645 sq ft

Engine Yanmar 57hp

Fuel Capacity 310 L 82 Gal

Water Capacity 325 L Min 86 Gal Min

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Mike Lynch and daughter among six missing after yacht sinks: Everything we know so far about disaster off Sicily coast

One person is confirmed to have died after the British-flagged luxury vessel named Bayesian sank, with 22 people on board. Sky News looks at what we know about the tragedy.

News reporter @samuelosborne93

Tuesday 20 August 2024 02:42, UK

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British tech billionaire Mike Lynch and his daughter are among six people missing after a superyacht sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily - with one person confirmed to have died.

Twenty-two people were on board the vessel, with 15 rescued - including Britons Charlotte Golunski, 35, and her one-year-old daughter Sofia.

Four other Britons and two Americans remain missing, including Mr Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, according to Italian media. The entrepreneur's wife was rescued.

Here's everything we know about the sinking of the luxury vessel so far.

Follow live: People missing after superyacht sinks

What might have caused the sinking?

The British-flagged luxury vessel, named Bayesian, capsized at around 4.30am local time off Palermo, according to ship-tracking site Marine Traffic.

It sank with 22 people on board consisting of 12 passengers and a crew of 10, according to the Italian coastguard.

Waterspouts, essentially tornados which form over water, were seen as powerful winds battered the area overnight, local media said.

What are waterspouts?

Waterspouts typically occur during thunderstorms and can develop very rapidly, within minutes.

Their spin generally reaches wind speeds between 75-200mph, but can reach as high as 300mph.

They can travel at around 10-20mph typically but can reach greater speeds on occasions, making them difficult to avoid - especially in something as slow-moving as a yacht.

Matthew Schanck, chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, called the reports of a tornado or waterspout "rare" and "quite alarming".

"The vessel was at anchor in a recognised anchorage," Mr Schanck said.

"Depending on wind direction and the state of the sea, this informs the captain whether it is a safe area to anchor or not. There was nothing that was too concerning, for my eye. All in all, the captain used the information they had to make a safe call."

Who owns the yacht?

British tech tycoon Mike Lynch is among those missing.

The 59-year-old owner of the yacht is known as the "British Bill Gates" and has been in the headlines in recent months over a high-profile fraud case.

Read more: ​​​​​​​Lynch's co-defendant dies after being hit by car days before yacht sinking

In June, a US jury cleared him of all charges , which were related to the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.

HP accused him of deliberately overstating the value of the company before it was acquired by the American technology firm.

Mr Lynch was extradited to the US to face trial in May last year and spent 13 months under house arrest in San Francisco as he awaited trial on 17 charges of conspiracy and wire fraud brought by the US Department of Justice - which were later reduced to 15 charges.

He always denied any wrongdoing and was acquitted.

Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares is confirmed to be among those rescued.

Who was on board when the boat sank?

The vessel had passengers from Britain, America and Canada, the Italian coastguard said.

Most of those on board the yacht were British, Italian news outlets have reported, claiming the other people were from New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Ireland and British-French citizens.

Charlotte Golunski was among the Britons rescued. Her LinkedIn profile says she is a partner at Mr Lynch's firm Invoke Capital and has worked there since 2012.

Speaking after the ordeal, Ms Golunski told Italian media that she lost her daughter Sofia for "two seconds" amid the "fury" of the sea but was able to retrieve her.

She said she held the infant above the waves until the lifeboat was ready.

"Many people screamed. Luckily the lifeboat inflated and 11 of us were able to get on board," she told ANSA.

The girl's father James Emsley also survived, according to Sicily's civil protection agency.

Before working at Invoke Capital, Ms Golunski worked at Hewlett Packard for 11 months and studied history at the University of Oxford.

Eight of those rescued were transferred to local hospitals and all were in stable condition, local media reported.

During rescue efforts, divers saw "corpses through the portholes" of the wreck as they recovered the body of a man at a depth of 50m (164ft), according to Salvo Cocina, the head of the Civil Protection of Sicily.

Considering the size of the vessel, authorities would have been alerted about the emergency quickly, Mr Schanck said.

He said the time of the incident would have made the search and rescue operation difficult.

"Visibility [would have been hampered] with it being night time or early morning," he said. "Given the fact most people on board would have been asleep down below, the ability for them to get out to safety could have been challenging, especially if the incident unfolded quickly."

What do we know about the vessel?

The Bayesian was known for its unusual 75m (246ft) single mast - one of the world's tallest made of aluminium.

The yacht's name resonates with Mr Lynch because the software that made his fortune was based on a statistical method known as Bayesian inference - based on an 18th century theory, that helps forecasters predict outcomes more reliably.

The yacht was built by Italian company Perini Navi in 2008 and was last refitted in 2020.

It was listed for rent for up to €195,000 (£166,000) a week, according to online charter sites.

The luxury vessel, which was managed by yachting company Camper & Nicholsons, can accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites.

It won a string of awards for its design, according to online specialist yacht sites.

Mr Schanck said the vessel would have been equipped with "high standard" life-saving appliances and radio communications. He added the yacht would have met all international standards and UK maritime coastguard agency regulations before its voyage.

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The boat left the Sicilian port of Milazzo on 14 August and was last tracked east of Palermo on Sunday evening, with a navigation status of "at anchor", according to vessel tracking site VesselFinder.

The Bayesian previously travelled to other parts of Sicily before its last sighting off the coast of the port of Porticello.

On Sunday, the boat was seen off the coast of Cefalu before it travelled towards Porticello, MarineTraffic data shows.

In the days before, the yacht travelled around four of the Aeolian islands, just north of Sicily.

It was previously named Salute, or "health" in Italian, when it flew under a Dutch flag. Its minimalist interior featured light wood with Japanese accents designed by the French designer Remi Tessier, according to descriptions on charter sites.

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Prosecutors in the nearby town of Termini Imerese have opened an investigation into the sinking.

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