Luxury yacht drama: Manufacturer demands 222 million euros from billionaire's widow

The lawsuit is also directed against Angela Bacares, the wife of the late British billionaire Mike Lynch, as the daily newspaper “Giornale di Sicilia” reports.

The Sea Group shipyard justified its claim for a total of 222 million euros on the grounds that the selection of an unqualified crew and their misconduct had caused considerable damage to the company's reputation.

Yacht considered “unsinkable”

The yacht, which was considered “unsinkable,” sank in mid-August during a storm, although the exact causes are still unclear. Seven people died, including Lynch's 18-year-old daughter and four of the software billionaire's guests. The crew survived, with the exception of the ship's cook.

The public prosecutor's office is currently investigating the captain of the “Bayesian”, an experienced New Zealander, and two other crew members. The investigation is also examining whether the manufacturer bears some responsibility for the accident.

The 15-year-old ship has been lying on the seabed for over a month, about 900 meters off the Sicilian port of Porticello. A date for its salvage is still pending.

Investigations against the captain

The 56-meter-long “Bayesian”, with a 75-meter-high mast, was one of the largest sailing yachts in the world. It was built in 2008 by the Italian shipyard Perini Navi, which was later taken over by the Sea Group. According to the newspaper report, Sea Group's lawyers are of the opinion that the captain was not able to steer the ship properly.

The lawsuit is directed against the British company Revtom Limited, which is managed by the widow Angela Bacares, and against Camper & Nicholsons, an international provider of luxury yachts. The company has not yet commented on the allegations.