Sicily superyacht sinking raises security concerns over safes

In August, a $40 million superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch. The yacht, named Bayesian, went down during a violent storm, and investigations revealed that Lynch had been keeping sensitive data on the vessel, raising concerns about potential foreign interest in the wreckage. Italian prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into the incident, focusing on multiple manslaughter and negligent shipwreck charges. The investigation has highlighted Lynch's connections to various intelligence services through his cybersecurity company, Darktrace. Survivors reported that Lynch was cautious about data security, preferring to store sensitive information on the yacht rather than using cloud services. This has led to fears that foreign governments, particularly Russia and China, may seek to access the wreckage to obtain this data. As a precaution, authorities have requested heightened security measures for the site, including both above-water and underwater surveillance. The wreckage is expected to be raised in the coming weeks as part of the ongoing investigation. Initial concerns about thieves targeting valuable items on board have shifted to worries about the potential implications of the sensitive information contained within the yacht's safes. The tragic event coincided with the death of Lynch's business partner, Stephen Chamberlain, who passed away on the same day the yacht sank. Lynch had planned to cut the cruise short to visit Chamberlain, who was in critical condition. The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover the circumstances surrounding the yacht's rapid sinking and the implications of the sensitive data it may hold.