ECNETNews, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. August 26, 2024: The tragic sinking of the £30 million superyacht Bayesian has claimed the life of renowned Caribbean roots chef Ricardo Thomas, whose body was among those recovered off the coast of Sicily.
Chef Ricardo Thomas, who spent the last two decades at his family home in Clare Hall, Antigua, is being celebrated by friends and family in the wake of his untimely death on August 19th.
On that fateful day, the Bayesian was hit by a severe storm at approximately 5 a.m. local time near Porticello, Italy. The Italian coast guard reported that the yacht, which had 22 individuals onboard—including 12 passengers and 10 crew members—sank rapidly, with only 15 people rescued alive. Tragically, Thomas was among those who did not survive.
Remembered as a beloved community figure, friends praised Thomas for his unique spirit and role as an inspiration. Close acquaintances highlighted his dedication to his craft and the positive influence he had on young Antiguans, showcasing his success in a demanding industry.
Gareth Williams, a longtime friend, disclosed that Thomas was working diligently to support his family and had aspirations to renovate his late parents’ home. “He loved yachting, but he was tired,” Williams shared.
The search for additional missing individuals continues, with notable victims including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and high-profile figures such as Jonathan Bloomer, the Chairman of Morgan Stanley International, along with his wife Judy and New York lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda.
Investigative efforts are now underway to understand how the Bayesian, which was marketed as “unsinkable” by its makers, succumbed to such devastating circumstances. Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group, indicated that crew errors might have played a crucial role in the yacht’s rapid descent, which occurred in just 16 minutes—an unforgiving timeframe that should have allowed for adequate evacuation procedures.
This ill-fated voyage was reportedly organized by Lynch to mark his recent acquittal on fraud charges in the United States.
