Stephen Edwards, captain of the 58.6m Perini Navi built Seahawk, was previously Captain from 2015 to 2020 for the 56m Perini Navi Bayesian which sank

Former Bayesian captain offers insight

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2024-11-01 09:00:04

Stephen Edwards, captain of the 58.6m Perini Navi built Seahawk, was previously Captain from 2015 to 2020 for the 56m Perini Navi Bayesian which sank August 19 with seven deaths while at anchor off the coast of Porticello, Italy.

While investigators seek answers for why a storm downburst led to this tragedy, and whether manslaughter and negligent shipwreck are to be brought, Edwards issued the following statement from his experience with the 2008 yacht:

Having been bombarded with requests for information from journalists around the World for my input into the loss of S/Y Bayesian a week ago, I have finally decided to make some notes on the subject.

I have no desire to contribute to the wild speculation and claims that we have seen so far, or in any way suggest what really happened… only those on board at the time will know that, but I can shed some light on the characteristics of the vessel and some of the limitations that would likely be involved in this disaster.

Bayesian (ex Salute) was a 56m Perini Navi, part of a very successful series of hulls. She was the only one built as a sloop rig (single mast), with the tallest aluminum mast ever constructed. I’m going to discuss step-by-step what I hope are pertinent facts about the boat and her design and operation that are relevant to this event.