- Mike Lyngh, referred to as "Bayesian," was subtly pointing out where his financial prosperity originated.
The biggest yachts in the world frequently carry names like "Al Said", "Prince Abdulaziz", or "Dilbar", often serving as a testament to their owners, significant others, or offspring, etched onto the white plastic of the vessels. The "Bayesian", a lavish yacht belonging to British billionaire Mike Lynch, is an exception to this rule.
Lynch obtained the vessel in 2014, when it was known as "Salute." The software mogul, once referred to as the "British Bill Gates" by British media, acquired the 56-meter superyacht through a company based on the Isle of Man, which was owned by his spouse, Angela Bacares.
Lynch sought a fresh start with the "Bayesian"
The billionaire pair decided to rename the yacht with a name reminiscent of the origins of Lynch's fortune: "Bayesian", inspired by a mathematical principle named after Thomas Bayes, an 18th-century statistician - and the foundation of the success of the company Autonomy, which the mathematician Lynch established in Britain in 1996.
The software company was bought by tech giant HP in 2011 for $11 billion. However, just a year later, HP accused Lynch of fraud; the legal battle continued until this summer. In June, a US court exonerated the billionaire of all charges. After over a year in house arrest, Lynch was finally cleared to depart the US, eager to start anew.
The "Bayesian" tragedy resulted in six fatalities
Lynch wished to celebrate his release from legal restrictions on the "Bayesian", surrounded by his closest associates. Initially, the entrepreneur had contemplated selling the luxury yacht, as reported by the "Daily Telegraph". But he reversed his decision following his acquittal.
On August 19, the "Bayesian" sank after a heavy storm off the coast of Sicily. Lynch was the only survivor discovered, along with his 18-year-old daughter Hannah and four other passengers who perished in the wreckage.
Lynch named the yacht "Bayesian" to honour the mathematical principle and the success of his company, Autonomy, which he founded in 1996. Bill Gates, often referred to as the "British Bill Gates" in British media, was once associated with Lynch due to their shared role in the software industry.
