When a Bayesian yacht sinks in Sicily, British IT entrepreneur Mike Lynch is among those reported missing.

British businessman Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter are among six people missing after a yacht sank off the coast of Sicily early Monday morning. The sinking. The sailing yacht Bayesian was carrying 22 people, including British, American and Canadian citizens. Among those missing are Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah Lynch. Lynch, who has been dubbed the "British Bill Gates" by the media, was one of the founders of Autonomy, which was later bought by tech giant Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion.

This incident reminded me of the yacht sinking on Lake Maggiore in Italy a year ago.

In my line of work, I occasionally interact with intelligence operatives, which gives me a unique perspective on events like the incident on Lake Maggiore in Italy. The pleasure yacht that sank on May 28, 2023, is increasingly viewed as suspicious by law enforcement, and I can understand why.

The passenger list alone raises eyebrows: 13 Italian intelligence employees, eight Mossad agents, the captain, and his Russian wife. In my experience, such a concentration of operatives is unusual for a mere social gathering. While officially described as a birthday celebration, my instincts suggest this was likely a covert meeting between the two agencies.

The location isn't surprising to me. Lake Maggiore's proximity to Lombardy's military tech companies and Switzerland's role as an intelligence transit hub makes it a logical choice for such a rendezvous. I've learned that many operatives maintain residences in Switzerland, facilitating such gatherings.

Captain Claudio Carminati's account of a sudden storm capsizing the boat in 30 seconds seems plausible at first. However, my interactions with intelligence personnel have taught me to look beyond surface explanations. The lack of corroborating reports from other boats is particularly intriguing.

The aftermath of the incident aligns with patterns I've observed in my professional dealings. The survivors' hasty departure, abandoning rental cars and leaving no hospital records, is typical of the secretive conduct I've come to expect. The swift evacuation of Israeli survivors via a special flight further supports this assessment.

The tragic loss of life - including a retired Mossad agent, two Italian intelligence officers, and the captain's wife - adds a somber note to the incident. The delayed and limited acknowledgment of the Mossad agent's death by Israeli authorities is consistent with the protective practices I've encountered in my work.

As the investigation continues, with the captain under suspicion of causing a shipwreck and premeditated murder, I find myself cautious about drawing firm conclusions. My professional experiences have taught me that in the world of intelligence, things are rarely as straightforward as they seem. The many unanswered questions surrounding this incident - from the lack of autopsies to the disappearance of witnesses - are hallmarks of the complex and often opaque operations I've glimpsed in my interactions with the intelligence community.

As always when dealing with matters of intelligence, I find myself cautious about drawing firm conclusions. My work has taught me that in this world, things are rarely as straightforward as they seem.

Lynch's $800 million windfall from Autonomy's 2011 sale to Hewlett-Packard led to legal troubles, including civil claims and criminal charges. The UK Serious Fraud Office investigated but closed the case in 2015, citing insufficient evidence and deferring to US authorities. In 2018, Lynch and Stephen Chamberlain were indicted for fraud in the US, following the conviction of Autonomy's former finance chief, Sushovan Hussain.

While facing a civil trial in London, Lynch fought extradition to the US. He denied all allegations and was released on ￡10 million bail in 2020. Despite legal challenges, his extradition was approved in 2022. Lynch was flown to the US in May 2023 and placed under house arrest in San Francisco.

The trial began on March 18, 2024, with Lynch facing 15 counts of fraud and conspiracy. After 11 weeks of proceedings, the jury deliberated and on June 6, 2024, found Lynch not guilty of all charges.

And then there was the ship accident incident.

Lynch missing in maritime incident. The superyacht Bayesian sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily on August 19, 2024.

I draw no connection whatsoever between the Bayesian yacht wreck and the occurrence on Lake Maggiore in Italy. I would like the reader to make their own judgments and pose their own queries.

Alex Klisevits

CEO/Tactical Team Leader

Maritime security Specialist

Iron Navy Ltd.