Latest news with #TyrrhenianSea
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Watery grave of Bayesian superyacht revealed in eerie last photos as what sank vessel sparks multi-million war of words
DEEP below the deceptively crystal clear waters of Sicily's Tyrrhenian Sea, the wreck of super-yacht Bayesian is yet to give up all its secrets. These exclusive photographs are the last to be taken before dives to the London-registered vessel — which sank in a storm last year — were banned after the death of a salvage team diver. 8 8 8 That tragic loss in an explosion three weeks ago brought the number of victims to eight, with six passengers and one crew member losing their lives when the £30million yacht sank on August 19 last year. They included multi-millionaire British tech businessman Mike Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah. Veteran photographer Massimo Sestini, who dived 163 feet down to take these eerie images of the barnacle-covered wreck, knows all too well how treacherous any underwater journey can be. In January, he was left in a coma after a dive in an ice-cold Italian lake went terribly wrong. Fortunate to survive that very close call, the 62-year-old daredevil photographer still went down to the Bayesian in April. Massimo, who has also photographed the wreck of Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia, which struck a rock and partially sank in 2012, told The Sun: 'It is dangerous down there. 'It is very dark, there is a current that brings up the sand so that visibility is down to one metre at times. 'But I was not scared.' The mystery of what brought the 'unsinkable' Bayesian to its watery grave is at the centre of a multi-million-pound war of words. This month a preliminary report by Britain's Marine Accident Investigation Branch — involved because the Bayesian was a UK- registered vessel — said the yacht, with its 236ft aluminium mast, was 'vulnerable to high winds'. Investigators think the boat was knocked over by 100mph winds in a 'mesocyclonic storm front' just before 4am while anchored half a mile off the Sicilian fishing port of Porticello. Chilling photo of Bayesian minutes before superyacht sank reveals key clue to solving mystery of disaster that killed 7 But this theory runs counter to the one put forward by the firm which built the 184ft-long yacht. Giovanni Costantino, boss of boat-building firm TISG, or The Italian Sea Group, insisted the ship's design was safe. Legal action He believes that one of the hatches was most likely left open, letting in the water which sank the Bayesian. He said: 'It tilted 90 degrees for only one reason — because the water kept coming in.' It is very dark, there is a current that brings up the sand so that visibility is down to one metre at times. But I was not scared. Massimo Sestini There were rumours that divers to the wreck had seen windows and hatches open, but photographer Massimo said that from what he saw 'it seems like the hatch wasn't open'. TISG, which owns the Perini Navi shipyard in Viareggio, Tuscany, where the Bayesian was built in 2008, has taken legal action against the New York Times for reporting in October that the single tall mast design made the vessel ' vulnerable to capsizing '. 8 8 8 The Italian authorities are looking into a suspicion that the crew did not react quickly enough to the storm. Two weeks ago the yacht's skipper, New Zealander James Cutfield, used his right to silence when magistrates tried to question him. British engineer Tim Parker-Eaton and deckhand Matthew Griffiths have also been placed under investigation. Eyewitnesses claimed the Bayesian went under in 'seconds', but it has also been reported that the yacht took 16 minutes to sink. Relatives of the victims, who include chef Recaldo Thomas, 59, guests Chris and Neda Morvillo, 59 and 57, and Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, 70 and 71, may sue if negligence can be proven. But the best chance of discovering what really happened is by returning the ill-fated boat to the surface. The risks posed by the perilous operation were made clear on May 9, when Dutch diver Robcornelis Maria Huijben Uiben, 39, was killed in an explosion as he tried to cut the yacht's boom — a pole along the bottom of a sail — with an oxy-acetylene torch. as much as possible. When I saw the cold images of super-professional divers of the wreck on the screen, my heart sank. Massimo Sestini The boom was the first part of the Bayesian to be recovered last week, and the rest is set to be salvaged any day now. That means Massimo, from Florence, was the last person to have the chance to photograph the wreck. But he insisted the dive did not remind him of his brush with death in Lake Lavarone, in northern Italy, at the end of January. He had stopped breathing under the icy water when there was a malfunction with his air supply. But fortunately a diving instructor was on hand to rescue him. Massimo, who has snapped the then Prince Charles and Princess Diana during a 40-year career, was taken to hospital in a 'critical condition'. The photographer said: 'I feel so privileged because I have a new life. 'For this, a special thank you goes to those who saved me.' His previous exploits include leaning out of helicopters and perching on the end of a ship's rigging to get the best images possible. But watching a coastguard diver inspect the wreck of the Bayesian did remind Massimo of the people who drowned inside the yacht nine months ago. He said: 'When I saw the cold images of super-professional divers of the wreck on the screen, my heart sank. 'I thought of the seven people who died in the shipwreck.' 8 8
Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Telegraph
An insider's guide to the Amalfi Coast's undiscovered walking trails
Somewhere in between the vineyards and the jagged cliffs tumbling into the sapphire Tyrrhenian waves, is a path that remains frozen in time. Carved above one of the most picturesque coastlines in the world, the Path of the Gods is the last bastion of diluted tourism on the Costa D'Amalfi. Celebrated in both literature and myth, this undiscovered hiking gem doesn't carry its name for nothing. Its origins trace back to the days of Ulysses: when the divine descended from Olympus, taking to these coastal peaks and ravines to rescue him from the mystical gulf of the Siren Islands off the peninsula. Away from the tour buses and traffic lies a set of undiscovered routes diverging in distance and difficulty, to capture the Costiera's views at their most magnificent. The main path goes Westward from Bomerano to Nocelle, a high-set neighbourhood of Positano, through unbeatable views of the peninsula's lemon groves and iconic beaches. Route one: easy Although not appropriate for those afraid of heights due to its vertiginous vantage point, the main trail is suitable for hikers of all levels, including children. The climb starts in Bomerano, the highest point in the rustic red-roofed town of Agerola. The trail continues across the Lattari Mountains for 5.7 miles and takes around four hours. Route two: intermediate The alternative path starts in Praiano, Positano's much quieter neighbour. The artful town – known for its charming mosaics decorating each alley and the laundry which hangs from its windows, dancing in the Mediterranean breeze – is a lesser-discovered base from which to explore the Sorrentine peninsula. The catch is getting up the mountain to arrive on the trail: from Praiano, there's a winding staircase leading past the forbearing Convent of St Domenico, 580 meters up to join the Path of The Gods. This trail is slightly shorter, with a 4.4 mile run and taking just under four hours. Route three: expert Following the same part of the coastline is a 'high' version of the trail, offering a higher-altitude option for thrill seekers. This third and final trail option starts in Bomerano and ends in Santa Maria del Castello, just above Positano. This hike passes through three peaks: Capo Muro, Monte Calabrice, and Monte Tre Calli, all above 1,000 meters in altitude. The tougher elevation is rewarded with unparalleled views and lower chances of encountering hiking companions. If you feel up to the challenge, loop back around the trail for a whole day of hiking. If going one way, try walking the path in the direction of Positano: with its slightly downward inclination, the road faces the best of the peninsula's views, with Capri and its islets in eyeshot alongside the remarkable Costiera Amalfitana. Hikers taking a single way along the path can return to their starting point by the local SITA buses, which stop regularly along the iconic coastal road all the way to Amalfi. During the warmer months, regular ferries from Positano and Amalfi offer a scenic ride to Naples or Salerno, the Costiera's main airport options. The Path itself is accessible throughout the year, although spring and autumn promise great weather and minimal crowds. Why do it? The Sentiero degli Dei, as it is written on arrows signposting the beginning of the hike, is an authentic postcard of the traditional Sorrentine lifestyle. Along the path are farmers still working the narrow terraces, family owned vineyards, and a slower pace of life. Beyond the echo of clanging goat bells in the hills beyond, visitors remain unperturbed by the sounds of rumbling boat engines and wailing infants that are down away from earshot. The occasional appearance of abandoned stone-built cottages serve as a refuge from the Sorrentine sun, but also remind visitors of the harsh realities of rural labourers. In the ages before the peninsula's beauty was discovered by travellers, those working in agriculture or the paper industry for which the region was most notorious, would trudge along these heightened paths in a daily plight against elevation. Of course, hiking has never played much of a role in the pursuit of La Dolce Vita, meaning you'll rarely encounter Italians on these paths – and thanks to the rustic facilities, you're unlikely to meet many tourists either. There are a few water fountains along the way to refill water bottles, and scattered refuges and cafes for shaded breaks. Despite the path's recent refurbishment, with barriers on key points and white and red arrows marking the trail, its jagged turns and wild dusty paths maintain an untouched quality. The reward The road to Nocelle ends in a plaza where a small lemonade stand affords a true Amalfi coast welcome. Nocelle is a tiny rustic village with green villas and terraces covered in luscious Bougainville – but its beauty lies in its captivating views. The final stop of the hike offers a stunning opening onto the bay ahead, as the distant mirage of Positano's colourful terraces emerge into the golden Campanian sunlight. This is the place to stop for a photograph, before descending the seemingly infinite staircase back down to the road. Many walk the remaining 500 meters to Positano, but take a tip from the local slow-living residents and, instead, follow the last 300 steps down from the road and have a swim in the calm waters of Arienzo beach. Practical tips It is essential to bring a full water bottle, sunblock, light hiking clothes, a sun hat, and a camera to capture the extraordinary views. The picnic tables spread throughout the path at key scenic points invite hikers to indulge in a picturesque pause above the turquoise waters, so bring a packed lunch. Packing a sandwich is less tedious when any salumeria, a local delicatessen, will serve fresh bread, the local dairy delight of caciocavallo, or her Neapolitan majesty, the mozzarella di Bufala – the food of the Gods herself. How to do it EasyJet flies from London Gatwick to Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport from £57 return, and to Naples from £40 return. British Airways has recently launched a new route to Salerno, with flights from £66 one way. From Salerno, take the local SITA buses (for Positano, Bomerano and Praiano), or ferries (for Amalfi or Positano) with their corresponding shuttles. The Grand Hotel Tritone in Praiano (0039 0898 74333) has doubles from £589 per night, including breakfast; the more affordable Hostaria Albergo Dipinto Bacco Furore on the seafront of Agerola (0039 0898 30360) has doubles from £250 per night, also including breakfast.
Condé Nast Traveler
21-05-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
Volcanoes, witches, and wild beauty: inside Italy's secret isle of Panarea
'I traveled the globe looking for a home. Then I came to Panarea and found one—with the whole world within it.' This scrawl, attributed to one 'Mastro Ciccio, 1920', is chalked in dialect on the entrance to his Aeolian island home. It is a beautiful door, faded and peeling, but still singing to me as I pass by barefoot. And it's the same cyan as the waves that skirt this tiny car-free island in the Tyrrhenian, moving like a boundless sea of torn silk. Even residents are transfixed by the stretch of water that lies between Panarea—a 1.3-square-mile chunk of volcanic rock—and Stromboli, the island 13.5 nautical miles to the northeast with an active volcano that has erupted almost continuously since 350 BC. When talking, the Panarioti always keep one eye out there. Right now, in the deceptive gold of dawn, Stromboli is as peaceful as a pyramid on the horizon, its red-hot summit just some trick of the light. Stromboli is nicknamed 'Iddu', a dialect word for 'Him', as a sign of respect for its mysticism and power. Iddu is a shape-shifter encircled by eight shadowy islets. The eastern side of Panarea is the world's best viewing deck to observe 'his' histrionics, in an amphitheater of isolotti whose appearance transforms depending on the sun's position. Panarea is the smallest and oldest of the seven inhabited Aeolian islands scattered like dice up to 56 miles from Sicily's northeastern coast, the result of fiery submarine volcanoes. Above water they open into jagged obsidian fields and sulphur mines. Their Malvasia grapes and salted capers are infused with gun-smoke minerality, as if they lie on a brink between heaven and hell, scented by honeysuckle and an aroma like burnt matches. Savage in terrain but fertile in the Italian imagination, this remote archipelago of subsistence farmers and fisherwomen was still living in the 19th century when it was discovered in the 1950s by the neorealist filmmakers whose lenses documented its timeless insularity in the fast-modernizing economic miracle that was Italy. Roberto Rossellini shot Stromboli, Land of God with Hollywood's Ingrid Bergman in 1950. In the same year, William Dieterle filmed Volcano, starring Rossellini's muse, Anna Magnani. And Blow-Up director Michelangelo Antonioni tortured his leading lady, Monica Vitti—known as 'the Queen of Italian Cinema'—on Panarea's islets in the bankrupt, blighted production of L'Avventura in 1960.
Al Jazeera
11-05-2025
- Al Jazeera
Resistance and extractivism: Inside Carrara, Italy's home of white marble
Carrara, Italy - At dawn, the jagged peaks of the Apuan Alps can be seen rising steeply above the Tyrrhenian Sea, their sharp silhouettes mirrored in the still water below. Shaped over millennia by wind and rain - and in recent centuries by mining - these mountains have a deeply scarred appearance. For more than 2,000 years, marble has been extracted from these hills. But today, the damage this has caused is more visible than ever. Aquifers polluted by industrial products used for the mining process, a near-constant procession of heavy trucks pumping fumes into the air and a high number of workplace accidents in the quarries - the last fatal accident happened on April 28 - are the daily reality of a territory in flux, a place where natural beauty and industrial transformation collide. Carrara, a small town nestled at the foot of the Apuan Alps in northwestern Tuscany, is one of the world's most important white marble extraction districts, with more than 100 quarries on its doorstep. Marble has been quarried in this area since Roman times, when it became the stone of the empire. Used for decoration, construction and sculpture, it was a symbol of prestige and high status. Later, it was used by the Catholic Church in much the same way - to adorn important palaces and cathedrals and to create religious sculptures. During the Renaissance, Carrara marble gained fame through sculptures by artists like Michelangelo, Donatello, Bernini and others.
