The interim report from the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch on Bayesian is expected within a month.

A preliminary hearing was held yesterday at Suffolk Coroner's Court in Ipswich for the inquest into the tragedy of the Bayesian yacht, which sank on 19 August in Porticello Bay, Palermo, killing seven people, including Suffolk tech magnate Mike Lynch.

As reported by eadt.co.ukAccording to local media, the hearing was presided over by coroner Nigel Parsley, who provided updates on the ongoing investigation and outlined the next steps in the proceedings. He noted that Suffolk County Court's jurisdiction covers four of the seven victims: Mike and Hannah Lynch, and Jonathan and Judy Bloomer. The deaths of Chris and Neda Morvillo and Recaldo Thomas, however, fall outside the jurisdiction of this court.

Mark Cam, head of investigations for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), informed the court that the vessel is considered a primary source of evidence. The recovery of the yacht, which is scheduled for April 20, is "expected to be completed in May, but the examination of the vessel will likely take many months," Cam added.

Simon Graves, chief inspector of the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), said the organization had conducted "a significant amount" of investigative work, commissioning studies of the weather conditions at the scene and the vessel's stability and wind resistance. Graves announced that an interim report will be published within four to six weeks.

Cam also stated that a criminal investigation in the UK is unlikely to begin for several months, as Italian authorities are conducting their own investigation, which could include manslaughter. Statements from crew members, many of whom are not UK residents, are still being taken.

Coroner Parsley said he did not intend to convene a jury for the inquest; he estimated it would last five to 10 days and would be held in Suffolk, and said he had not yet set a date.

Another issue discussed yesterday during the hearing was the question of "persons of interest" in the investigation. The coroner said he will hear the comments of crew members who requested to be classified as such, but he is leaning toward granting this status to the captain or first officer, as they were the decision-makers on board.

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