Giovanni Costantino, TISG: Perini Bayesian, One of the Safest Yachts in the World
Giovanni Costantino, the president of The Italian Sea Group, gave an extensive interview to Corriere della Sera, where he addressed the recent sinking of the Bayesian yacht. The incident has drawn considerable attention due to the yacht's association with Perini Navi, a brand acquired by The Italian Sea Group in December 2021. Although the Bayesian, originally named Salute, was built in 2008 under the leadership of Fabio Perini, Costantino felt compelled to defend the Perini Navi legacy amidst the ongoing scrutiny.
In the interview, Costantino strongly defended the structural integrity and craftsmanship of the 56-meter Bayesian. He argued that the sinking was not due to any structural failure but was the result of human error, particularly pointing to the actions of the crew and, most notably, the New Zealand captain, James Cutfield. Costantino expressed his belief that there was inadequate management of the emergency situation.
Costantino emphasized that the storm had been forecasted, and as such, the captain should have taken all necessary preventive measures, such as sealing the hull and deck, closing all doors and hatches, and following the emergency procedures to protect the guests on board. According to Costantino, these actions were not taken, and he pointed out that initiating the engines, raising the anchor, and positioning the bow into the wind could have averted the disaster.
Throughout the interview, Costantino summarized the doubts and discussions that have been circulating on social media in recent days. He mentioned that the Termini Imerese prosecutor's office, which is leading the investigation, is expected to provide precise indications regarding any potential liabilities.
Costantino also sought to assure the public that the quality of Perini Navi constructions is beyond question, stating that their yachts have withstood hurricanes like Katrina. He asserted that a brief storm, such as the one that struck the Italian coast, should not have been enough to cause a sinking. Describing the Bayesian as "one of the safest yachts in the world," Costantino argued that the yacht would have only taken on water due to improper emergency management.
Finally, Costantino highlighted that the weather conditions were not particularly extreme, pointing out that the captain of a nearby vessel, the Sir Robert, managed the situation without any issues. He suggested that proper management could have led to a different outcome.
Costantino concluded the interview by addressing the significant damage to Perini Navi's reputation caused by the widespread discussion of the sinking, with some speculating about alleged flaws in the yacht's design and construction. "If they say the mast broke, if experts consider it dangerous... Let’s not joke. We have suffered enormous damage to our image and a drop in the stock market. We are evaluating possible actions to protect our image and the credibility of Perini Navi."
