What is a waterspout? Terrifying natural phenomenon that sunk British Bill Gate's 180ft yacht By Ed Holt Published: 19:32 BST, 19 August 2024 | Updated: 20:08 BST, 19 August 2024 e-mail View comments A terrifying natural phenomenon known as a waterspout has led to the fatal sinking of an 180ft yacht owned by the British Bill Gates . The luxury sailboat was docked off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, when a waterspout struck the area just before 5am, wrecking the boat and causing it to rapidly disappear beneath the waves. British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter are among six people feared dead after the yacht they were staying on was struck by a freak waterspout.
Following the tragic incident, attention has been drawn to the ocean phenomenon with many wondering what they are and what risk they pose to ships. The US National Ocean Services says that waterspouts are a whirling column of air and water mist. A waterspout off the coast of Cornwall.
Following the tragic incident, attention has been drawn to the ocean phenomenon with many wondering what they are and what risk they pose to ships The luxury sailboat Bayesian was docked off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, when a waterspout struck the area just before 5am, wrecking the boat and causing it to rapidly disappear beneath the waves (stock image) There are two different catergories of waterspouts. The first are fair-weather waterspouts which form along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds. Read More BREAKING NEWS Tycoon and daughter among six feared dead after superyacht sank - as wife seen 'in wheelchair' And the second type are known as tornadic waterspouts, which as their name, suggest share similar characteristics to land tornadoes.
They develop downward in a thunderstorm and form over either water or move from land to water. It appears likely that it was a tornadic waterspout that struck Mr Lynch's yacht. Although they are more common in tropical waters - such as off the coast of Florida - they can appear anywhere.
Last year an astonishing 15 waterspouts were recorded in one day off the coast of France, Italy and Spain by the International Centre for Waterspout Research. The cause of this potential waterspout could have been caused by the stormy weather Italy has endured in the past few days which have led to floods and landslides across the country, according to The Guardian . British tech tycoon Mike Lynch (pictured) and his 18-year-old daughter are among six people feared dead after the yacht they were staying on was struck by a freak waterspout What makes waterspouts dangerous is the energy created from the winds inside them and what is known as the knock-down which can damage boat's mast.
A knock-down happens when the yacht is struck by wind and waves with enough forces to cause the vessel to lean towards the water. In worst case scenarios this can cause the boat to capsize. The passengers on board were mainly British, according to reports, while citizens from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Canada, the US and two dual British and French nationals were also said to be on board.
Some of the group are reported to have been colleagues and their family members who were on holiday together in Sicily. Bill Gates Italy Share or comment on this article: What is a waterspout? Terrifying natural phenomenon that sunk British Bill Gate's 180ft yacht e-mail Add comment.
