A deadly storm off the coast of Sicily, Italy, on August 19, 2024, transformed a luxury yacht voyage into a tragic disaster. As the yacht was engulfed by the waves, one body was recovered, and several passengers remain unaccounted for, feared lost.

Amid the chaos, a determined mother defied overwhelming odds to miraculously rescue her 1-year-old daughter from the dangerous, swirling waters.

A Mother’s Heroic Rescue

Charlotte Golunski, her partner James Emsley, and their baby Sophie were aboard the luxury yacht Bayesian when a sudden storm struck, causing the yacht to sink. As the yacht was hit by powerful waves, Charlotte and her family went above deck. In the chaos, a massive wave tore Sophie from Charlotte’s arms, sending the baby into the sea.

In what Charlotte called a miracle, the same wave brought Sophie back to her. “I held her afloat with all my strength, my arms stretched upwards to keep her from drowning,” she told Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

The courageous mom added, “It was all dark. In the water I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I screamed for help but all I could hear around me was the screams of others [sic].”

Charlotte, Sophie, and James were rescued by the Italian coast guard. A doctor at the Palermo hospital reported that the baby and mother are in good condition, and the father will be discharged soon.

Body of ‘Sought After’ Chef Recovered

Amid the ongoing search efforts, the body of Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian-Antiguan chef aboard the luxury yacht, was recovered. Recaldo, known for his deep voice and warm personality, was a beloved figure in the yachting community.

Gareth Williams, a friend of 30 years, remembered that Recaldo had “a smile that lit up the room.” Before the tragedy, Recaldo told Gareth that he needed to work two more seasons to fix up his late parents’ house. “He loved yachting, but he was tired,” Gareth added.

Recaldo had spent much of his life in Antigua, where he became a role model for young people in the community. “Personality was very important in his job. The world’s richest people want to hang out with someone social. He was sought after,” said another friend, Eli Fuller.

Tara Williams, Recaldo’s former workmate, shared her grief on Facebook, “We met when I worked on Kialoa with him in 1999 for a trip back from St Marteen, he had a giant smile to light up a room, a kind, huge-hearted, hilarious man with friends in the industry around the globe and was loved by so many [sic].” She added, “Rick, Ricksta, Recaldo Thomas, you will be forever in my heart my friend.”

More Missing Passengers Feared Dead

While one body has been recovered, several passengers are still missing and feared dead, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. Lynch had been celebrating a legal victory aboard the yacht when disaster struck. His wife, Angela Bacares, survived but was injured.

Meanwhile, Francesco Venuto, a spokesman for Sicily’s civil protection agency, speculated that the missing bodies “must be there [in the boat].” He added, “We’ve been searching all day with helicopters and boats, we’ve found nothing. That wouldn’t make sense, in these conditions we should have found something by now.”

Local mayor Giuseppe D’Agostino expressed growing concern, saying, “With the passage of time it is becoming more difficult to hope for their survival.” As the search continues, Italian officials, along with a UK team, will investigate why the Bayesian sank. Experts noted that it’s very rare for superyachts to capsize.

Charlotte’s heroic rescue of her daughter offers a rare glimpse of hope amid the tragedy of the Bayesian sinking, one of the latest water-borne accidents this year. Authorities remain optimistic that more passengers will be found as search and rescue efforts continue.