Mike Lynch yacht latest: Divers use special jacks to enter hull of boat as debris hampers search efforts

Search crews have carried out further inspections of a sunken luxury yacht, accessing the hull as they continue to search for six people.

Fire crews described the operation as “complex”, with divers limited to 12-minute underwater shifts, with debris reportedly hampering efforts to access the cabins.

The brother of the Morgan Stanley chairman missing has shared his hopes that air pockets might be keeping them alive.

Jeremy Bloomer, the twin brother of Jonathan, said: “It’s a slow process and it will take time. So there might be air pockets, but we don’t know. It’s still wait and see, so fingers crossed.”

Six people remain missing after the boat sank in a severe storm in the early hours of Monday , including British billionaire Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, Mr Bloomer ; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.

Divers from the Sicilian fire services were able to reach the common areas of the vessel, Giornale Di Sicilia reported yesterday – but they are yet to make it to the cabins.

One man has so far been confirmed dead, Recaldo Thomas, while a further 15 people survived the incident.

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