A mother’s heroic rescue of her 1-year-old from a sinking yacht off Sicily has captured attention, as rescue teams recover one body and search for others.
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.
