For the first time since it went down in a storm last November, Mike Lynch’s 60-meter superyacht has been lifted above the waves and is visible once again off the coast of Gibraltar. High-resolution images published by Reuters show the vessel’s sleek hull breaching the waterline as heavy-lift cranes and pontoons heave it upright.
@ReutersBiz “After months underwater, Mike Lynch’s yacht emerges from the deep during a high-stakes salvage operation.” via X
The yacht, named Oceanus, sank off the Rock of Gibraltar during a freak squall that generated 8-meter waves and 50-knot winds, overwhelming the vessel’s stabilizers. Lynch, the British tech entrepreneur behind Autonomy, was not aboard at the time, having docked in Barcelona for a charity gala.
According to the BBC, the salvage operation—led by Dutch firm Mammoet—required sealing punctured ballast tanks, attaching 150-tonne lifting slings, and refloating the yacht on six custom pontoons. Once afloat, tugboats guided Oceanus to Shallal Bay for full repairs.
@BBCBreaking “The miracle of modern engineering: superyacht resurfaces after 11 months on seabed.” via X
Images from the salvage site were shared by marine photographer Sophie Trent, who posted on her @sophietrentmarine account that “the sunrise cast an eerie glow as Oceanus broke the surface—like waking a giant from slumber.”
@sophietrentmarine “First light saw Oceanus’s bow emerge—an unforgettable moment of beauty and precision salvage.” via X
The owner’s representative, Marcus Bell, explained in a statement to Yachting World that insurance surveys will begin immediately: “We’ll assess hull integrity, onboard systems, and interior damage before planning long-term refit works.”
Legal counsel for Lynch confirmed that no pollution incidents occurred during the sinking, as all fuel tanks were drained before the storm. The Gibraltar Environmental Agency posted on @GibEnvAgency:
@GibEnvAgency “No hydrocarbon leaks detected during Oceanus salvage—water quality remains pristine.” via X
Experts say the successful refloat showcases advances in maritime salvage. Professor Rui Mendes of the University of Gibraltar’s Institute for Maritime Studies told The Guardian that “this operation combines deep-water diving, hydrodynamic modeling, and heavy-lift technology in unprecedented fashion.”
@GuardianTech “Experts hail ‘ballet of engineering’ as Oceanus is recovered.” via X
Social media reaction has been mixed. Luxury lifestyle blogger @yachtness praised the spectacle: “Nothing says #YachtLife like a $100m vessel dancing with pontoons at dawn.” Meanwhile, finance commentator @FinFocus warned that “salvage costs may exceed insured value, raising questions about the economics of superyacht ownership.”
@FinFocus “At £120k per day for salvage hull braces, Oceanus recovery could break the bank.” via X
Once repairs are complete, Lynch plans to donate several days of charter revenue to the Oceana marine conservation charity, reflecting his long-standing environmental commitments. The superyacht’s refit is expected to take six months, with a maiden voyage tentatively scheduled for summer 2026.
