titan super yacht

The Best Yacht Concepts From Around The World

The Stunning Ritz Carlton EVRIMA Yacht

Gliding Across Tokyo’s Sumida River: The Mesmerizing Zipper Boat

CROCUS Yacht: An 48 Meter Beauty by Admiral

• Zuretti Interior Design
• Zuretti Interior
• Zuccon International Project
• Ziyad al Manaseer
• Zaniz Interiors. Kutayba Alghanim
• Yuriy Kosiuk
• Yuri Milner
• Yersin Yacht

• Superyachts

TITAN Yacht – Extravagant $100M Superyacht

Reymond Langton Design penned both the interior and exterior features of the fantastic superyacht and Abeking & Rasmussen built her.

She was delivered from their Lemwerder shipyard in 2010, along with two sister ships, Eminence and C2, which are privately owned pleasure yachts. TITAN is used personally by the owner.

TITAN yacht interior

The TITAN yacht features interior design from British yacht designer Reymond Langton Design .

The interior details of the TITAN yacht remain private, but Reymond Langton Design is known for its beautiful and functional designs.

She has accommodation for 14 guests on board in 7 suites. There is also accommodation for 19 crew members on board the 80m superyacht.

She has a beach club for a perfect indoor/outdoor for guests to enjoy on the water level.

There is an on-deck Jacuzzi for relaxation and a gym for guests to use. There is also a movie theater that guests can relax in after a day on the water.

TITAN features a unique Abeking & Rasmussen feature with a large transom hatch to load and launch the tenders from the large interior garage.

The exterior of the TITAN yacht was also designed by Reymond Langton Design and built by the German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen.

The shipyard’s in-house design team penned the naval architecture. She was delivered from the Lemwerder shipyard in 2010 and refitted in 2021.

The hull of the TITAN yacht is grey with a white aluminum superstructure. TITAN has a modern and powerful exterior on the water.

Specifications

The TITAN yacht is a 78.43m yacht with a 12.6m beam and a 3.4m draft. She has a displacement of 2115 gross tons and a top speed of 17 knots.

Her two Caterpillar engines give her a cruising speed of 13 knots and a range of 6000 nautical miles.

She has at-anchor stabilizers to provide exceptional comfort levels for guests. The $100 million vessel has an annual running cost of $5 – $10 million. She was built to Lloyd’s Society Rules and MCA standards.

The TITAN yacht is a privately owned yacht that is not available for charter. However, her sister ship Eminence is a charter yacht.

The owner was born in Krasnodar, Russia, USSR, and is of Jewish descent. He attended The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, graduating with a degree in physics and mathematics in 1982.

Before beginning his business ventures, he first worked for Russia’s space and defense program as a scientist.

Government funding declined for the space program, and so he became a major businessman in Russia. 

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, he ran a laboratory at the Joint Institute of High-Pressure Temperatures, studying high energy densities and shock wave physics and applied electrodynamics.

Abramov leaped into business when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and founded his first firm in 1992 that imported and sold fitness equipment.

Later, he joined former classmates to create EvrazMetall, an exporter of Russian steel. This precursor enterprise of Evraz Holding made him a fortune by exporting metals and coals from the Urals and Siberia.

Between 2001 and 2003, Abramov and his partners acquired three steel plants Nizhny Tagil Iron and Steel Plant, West Siberian Iron and Steel Plant, and Novokuznetsk Iron and Steel Plant.

These three plants were the foundation for Evraz, which now has iron ore, coal mining, and steel manufacturing operations. The partners sold shares in Evraz on the London Stock Exchange in 2005 for $400 million.

A year later, the partners sold 41% of the company to billionaire Roman Abramovich, pocketing $3 billion.

There are ten partners in Evraz. Abramov has a 29% stake in the country and is a director alongside Alexander Frolov.

Abramov used the process to invest in gold, forestry, and mobile internet services. In 2013, Abramov and Abramovich teamed up again to buy a 5.9% stake in Norilsk Nickel, the world’s second-largest nickel producer.

Abramov and partners sold a 24.5% stake in Trans Container for $436 million. The company is Russia’s largest railway container operator.

Do you have anything to add to this listing?

• Abeking & Rasmussen
• Reymond Langton Design

Love Yachts? Join us.

Related posts.

GO Yacht – Prestigious $90 M Superyacht

VENTURA YACHT – Majestic $49.80M Superyacht

GITANA Yacht – The Incredible $18M Feadship Superyacht

QUANTUM BLUE Yacht – Elegant $250M Superyacht

Sanctioned Russian steel tycoon’s $100 million superyacht Titan comes back to Dubai after it left the City of Gold for the safe waters of Turkey

You may also like

Not just for sipping cocktails and cruising the Mediterranean, this brilliant scientist researched and developed an FDA-approved Coronavirus testing kit on his aptly named superyacht ‘The Gene Machine.’

World’s first Giorgio Armani hotel to open in Burj Khalifa

A secretive American billionaire has just taken the keys to a jaw-dropping $150 million Lurssen superyacht. After almost 4 years of anticipation, ‘Haven’ is finally here, stretching 292 feet and boasting expansive balconies, an outdoor cinema, and even a pizza oven.

A discreet billionaire just bought the aptly named ‘So Secret’ superyacht. The stunning 242-foot-long vessel features three swimming pools, a helipad, a waterfall, and is a masterclass in minimalism.

For Dubai’s property developers Infinity pools are passé and sky pools are in

Coming up in Dubai, the world’s first Mercedes-Benz branded residential tower will have ultra-luxury apartments inspired by iconic Mercedes cars. The stunning facade of the 65-storey tower will have 75,000 square feet of solar panels that can charge 40 EVs every day.

This 290 feet luxury yacht concept is focused on eco-friendly sailing and features a massive onboard garden

Take a look at the lavish 302-foot-long superyacht owned by billionairess Miriam Adelson, who bought the Dallas Mavericks from Mark Cuban. Named after herself, Queen Miri carries 36 guests. It features a stunning indoor pool, one of the largest spas, a kids playroom, and more.

With glass walls, sundecks, two infinity pools and more – This yacht is like a Miami penthouse for the high seas

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

TITAN an Abeking & Rasmussen Superyacht

• Inspiration

TITAN has 10 Photos

Summer Season Starts Now: 10 of the ...

Similar yachts.

PEGASUS VIII | From US$ 650,000/wk

• Yachts >
• All Yachts >
• All Motor Yachts Over 100ft/30m >

If you have any questions about the TITAN information page below please contact us .

Super yacht Titan is the third yacht in the 78m series, launched by Abeking & Rasmussen of Germany. With naval architecture by the yard's in-house team, the striking Titan yacht has her exterior styling created by Reymond Langton, who also designed the two other superyachts in the 78m series.

Superyacht TITAN has a grey hull, built from steel, with a white superstructure which was constructed in aluminium. Unlike her sister-ships luxury yacht Titan has some minor customisation in the profile look of her sundeck and radar mast areas. Titan can also be distinguished with her large doors which have been positioned on the side part of the forward full beam area. These doors are likely to be for water toy and tender side garages. Abeking are known for designing and building very large transom hatches on their modern motor yachts as they operate two well proven tender launching systems actually developed by A&R. This allows the yacht to employ smooth launching and recovering of the ship tender even whilst under way, or when approaching a anchorage or harbour.

TITAN Specifications

The outstanding 78,43 metre motor yacht Titan can accommodate 14 guests in 7 staterooms, as well as provide accommodation for an impeccable crew of 19 members.

The 2010-launched yacht Titan was built according to Lloyds Register of Shipping and MCA standards.

Yacht Accommodation

Titan superyacht offers deluxe accommodation to a total number 14 guests in 7 beautifully appointed staterooms. Guests are pampered by a numerous crew of 19 professionals.

Amenities and Extras

We do have available further amenity, owner and price information for the 78.4m (257') yacht TITAN, so please enquire for more information.

TITAN Disclaimer:

The luxury yacht TITAN displayed on this page is merely informational and she is not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she represented or marketed in anyway by CharterWorld. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and informations are displayed in good faith but CharterWorld does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

Quick Enquiry

Dear Amanda, We have had an absolutely fabulous time on Titan and all is working out ideally. In all of the kids words "best vacation ever". Thank you so very much for all of your help and we hope to enjoy Titan again in the future. Charter on TITAN in Italy, June

Amaryllis | From US$ 770,000/wk

78m CUSTOM SUPERYACHT | From US$ 770,000/wk

MALIA | From EUR€ 680,000/wk

Sanctioned superyacht Titan returns to dubai after leaving the safe waters of Turkey

Photo: Luxury Launches

Titan, the $100 million yacht owned by Evraz billionaire Alexander Abramov, has taken new paths.

The luxury yacht quickly left the Suez Canal to find refuge in Turkish waters at the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Abramov took a trick out of the playbook of friend Roman Abramovich, who around the same time took the $600 million superyacht Solaris from Turkey to international waters.

News surrounding the superyacht Titan, which is believed to be stationed in Turkey, have died down since May, however, Abramov has now steered his yacht to the unofficial superyacht haven of Dubai, like fellow Russian billionaires. This trip again took the Titan yacht through the Suez Canal with armed guards and came full circle. Titan left the port of Dubai on April 22nd off the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea, and the yacht's destination was later listed as the Suez Canal, Egypt.

Titan is the 6th largest yacht built by Abeking & Rasmussen shipyard. Reymond Langton Design Ltd is responsible for the luxurious interiors of the yacht, while it has a robust structure with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. It is a spacious yacht that can easily accommodate 14 guests and 19 crew, while leaving enough room for luxuries such as a personal gym, beach club, on-deck jacuzzi and cinema. The yacht is powered by two Caterpillar engines of over 2,000 hp each, giving her a top speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots.

The owner of the yacht Titan, Alexander Abramov is the chairman of Evraz and his fortune is estimated at almost 6.6 billion dollars. Abramov began his career as the head of a research laboratory before the collapse of the Soviet Union and made his fortune exporting metals and coal from the Urals and Siberia. By 1998, the oligarch had acquired the largest steel and iron empire in Russia, employing 125,000 people and controlling a whopping 22 percent of the country's total steel production with an annual turnover of $20 billion.

Is Leonardo DiCaprio the Biggest Hollywood Hypocrite?

Leonardo DiCaprio doesn’t make headlines just for his talent; he’s also known for his penchant for younger women, his advocacy for climate change awareness, and his unabashed use o...

Superyacht Larger Than the Titanic Ready to Offer Maximum Enjoyment

When you've seen enough of this world, change your perspective, and everything will be new again...

Golden Yacht Khalilah Fails to Find Buyers Despite Huge Discount

Despite a nearly $5 million discount, the Palmer Johnson yacht has not attracted any wealthy buyers...

Follow us on instagram

Related topics.

Yachts and Boats - Luxury Toys

A New Addition to Uber’s Offerings – Luxury Yachts

After bringing disruptive changes to the taxi industry, Uber is ready to shake up another sector...

Italy Pays for the Maintenance of Seized Superyachts of Russian Oligarchs

While Italy enthusiastically seized seven luxurious superyachts from wealthy Russian oligarchs, its taxpayers are left footing the $35 million bill for maintaining these floating p...

Baglietto T52: A Hybrid Yacht for a New Era

Introduced at Milan Design Week, the new motor yacht Baglietto T52 combines contemporary design with ecological awareness, setting new standards in the luxury yacht industry...

Triton introduces the most luxurious submarine for billionaires

Reminiscent of a UFO, this $6.3 million submarine created by Triton is the ultimate toy for billionaires and their mega-yachts...

Ukraine Auctions Seized Russian Yacht Royal Romance

The winning bid for the vessel valued at $217 million will be announced next month, with the proceeds being used for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Unica by ISA Yachts: The Embodiment of Contemporary Trends

The Italian shipyard ISA Yachts has launched UNICA – a fully aluminum super yacht measuring 40 meters in length.

Combining the Luxurious and the Authentic with PONANT Luxury Cruises

Regarding travel styles, there are often two distinct approaches that seem to be at opposite ends: luxury travel and authentic travel.

Tankoa Yachts Unveils the Magnificent Milano Yacht

Tankoa Yachts introduces the magnificent Milano yacht, a 70-meter vessel that proves elegance and innovation can go hand in hand.

Kenshō: Between Sky and Sea

The luxurious Kenshō project, signed by the Jouin Manku studio, presents a revolutionary approach to yacht design...

USA is Paying $600,000 Monthly for Maintenance of Seized Russian Superyacht

Government seeks to sell $325 million yacht to end "Excessive Costs" of maintenance.

Kokomo Ailand: A Private Floating Island for Future Centibillionaires

Why should future centibillionaires buy megayachts when they can have their very own floating and maneuverable private island?

Luxury Toys - Yachts and Boats

Migaloo M5: Luxury Yacht-Submarine Worth $2 Billion

Imagine a yacht so luxurious and technologically advanced that it resembles more of a floating castle than a mere vessel...

Subscribe for our newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. If you continue to search this site, you agree to the use of web cookies. See our Cookie Policy for more information.

Please use a modern browser to view this website. Some elements might not work as expected when using Internet Explorer.

• Landing Page
• Luxury Yacht Vacation Types
• Corporate Yacht Charter
• Tailor Made Vacations
• Luxury Exploration Vacations
• View All 3699
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yachts
• Classic Yachts
• Catamaran Yachts
• Filter By Destination
• More Filters
• Latest Reviews
• Charter Special Offers
• Destination Guides
• Inspiration & Features
• Mediterranean Charter Yachts
• France Charter Yachts
• Italy Charter Yachts
• Croatia Charter Yachts
• Greece Charter Yachts
• Turkey Charter Yachts
• Bahamas Charter Yachts
• Caribbean Charter Yachts
• Australia Charter Yachts
• Thailand Charter Yachts
• Dubai Charter Yachts
• Destination News
• New To Fleet
• Charter Fleet Updates
• Special Offers
• Industry News
• Yacht Shows
• Corporate Charter
• Finding a Yacht Broker
• Charter Preferences
• Questions & Answers
• Add my yacht

TITAN Interior & Exterior Photos

26.21m  /  86'   azimut   2005 / 2022.

• Previous Yacht
• Amenities & Toys
• Rates & Regions
• + Shortlist

Charter Titan

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker or

SIMILAR YACHTS FOR CHARTER

27m | Ferretti Yachts

POA ♦︎

26m | Fipa - Maiora

from $32,000 p/week ♦︎

25m | Cheoy Lee

from $34,500 p/week

24m | Spertini Alalunga

Forever Rosanna

24m | Azimut

from $25,000 p/week ♦︎

26m | Falcon

from $27,000 p/week ♦︎

Lady Yousra

26m | Sunseeker

from $42,000 p/week ♦︎

24m | Ferretti Yachts

from $30,000 p/week ♦︎

24m | Benetti Sail Division

26m | Ferretti Yachts

27m | Maiora

from $63,000 p/week ♦︎

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

SIMILAR LUXURY CHARTER YACHTS

Here are a selection of yachts which are similar to the current charter yacht. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.

As Featured In

The YachtCharterFleet Difference

YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website.

San Francisco

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Find us on LinkedIn
• Add My Yacht
• Affiliates & Partners

Popular Destinations & Events

• St Tropez Yacht Charter
• Monaco Yacht Charter
• St Barts Yacht Charter
• Greece Yacht Charter
• Mykonos Yacht Charter
• Caribbean Yacht Charter

Featured Charter Yachts

• Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter
• Wheels Yacht Charter
• Victorious Yacht Charter
• Andrea Yacht Charter
• Titania Yacht Charter
• Ahpo Yacht Charter

Receive our latest offers, trends and stories direct to your inbox.

Please enter a valid e-mail.

Thanks for subscribing.

Search for Yachts, Destinations, Events, News... everything related to Luxury Yachts for Charter.

Yachts in your shortlist

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Update: family of victim killed in Titan submersible disaster sues OceanGate for $50M

The family of French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, one of the passengers who died in the fatal Titan disaster, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking more than $50,000,000 against American tourism and expeditions company OceanGate.

Accusing the submarine operator of gross negligence, the lawsuit claims the waiver and release "failed to disclose many key, relevant risk factors, [...] regarding the design and operation of Titan or the materials used in its construction." In particular, it mentioned the submarine's carbon fibre hull, which was reportedly "not properly tested for integrity". 

The complaint goes on to suggest the distressing conditions the passengers on board may have experienced in their final moments: "The crew may well have heard the carbon fibre’s crackling noise grow more intense as the weight of the water pressed on Titan’s hull. The crew lost communications and perhaps power as well. By experts’ reckoning, they would have continued to descend, in full knowledge of the vessel’s irreversible failures, experiencing terror and mental anguish prior to the Titan ultimately imploding."

OceanGate has so far declined to comment on the lawsuit, which was filed last week in King County, Washington.

What happened during the Titan submersible disaster?

On 18 June 2023, the 6.7-metre submersible Titan imploded during a descent to the Titanic wreck at 3,800 metres below sea level. Operated by OceanGate, Titan had five passengers on board who subsequently all died from the sub's violent inwards collapse.

Pakistani investor Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British businessman Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush were the victims aboard the deep-water vessel when the incident occurred. 

Titan was expected to take around two and a half hours to reach the wreckage but soon lost contact with its mothership, Polar Prince, kickstarting a search operation for the missing submarine. The news grabbed the attention of media outlets across the globe and updates trickled out across the week, rocking the yachting and submersible industry.

The US Coast Guard convened a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) into the loss of the Titan submersible and the investigation is ongoing. While many theories and studies have circulated as to the cause of the Titan submarine tragedy – including microscopic imperfections in the carbon fibre hull – no conclusion has been reached as of yet. 

Earlier this year (2024), a purported transcript of communications between the sub and mothership that went viral last year was declared to be fake. “I’m confident it’s a false transcript,” said the chairman of the MBI, Captain Jason D. Neubauer. “It was made up.”

Titan disaster timeline:

Sunday 18 june 2023.

08:00: The Titan submersible was launched from its mothership, Polar Prince (previously CCGS Sir Humphrey Gilbert). 09:45: Contact between the mothership and the submersible was lost. The U.S. Navy also noticed “an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion”. 15:00: Titan was scheduled to resurface but did not. 17:40: The U.S. Coast Guard was notified.

Monday 19 June

The search for Titan began.

Tuesday 20 June

Speculation began surrounding sonar detecting “banging” noises in the search area. These are later determined to be natural ocean sounds.

Thursday 22 June

Debris and remains of the sub were found around 500 metres from the bow of the Titanic. Citing this, the Coast Guard announced that the submersible had suffered a “catastrophic implosion.”

Sunday 25 June

The Coast Guard arranged a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) to determine what happened to the Titan.

Wednesday 28 June 

Wreckage of the Titan was brought to St. John's, a city on Newfoundland island off Canada's Atlantic coast.

Sunday July 2

OceanGate announced it is ceasing operations.

Has there been an inquiry?

An investigation into the incident was launched by the US Coast Guard in June last year, which convened a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) into the loss of the Titan submersible. The MBI examined "whether there is need for new laws or regulations, or amendment or repeal of existing laws or regulations, to prevent the recurrence of the casualty". 

The Coast Guard received debris and evidence recovered from the seafloor at the site of the Titan submersible (28 June 2023). Later in the year, marine safety engineers with the MBI launched a follow-up salvage mission which recovered additional presumed human remains that were carefully recovered from within Titan’s debris. The evidence was transported for analysis by US medical professionals (4 October 2023). 

A couple of months on, the US Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) and the French Marine Casualty Investigation Authority (BEAmer) conducted an evidence review of recovered Titan submersible debris in Newport, Rhode Island (8 November 2023).

Jason Neubauer, Coast Guard chair for the Titan Marine Board of Investigation (MBI), said:  "This effort underscores the importance of international and interagency coordination in marine casualty investigations. Our partnerships with NTSB, TSB and the French Marine Casualty Investigation Authority enabled a thorough examination of the international incident, promoting safety and transparency."

A public hearing that will address the tragedy is scheduled to take place in September 2024. Until then, the MBI will continue its evidence analysis and witness interviews as part of the ongoing investigation.

Did Titan have warnings from experts?

Speaking on a special episode of the Big BOAT Interview alongside Rob McCallum, co-founder of EYOS Expeditions , Triton Submarines' co-founder Patrick Lahey shared his first public comments on the Titan submarine disaster. He said the disaster was an "experimental monstrosity that should never have carried people".

Lahey recalls pleading with his long-time friend and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who was killed in the incident, not to dive with OceanGate. "I tried to do everything I could to discourage him from going out there. I know many people that knew him did the same thing."

McCallum also discusses his now well-publicised email exchange with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who also died on the dive, warning him that he was courting disaster by taking the uncertified Titan submersible to such extreme depths.

"He was completely dismissive," McCallum says. "The minute I found out it was going to be an unclassed vehicle, that's when the alarm bells rang. But perhaps the biggest red flag of all was when a senior member of the OceanGate team wrote a report laying out the 26 or 27 things wrong with the sub and suggested solutions to those problems and he was silenced." 

McCallum also relates the final time he met Rush, at a dinner, when, "I told him in no uncertain terms that he was doing the wrong thing".

Lahey also met Rush, and toured the OceanGate submersible while it was being tested in the Bahamas. "There were glaring defects. I made this list of things for them to address. But when I looked at it, I thought I didn't have to worry too much as there was no way it was ever going to see the light of day."

Both Lahey and McCallum underline the point that to prevent similar incidents, all submersibles should be subject to third-party certification.

"It's essential," says Lahey. "If people insist on [accreditation] you can be assured that the craft that you're getting in has been reviewed independently by a group of professionals and according to a set of rules, it will be safe. If you look at the track record of certified craft, it is without peer – 50-plus years of absolute safety."

You can listen to the full interview with Lahey and McCallum on the BOAT Briefing podcast . A new episode is released every week, and you can listen via Apple Podcasts and Spotify . Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of the superyacht industry's biggest podcast.

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More stories

Most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.

• Israel-Hamas War
• Science & Tech
• Ents & Arts
• Data & Forensics

Superyacht sinking: Friend of tycoon Mike Lynch 'hoping for a miracle' - as divers try to reach cabins of Bayesian

Experts have said there is a possibility that the six missing people may be trapped in an air pocket - but divers have not yet reached the cabins of the yacht..

By Niamh Lynch, News reporter @niamhielynch

Wednesday 21 August 2024 10:41, UK

A close friend of missing British tycoon Mike Lynch has told Sky News he is hoping for "a miracle".

Mr Lynch and five others remain missing after the superyacht they were on capsized and sank in a tornado off the coast of Sicily. Rescuers fear they are trapped inside the wreck.

The body of the yacht's chef has been recovered.

Divers have been able to reach the communal areas of the boat, but not the cabins, Italian media reported on Tuesday night.

David Tabizel, who established software company Autonomy with Mr Lynch - the sale of which became the subject of the US fraud case - said: "I'm just heartbroken for him and his family and I hope there's a miracle about to occur."

"If anyone has the resilience to survive this - he does. And I hope he's found an air pocket," he said.

Read more: What we know about the superyacht disaster Who was on board the Bayesian? Lynch's co-defendant dies days before yacht disaster

"He has been one of the most influential, intelligent and most honourable human beings I have ever had the honour of knowing."

After Mr Lynch sold Autonomy to US computing giant Hewlett-Packard for $11bn (£8.6bn), he was accused of conspiracy and attempted fraud over the sale and an intense, multiyear legal battle in the US ensued.

He was acquitted of multiple fraud charges in June after more than a year under house arrest.

The rescue team attempting to find those missing from Mr Lynch's yacht, named Bayesian, were able to enter the vessel by unhinging a glass window that is 3cm thick.

An engineer who led the salvage operation for the wrecked cruise ship Costa Concordia said that rescue divers looking for survivors have entered a "critical" 24 hours.

Nick Sloane told Sky News that survivors might be trapped in air pockets inside the yacht, but that time is running out to save them if that is the case.

👉 Listen to the Sky News Daily every day at 5pm - follow here 👈

"They've got a very small window of time to try to find people stuck inside with hopefully an air pocket, and they could be rescued.

"You've got a maximum of two to three days to try to get someone out, so the next 24 hours are critical.

"If the yacht is on its side, it might have more air pockets than if it's upright. She's got quite a large keel, and that will deflect and put her on her side, I'm sure."

Another expert said that while the formation of air pockets is "highly speculative", there are records of survivors being found this way.

"A sign the rescuers may be looking for is a banging noise at regular intervals: this is common practice on submarines, and was one of the signs the search mission for the Titan submarine was looking for after it went missing last year," Dr Jean-Baptiste Souppez, senior lecturer in mechanical engineering at Aston University, said.

"But whether air pockets formed on the Bayesian is simply impossible to predict."

Divers have run into challenges in their operation, including getting to the wrecked ship and back to the surface of the water again in time.

They also need a clear path into the vessel without debris getting in the way and blocking a potential exit.

Meanwhile, CCTV footage showing the yacht moments before it sank emerged on Tuesday.

The body of the yacht's chef Recaldo Thomas was found after the yacht sank in difficult weather conditions.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter Hannah also remains missing, along with Jonathan Bloomer, the chairman of investment bank Morgan Stanley International, his wife Judy, who is a psychotherapist, US lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, a jewellery designer.

This is a limited version of the story so unfortunately this content is not available. Open the full version

Fifteen other people were rescued from the yacht, including Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares.

Eight of those rescued were transferred to local hospitals and all were in stable condition, local media reported.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• Registrieren
• Abonnent werden
• Best of BI+
• Insider (US)
• Abonnement Abo
• Menü öffnen / schliessen

Mike Lynch: Erst Freispruch, dann das tödliche Unglück mit der Superyacht

Mike lynch hatte gerade einen milliardenschweren rechtsstreit gewonnen – nun ertranken er und sein top-anwalt beim feiern auf einer superyacht.

Link kopiert!

Mike Lynch wurde nach einem dramatischen, 12 Jahre dauernden Rechtsstreit von den Geschworenen unerwartet freigesprochen.

Der IT-Konzern HP hatte ihn beschuldigt, die Bücher seines Unternehmens Autonomy gefälscht zu haben, um den Wert des Unternehmens um Milliarden zu steigern.

Er gewann schließlich – dann starben er, sein Anwalt und sein Mitangeklagter innerhalb weniger Tage.

Im Jahr 2011 war Mike Lynch der Star der Tech-Welt. Lynch, der als der britische Bill Gates gefeiert wurde, verkaufte Autonomy, sein bahnbrechendes Datenmanagement-Unternehmen, für 11 Milliarden US-Dollar (damals rund 8,1 Milliarden Euro) an den IT-Riesen Hewlett-Packard (HP).

Aktionäre und Wirtschaftskommentatoren fragten sich, was HP, ein Hardware-Unternehmen, mit Autonomy, einem Software-Unternehmen, machen würde – und warum es 11 Milliarden Dollar wert war. Die HP-Führungskräfte sagten damals, dass Autonomy das Potenzial habe, HP zu transformieren und den Silicon Valley-Titan in ein neues Zeitalter zu führen.

Nichts davon ist eingetreten. Ein Jahr nach der Übernahme schrieb HP 8,8 Milliarden Dollar des Kaufpreises ab und beschuldigte Lynch, über die Finanzen von Autonomy gelogen zu haben. Diese Behauptung führte zu einer Reihe von Rechtsstreitigkeiten, die sich über zehn Jahre hinzogen.

Eine weitere Führungskraft von Autonomy, Sushovan Hussain, wurde 2018 wegen Betrugs zu fünf Jahren Gefängnis verurteilt. Bundesstaatsanwälte in den USA erhoben Anklage gegen Lynch und Stephen Chamberlain, den ehemaligen Vizepräsidenten für Finanzen.

Lynchs gerichtliche Auseinandersetzungen endeten mit einem dreimonatigen Strafprozess in San Francisco. Nach nur zwei Verhandlungstagen befanden die Geschworenen Lynch und Chamberlain in allen Anklagepunkten für nicht schuldig.

„Die Wahrheit hat endlich gesiegt“, sagte sein Anwalt Charles Morvillo.

Nur wenige Monate nach diesem Triumph vor Gericht sind Lynch, Chamberlain und auch Morvillo tot.

Eine Übernahme, die von Anfang an zum Scheitern verurteilt war

Lynch, der im Rahmen seiner Promotion an der Universität Cambridge neuronale Netze studiert hatte, gliederte Autonomy 1996 aus einem früheren Unternehmen, Cambridge Neurodynamics, aus.

Mit Hilfe hochentwickelter Algorithmen ermöglichte Autonomy den Nutzern die Organisation und Suche in großen Mengen unstrukturierter Daten. Das Unternehmen war ein Lichtblick in der britischen Technologiebranche und wurde in den Börsenindex des Landes aufgenommen.

Nach Angaben der „New York Times“ zählten Oracle, Adobe, Cisco und HP selbst zu den Kunden von Autonomy.

Doch der Kauf von Autonomy durch HP war umstritten. Der CEO des Hardwareunternehmens, Léo Apotheker, der noch nicht einmal ein Jahr im Amt war, versuchte, die Richtung des Konzerns zu ändern. HP hatte Schwierigkeiten, Drucker und Server als Teil seines traditionellen Hardwaregeschäfts zu verkaufen. Apotheker wollte die Personal-Computing-Sparte von HP ausgliedern und das Unternehmen in das margenstärkere Softwaregeschäft führen.

Die Analysten hassten die Idee. Aktionäre verklagten HP. Der Wert von HP sank um mehr als die Hälfte. Der Aufsichtsrat entließ Apotheker innerhalb weniger Wochen nach der Entscheidung zum Kauf von Autonomy, noch bevor das Geschäft abgeschlossen war.

Seine Nachfolgerin, Meg Whitman, feuerte Lynch und schrieb den Wert von Autonomy um 8,8 Milliarden Dollar ab, was bedeutet, dass HP fast das Vierfache dessen gezahlt hat, was es hätte zahlen müssen. Der Kolumnist der „New York Times“, James B. Stewart , behauptete , dass es sich um die schlechteste Übernahme in der Wirtschaftsgeschichte handelte – noch schlimmer als der unglückliche Kauf von Time Warner durch AOL.

In einem erstaunlichen Schritt beschuldigte HP Lynch im folgenden Jahr des Betrugs. Das Unternehmen behauptete, er und Hussain, ein ehemaliger Finanzchef, hätten die Zahlen von Autonomy aufgebläht. Sowohl das FBI als auch das britische Serious Fraud Office leiteten Ermittlungen ein.

Lynch bestritt vehement die Vorwürfe eines Fehlverhaltens. Er wies darauf hin, dass Autonomy von der Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft Deloitte geprüft wurde, die zuvor keine Probleme festgestellt hatte. Lynch zufolge habe HP Autonomy mit Missmanagement und Bürokratie erdrosselt, die Mitarbeiter verdrängt und den Verkauf behindert.

Die Kultur bei HP, so Lynch, sei vergiftet gewesen.

„Es war, als würde man ein Flugzeug besteigen, feststellen, dass das Triebwerk brennt, und dann ins Cockpit rennen, um festzustellen, dass sich die Piloten streiten“, sagte er damals gegenüber „The Telegraph“ .

Nach Angaben der „New York Times“ wurde in der Aktionärsklage gegen HP der von KPMG erstellte Due-Diligence-Bericht des Unternehmens veröffentlicht. Darin wurde offenbar festgestellt, dass die Finanztransparenz von Autonomy deutliche Warnzeichen aufwies , aber Apotheker setzte die Übernahme trotzdem fort, weil er der Meinung war, dass das Potenzial von Autonomy es wert war.

Ein juristischer Morast

Die britische Betrugsbekämpfungsbehörde Serious Fraud Office gab im Januar 2015 bekannt , dass sie ihre Ermittlungen gegen Autonomy einstelle, da sie keine ausreichenden Beweise für rechtliche Schritte fand, obwohl sie einige Fragen an das US-Justizministerium verwies.

In den folgenden Monaten verklagten sich HP und Lynch in Großbritannien gegenseitig. Während sich diese Fälle ihren Weg durch das britische Gerichtssystem bahnten, untersuchten die US-Staatsanwälte weiterhin den Kauf von Autonomy durch HP.

Im Jahr 2016 erhoben sie Anklage wegen Betrugs gegen Sushovan Hussain, der 2018 in einem Schwurgerichtsverfahren für schuldig befunden wurde. Die britischen Aufsichtsbehörden haben ihn Anfang dieses Jahres formell aus der Finanzbranche verbannt , nachdem er eine fünfjährige Haftstrafe in den USA verbüßt hatte.

HP hat sich ganz von Autonomy getrennt und 2016 sowie 2017 Teile des Unternehmens verkauft.

Im November 2018 gingen die Staatsanwälte des Justizministeriums direkt gegen Lynch und Chamberlain vor, der als Vice President of Finance von Autonomy tätig war.

Laut Anklageschrift sollen Lynch und Chamberlain Finanzdokumente gefälscht, Wirtschaftsprüfer und Aufsichtsbehörden belogen sowie die Stimmen von Personen unterdrückt haben, die die Finanzpraktiken von Autonomy kritisierten.

Lynch sah sich nicht länger mit zivilrechtlichen Auseinandersetzungen um Geld konfrontiert. Ihm drohte eine Gefängnisstrafe von bis zu 20 Jahren.

Jahrelang wehrte sich Lynch gegen seine Auslieferung an die USA. Als einflussreicher Vertreter der britischen Politik – er hatte David Cameron beraten und saß im Vorstand der BBC und des British Museum – vertraten er und seine Anwälte die Ansicht, dass seine rechtlichen Probleme im Vereinigten Königreich und nicht in den USA ausgetragen werden sollten. Die amerikanischen Strafgesetze seien ungerechtfertigt auf ihn angewandt worden, so seine Anwälte.

Die Klage von HP gegen Lynch – die im Hintergrund weiter lief – wurde schließlich 2019 vor Gericht verhandelt. Apotheker sagte aus, dass er die Übernahme von Autonomy abgebrochen hätte, wenn er einen besseren Überblick über die Finanzen gehabt hätte.

Lynch brachte das Argument vor, dass der ganze Schlamassel von Whitman, Apothekers Nachfolgerin, inszeniert worden sei, die politische Ambitionen hegte (sie kandidierte als Gouverneurin in Kalifornien und ist derzeit US-Botschafterin in Kenia) und die Schuld für Autonomys Versagen auf jemand anderen habe abwälzen wollen.

Robert Hildyard, der Richter, der den Fall verhandelte, urteilte größtenteils zugunsten von HP. In einer Entscheidung aus dem Jahr 2022, die mehr als 1.700 Seiten umfasste, schrieb er, dass HP aufgrund der Täuschung durch Lynch und Hussein zu viel für Autonomy bezahlt habe. Hildyard hatte noch nicht entschieden, wie hoch der Schadenersatz sein würde, aber er schrieb, dass er deutlich unter den von HP geforderten fünf Milliarden Dollar liegen werde.

Wenn er nicht gerade Rechtsstreitigkeiten ausfocht, war Lynch weiterhin als Unternehmer tätig. Er gründete eine Risikokapitalfirma, Invoke Capital, investierte in die Cybersicherheitsfirma Darktrace, die laut „Politico“ (gehört wie Business Insider zu Axel Springer) enge Verbindungen zu den britischen Geheimdiensten unterhält, und half bei deren Leitung.

Aus den Finanzberichten, die Lynch im vergangenen Jahr im Rahmen seines Strafverfahrens einreichte, geht hervor, dass sich sein Vermögen auf etwa 450 Millionen Dollar belief.

Der Strafprozess

Das Vereinigte Königreich lieferte Lynch schließlich im Mai 2023 an die USA aus , wo er sich – neben Chamberlain als Mitangeklagtem – unter Hausarrest in San Francisco auf seinen Prozess vorbereitete.

Lynch verfügte über ein hochkarätiges Anwaltsteam, doch nach der Niederlage vor dem britischen Gericht und der Verurteilung von Hussain schienen die Chancen auf einen Freispruch gering zu sein.

Lynch sagte am Ende seines dreimonatigen Prozesses, der im März begann, vor den Geschworenen aus, dass er nicht an der täglichen Finanzaufsicht über das Unternehmen beteiligt gewesen sei. Missverständnisse, sagte er, könnten auf die Unterschiede zwischen britischen und amerikanischen Buchhaltungspraktiken zurückgeführt werden.

„Vieles von dem, was wir uns angesehen haben, ist so, als ob man durch die Tür einer Küche schaut und die Wurstmaschine sieht, und so funktioniert es wirklich“, sagte er den Geschworenen laut der Londoner „Times“ . „Wenn man mit dem Mikroskop in eine noch so makellose Küche schaut, findet man Bakterien. Wenn sie nicht da wären, wäre das etwas sehr Abnormales. Ich glaube nicht, dass es bei Autonomy anders war.“

Die Geschworenen glaubten ihm. Im Juni erklärten sie Lynch in Bezug auf die 15 gegen ihn erhobenen Anklagen für nicht schuldig und sprachen auch Chamberlain frei.

Charles Morvillo, einer von Lynchs Anwälten in diesem Prozess – wie auch in den vorangegangenen zehn Jahren juristischer Auseinandersetzungen –, lobte, dass die Geschworenen „die tiefgreifende Übertreibung der Regierung in diesem Fall zurückgewiesen“ hätten.

„Dieses Urteil schließt das Buch über einen unerbittlichen 13-jährigen Versuch, Dr. Lynch die gut dokumentierte Unfähigkeit von HP anzuhängen“, sagte Morvillo in einer gemeinsamen Erklärung mit seinem Anwaltskollegen Brian Heberlig. „Glücklicherweise hat sich die Wahrheit endlich durchgesetzt.“

In einem Interview mit der „Times“ nach dem Prozess dachte Lynch darüber nach, wie er im Alter von 59 Jahren, nachdem ihm eine große Last abgenommen worden war, sein Leben neu gestalten könnte.

Er betrauerte den Tod seines Bruders und seiner Mutter, die beide vor dem Strafprozess verstorben waren. Er dachte darüber nach, sein Vermögen zu nutzen, um eine britische Version des Innocence Project zu gründen, das in den USA ungerechtfertigte Verurteilungen verhindert.

„Jetzt hast du ein zweites Leben“, sagte er der Times. „Die Frage ist, was man damit machen will.“

Doch zunächst eine Feier. Lynch, seine Frau Angela Bacares, eine seiner beiden Töchter, sein Anwalt Morvillo und dessen Frau Neda Morvillo sowie einige andere gingen auf eine Superyacht, die „Bayesian“, die vor Sizilien vor Anker lag und Bacares gehört.

Chamberlain kehrte in das Vereinigte Königreich zurück. Als er in der Nähe seines Hauses joggen ging, wurde er von einem Autofahrer angefahren. Er starb am vergangenen Samstag in einem Krankenhaus.

Am 19. August wurde die „Bayesian“ von einem plötzlichen Sturm heimgesucht. Die Yacht kenterte.

Von den 22 Passagieren konnten 15, darunter Bacares, gerettet werden.

Aber die Retter haben fünf Leichen aus dem Wrack geborgen, darunter die von Morvillo und Lynch. Ein sechster Passagier ist noch im Boot eingeschlossen. Lynchs Tochter Hannah wird weiterhin vermisst.

Externer Inhalt nicht verfügbar

Sie haben ein contentpass-Abo, wollen aber trotzdem nicht auf die Anzeige externer Inhalte von Drittanbietern verzichten? Dann klicken Sie auf "zustimmen" und wir binden externe Inhalte und Dienste von ausgewählten Drittanbietern in unser Angebot ein, um Ihr Nutzungserlebnis zu verbessern. Eine aktuelle Liste ebendieser Drittanbieter können Sie jederzeit in der Privatsphäre (Link zu Privatsphäre) einsehen. In diesem Zusammenhang können auch Nutzungsprofile (u.a. aus Basis von Cookie-IDs) gebildet und angereichert, auch außerhalb des EWR. Ihre Einwilligung umfasst in diesem Fall auch die Übermittlung bestimmter personenbezogener Daten in Drittländer, u.a. die USA nach Art 49 Abs. 1 Buchst. a) DSGVO. Weitere Details zur Datenverarbeitung finden Sie in unseren Datenschutzhinweisen sowie in der Privatsphäre, jeweils jederzeit im Footer unseres Angebotes verfügbar. Ihre Einwilligung in die Einbindung externer Inhalte können Sie jederzeit im Footer unseres Angebotes über den Link "Widerruf Tracking" ausüben.

Verwandte Artikel

• Jeff Bezos‘ teure Hobbys: Von der Super-Yacht bis zum neuesten Privat-Jet
• Minen-Milliardär verbot erst Home Office – jetzt sollen seine Mitarbeiter auch keinen Kaffee mehr holen gehen
• Diese Serien binged Amazon-Milliardär Jeff Bezos in seiner Freizeit
• Superyacht-Tragödie um Tech-Milliardär Mike Lynch sei menschliches Versagen, so der Chef des Bootsbauers
• Dieser Mann war für 3 Wochen der reichste Mann Chinas – ihr kennt bestimmt sein Unternehmen

Mehr zum Thema

Empfehlungen, aktuelle news.

• Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Änderung des Außenwirtschaftsgesetzes
• Ein neuer Bericht gibt seltene Einblicke in das elende Leben auf Chinas „Drachenpalast“-U-Booten
• Morgen sind Landtagswahlen in Sachsen und Thüringen: So sehen die letzten Umfragen vor den Wahlen aus
• „Dann verbringt er den Rest seines Lebens im Gefängnis“: Wie Trump in einem neuen Buch Mark Zuckerberg droht
• Der Tefal Optigrill ist bei Lidl gerade im Angebot – so spart ihr rund 160 Euro

Business | Revamped Pier Sixty-Six Resort now taking…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

Daily e-Edition

Evening e-Edition

• Real Estate
• Consumer Reviews

Business | Revamped Pier Sixty-Six Resort now taking bookings for new levels of luxury

New year’s presidential suite going for just under $10k a night.

As 2024 draws to a close, Tavistock Development Company of Orlando, owner-developer of the historic Pier Sixty-Six resort in Fort Lauderdale, is on the cusp of reopening its landmark property after a dramatic $1 billion redevelopment project that started in 2020.

The 32-acre destination, located at 2301 SE 17th St., on the east end of the high-arching 17th Street Causeway bridge, will boast a revamped version of its iconic 17-story tower with Pier Top Lounge, a 10-story hotel addition, two condominium projects called Azul and Indigo, residential resort units, as well as 30,000 square feet of commercial office and retail space. Condo prices start at $3.85 million.

A Tavistock spokeswoman has confirmed the resort is now booking hotel rooms for occupancy starting on Jan. 1, 2025. But the room price list is eye-popping, analysts say, suitable for a business model designed to chase big-spending travelers who are willing to pay hundreds of dollars per night for premium service

“Grand opening” rates start at $854 a night, according to a spokeswoman. By the time mid-January rolls around, the lowest rates will dip to around $630.

And then there’s the newly added 3,000-square-foot presidential suite on the 15th floor of the iconic tower building. Guests who reserve the suite will start the New Year at a discounted $9,855 a night. The suite, with a wrap-around balcony on the original tower’s 15th floor, has two bedrooms, two baths, a media room, private workout space, and a dining area for eight. The suite normally goes for more than $10,000 a night, according to the hotel’s online price listings.

“They’re coming in hard and strong,” said Peter Ricci, director of the hospitality and tourism management program at Florida Atlantic University. “The industry people all wonder how they’re going to pull it off.”

Ricci equates the remake with the aspirations of The Boca Raton (formerly known as The Boca Raton Hotel & Resort), which reinvented itself in a similar manner under the ownership of technology titan Michael Dell.

“I hope Pier Sixty-Six is in that sweet spot between Miami and Boca where they can accommodate those rates,” Ricci said. “They’re going after that super-high-end traveler. The hotel is 350 plus rooms. It’s doable. But the Presidential Suite suite at $10,000 night is high.”

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood can pull off $800- to $1,000-a-night rates, he added, but largely because of its casino clientele.

Prices aside, signs of the property’s old allure in the community appears to be taking hold, according to management.

“We are seeing so much excitement from the local communities,” said Jessi Blakley, Tavistock’s vice president of marketing and communications. She affirmed that would-be vacationers and other short-term visitors are not the only ones booking rooms. Organizations are signing up to stage events within the resort’s 40,000 square feet of ballrooms and other meeting spaces well into 2027.

The resort’s famous revolving Pier Top lounge is coming back. The preservation of the tower itself was actually a demand put forth by some city officials.

A decades-old destination

Founded in 1957 as a fueling dock and gas station for Phillips 66 Petroleum, the resort is being redeveloped as a luxury destination that bears little resemblance to what vacationers in the immediate post World War II period experienced through multiple decades. Two years later, a marina with 100 berths was added as well as a motel called, “Waterway Wonderland.”

The 17-story hotel tower with its rotating Pier Top lounge was added in 1965. It sported 66 spires; the lounge rotated every 66 minutes.

The revamped Pier Sixty-Six will open with 325 rooms and suites, a 13,000-square-foot fitness and spa, and 12 culinary venues including restaurants along the waterfront promenade. The tower’s 17th-floor observation deck is back offering 360-degree views of Fort Lauderdale and the Atlantic Ocean.

The marina, which remained open during the construction project, will again be a host to “superyachts” during the forthcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October. The marina contains 164 deep water slips for yachts up to 400 feet, 5,000 linear feet of dockage. It is a launch point for fishing charters, diving excursions and kayaking.

Upping the game

All of this speaks to an evolving luxury tourism renaissance for the section of the city bordered by Port Everglades, which is adjacent to the Broward County convention center expansion project on the west bank of the Intracoastal and on the southern edge of the causeway.

There, an 800-room Omni Hotel is on the rise with aspirations for a 2025 opening. A major international travel convention is booked there for 2026.

“With the reopening of Pier Sixty-Six Resort and the grand opening of the Omni Hotel, Greater Fort Lauderdale is entering an exciting new chapter,” Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, the county’s tourism promotion agency, told  the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

“These premier properties not only elevate our luxury accommodations but also significantly enhance our ability to attract and host world-class conferences and events,” she said. “This investment in our hospitality landscape is a testament to Greater Fort Lauderdale’s growing reputation as a top-tier destination for both leisure and business travelers, further boosting our convention and conference business and driving economic growth throughout the region.”

Besides Pier Sixty-Six and the Omni, the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina on the Intracoastal has undergone a major remake, while the waterfront Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa is engaged in a renovation project scheduled to be completed before the end of this year.

Fort Lauderdale Vice Mayor Steve Glassman said Friday he likes what is unfolding at Pier Sixty-Six.

“I think this is a whole new level for Fort Lauderdale,” he said in an interview. “I’ve been there, I’ve seen it. It’s really taking us to that next level.”

Glassman was an advocate for the property receiving a designation as an historic site, which was declared earlier this year.

“It’s a beautiful site,” he said. “I’m not surprised bookings are into 2027. People want to be here. people want to come to Fort Lauderdale.”

The road to progress, though, has been uneven. The project was delayed shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out; more recently, fire alarm testing among the buildings caused a racket that rattled neighbors in nearby multimillion dollar residences. The developer refined the hours of testing.

South Side again a boat show venue

It remains unclear what will be in store for the land Tavistock owns on the south side of the 17th Street causeway, site of the old Sails Marina. It has served previously as a construction staging area for the redevelopment project and as a host site for boat show superyachts.

In 2021, Tavistock retained the global architectural firm Arquitectonica to design three 480-foot residential towers for a future phase of the redevelopment project. Two were to be placed on the causeway’s south side while another would rise on the north side. But the idea was dropped as impractical given height restrictions related to the nearby airport.

Top of the line service

At  the moment, Tavistock is focusing on ramping up the operations of the initial redevelopment phase. The resort is loaded with amenities, including a la carte concierge services, “priority restaurant reservations and marina arrangements, as well as in-residence services including catering, entertaining, and housekeeping,” according to a brochure.

A sampling of its extensive list of offerings: a Club Room for entertaining and socializing, three pools with lounges and dining, an exclusive VIP pool with private cabanas and chaise lounge service, and a “rejuvenating spa.”

An adult pool contains “a refreshing water oasis with an outdoor dining pavilion overlooking the marina.” A resort pool contains a three-story slide and splash fountain, “plus a dedicated café, bar, and kids club.”

The options go on and on. But the key to success is to maintain a high level of services that luxury travelers and upper-income residents come to expect for the money they’ll pay, Ricci said.

To do that, Tavistock has retained a respected, top-of-the-line management firm called CoralTree, which is based in Colorado.

“They’re trying to do it by the combination of service and a unique project,” Ricci said. “I’m super positive, but I do think it is going to be a tremendous challenge.”

Timeline to redevelopment

• 2016 : Tavistock Development Co. acquires the 32-acre property.
• 2017: Hurricane Irma damages the property, including rooms in the tower building.
• 2018: Fort Lauderdale commissioners approve 15-year development agreement with Tavistock.
• 2019 : Company lays off 213 workers in preparation for the project. Pier South property (formerly Sails Marina) transformed into Superyacht Village for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
• 2020 : Ground is broken for redevelopment project. As work crews move in, the longtime Grille 66 and Bar steakhouse closes.
• 2021: Project delayed largely due to COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2024: Reopening set before year’s end as future visitors book rooms for 2025 and organizations schedule dates for conferences and other events.

More in Business

Business | Six insurers, including new company, approved to take out more than 195,000 Citizens policies

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Business | us workforce is seen expanding just 0.4% a year in coming decade.

Florida News | Miami has one of the last two Kmart stores left in the country — and it’s different

Business | Beyond ‘Wall Street South’: Will Vanderbilt University deliver the next big thing to Palm Beach County?