A salvage operation is underway to remove the 49-metre Aegean Yacht 007 from her current resting place in the waters of Kythnos, in the Cyclades island chain in Greece. The yacht was hoisted into an upright position in the early hours of March 21, and a post by the mayor of Kythnos, Mr Stamatios Garderis, said "it's a matter of hours to remove 007". The salvage operation began on March 6.
Prior to the removal, the semi-submerged superyacht had been in the same spot since she ran aground and listed in the late hours of September 2 2022. It is understood that the incident occurred when the yacht struck an underwater obstacle as a result of a failure in the navigation system and began to take on water. Allegedly, she was then deliberately grounded to avoid sinking in deep water.
The local Coast Guard confirmed she was resting on shallow rocks around 15 metres from the shoreline.
Authorities were quick to contain any potential pollution or debris within a floating sea wall but the extent of the damage to the local area is not yet known. At the time of the incident, five passengers were safely rescued from the yacht.
007 was delivered in 2006 by Bodrum-based shipyard Aegean Yacht as a 32 metre yacht. She has been extended twice since delivery, bringing her total LOA up to 49 metres.
The fate of the superyacht is still not known.