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Octopus is a 126.20m (414.04ft) motor yacht, custom built in 2003 and last refitted in 2008.

One of the largest and most spectacular examples of a full-fledged yachting and exploration vessel, 126-meter Octopus is equipped with highly sophisticated technology.

Espen Øino International designed the striking exterior with a blue and white hull and superstructure, featuring two helipads and a hangar aft.

The superyacht is capable of exploration and scientific research voyages requiring months at sea. One of her key features is an integrated dock for both the principal 20-meter guest tender and two submarines for exploring marine life, one of which is remotely controlled for reaching greater depths.

Octopus also houses a professional music studio and a grandiose cinema, created by interior designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

With a permanent berth in the International Yacht Club Marina in Antibes, this giant is owned by Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen. With a full-time crew of 60 including former Navy Seals, maintenance and salaries on the ship cost a rumoured $200 million. Octopus is well-known for hosting famous faces onboard its well-equipped decks, serviced only by world leaders in their fields.

• Yacht Builder Lurssen Yachts View profile
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• Exterior Designer Espen Oeino View profile
• Interior Designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett No profile available

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OCTOPUS Yacht for Charter

2006 / 2021

Overview | Exterior | Interior | Accommodation | Photos | Layout | Price

OCTOPUS Yacht Price

Charter rates, summer: east & west med.

From: 2,200,000€ p/week

Winter: N/A

Enquire about octopus.

Contact our charter brokers about chartering this yacht. 

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EXPEDITION SUPERYACHT M/Y OCTOPUS

SIMPLY ICONIC

The M/Y Octopus superyacht is a trailblazer, redefining what an expedition yacht could be.

Now available for the first time for exclusive charter, she is the perfect luxury launchpad for extraordinary adventures.

FULL SPECIFICATION

Description

The Northwest Passage, the High Arctic, Antarctica, Papua New Guinea and Challenger Deep -EYOS and the yacht Octopus have a rich history. The EYOS team is proud to have contributed expertise, logistical support, or guidance in these challenging regions during her tenure as a groundbreaking expedition yacht. Now we’re here to help intrepid explorers take Octopus in interesting new directions. Where do you dream of going? What experiences do you imagine? EYOS has the expedition credentials to bring your ‘mission’ to life.

Commissioned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, M/Y Octopus was the largest private yacht ever when it launched in 2003. Today, she remains one of the largest private yachts in the world. Her size, however, is surpassed by the scale of her ambitions. Allen himself famously described her as “less a Bentley than a Range Rover,” because of the state-of-the-art equipment on board.

Now, her 2021 refit preserves her expedition bona fides. She boasts an ice class for polar exploring; two helipads and two helicopter garages. In her garage are 7 tenders including her powerful 54’ Delta ‘tender.’ Discover a fleet of boards, from wake and surfboards, to wind and kite surfers, even electric foil flight boards, for personal forays. And with a glass-bottom observation lounge, and a fully equipped dive center, including an ROV, make the undersea part of every expedition. Her beautiful interiors and superb amenities, with accommodations for up to 12 guests, dial up the quality of life aboard. A stylish new Beach Club opens to the sea. The bridge deck features a heated freshwater swimming pool with a retractable glass floor that raises to deck level for entertaining. Adjacent is a bar, spa pool and an open-air pizza oven.

The Octopus yacht has ranged widely. And now under private charter, she will explore the four corners of the world again.

Key Features of the Octopus Yacht

• Arguably the most iconic & versatile megayacht in the world
• Flexible accommodation for 12 guests in 13 cabins
• Two helipads for remote exploration
• Entertainment deck with gym, spa, cinema, library and observation lounge
• Spectacular pool area with multiple bars and dining options
• Eight decks with dedicated owner’s deck with private elevator
• Dive centre and hyperbaric chamber
• Unbeatable toy list including seven tenders, two helipads, a large SUV, electric foils and much more

Gross Tonnage

EXPEDITION EQUIPPED

• 4 x 2 seat Yamaha FX140 Waverunners
• 1 x Stand-up Yamaha Superjet Jet-Ski
• 2 x 2 Person Hobie Pursuit Kayaks
• 1 x 1 Person Hobie Pursuit Kayak
• 1 x 1 Person Epic V5 Kayak
• 3 x Surf Boards
• 3 x Beginner to intermediate Windsurfers
• Fishing Equipment
• Kite Surfers
• Towable Toys
• Inflatable water toys
• Scuba Diving Equipment
• Snorkelling Equipment

THE VAST WILDERNESS IS WAITING, WHERE

COULD SHE TAKE YOU?

A land of vast ice landscapes, towering glaciers, and abundant wildlife, Antarctica stands as a testament to the raw power and breathtaking serenity of nature.

South Georgia and The Falklands

Nestled in the southern Atlantic, these remote islands boast an extraordinary variety of wildlife, creating a haven for diverse marine and terrestrial species. Penguin colonies, soaring albatrosses, and an abundance of unique animals define the rich biodiversity of this pristine environment.

Chilean Patagonia

A haven for nature lovers, offering immersive experiences amidst ancient forests, pristine rivers, and secluded national parks.

SIMILAR YACHTS

Hanse Explorer

CONTACT EYOS TO BEGIN PLANNING YOUR YACHT CHARTER

+1 801 390 7025 | [email protected]

Where can we guide you?

Yacht Charter

Widely regarded as one of the most iconic and versatile superyachts in the world, OCTOPUS is available for exclusive private charters and unrivaled adventures.

Charter price from

$2,200,000 PER WEEK

Specifications

Key Features

• 13 cabins, including master suite with a luxurious ensuite, observation lounge and private elevator, two VIP apartments, seven double and three twin staterooms
• Aquarium with glass-bottomed underwater observation
• Two helipads
• Bar, spa pool and pizza oven on the entertainment deck
• Wellness area including spa and gym
• Extensive range of toys including seven tenders, an ROV, her own marina, and fully kitted out dive center and hyperbaric chamber
• Heated freshwater swimming pool with a retractable glass floor
• Observation deck
• Dining and library space

About OCTOPUS

At the time of her launch in 2003, OCTOPUS was the largest explorer yacht ever built, revolutionizing the world of yacht expeditions. Previously used as base for explorers, OCTOPUS boasts an impressive history of maritime discoveries, including the long-lost wreck of Japan’s biggest battleship from the Second World War in the Philippines.

Now available for exclusive private charters for up to 12 guests across 13 palatial cabins, OCTOPUS epitomizes luxury yacht travel. At over 400 feet long, guests can delight in this relaxing haven spread across 8 decks, with opulent interiors and sleek outdoor spaces designed with the utmost care by Espen Oeino. The extensive crew of 42 will ensure a remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime stay with excellent service of the highest caliber.

OCTOPUS is truly a yacht without boundaries. Complete with two helipads and an ice-class hull perfect for reaching even the most inaccessible and remote spots, she also boasts seven tenders and her own marina with a full diving center. Guests won’t be short of entertainment onboard with a dedicated cinema and impressive freshwater swimming pool at the heart of the outdoor bar space. Relax in the spa and wellness area or admire the marine life swimming below your feet in the glass-bottomed aquarium.

Tenders & Toys

1 x 18.10m Delta 54′

1 x Custom Vikal International Limousine Tender 9.34m, 2x260hp

2 x Zodiac Milpro MK V Inflatable Heavy Duty 5.8m with Volvo Aquatic Duoprop-drives 70hp 

1 x Zodiac Milpro Custom Dive Tender 8.7m “Dive Zodiac” 

1 x Zodiac Marine Custom Guest Tender 8.7m “Owners Zodiac”

1 x Zodiac Marine RIB 4.7m

4 x Yamaha FX140 Waverunners

2 x Yamaha Superjet 2021 Stand up jet skis

2 x Hobie Pursuit 2-man kayak

2 x Hobie Pursuit 1-man kayak

2 x Epic V5 1 man kayak

3 x Surfboards

2 x Wakeboards

3 x Windsurf Beginner to Intermediate

1 x Windsurf Freeride Advance, Windsurf sails 3,7/4,7/5,7/7,3

2 x SUP Cruiser

2 x SUP Surf

Large selection of kite surfboards, harnesses and sails: 

1 x Electric Foil Flightboard Air x 1 All Riders (good for beginners)

1 x Electric Foil Flightboard Pro x 2 

Inflatable assorted water toys

Assorted fishing rods, reels, lures and accessories

Fully equipped for diving with all sizes of regulators, tanks, BCDs, wetsuits, find and additional specialized equipment (full dive inventory upon request)

Cruising Locations

Northern Europe, Svalbard, Greenland (2024)

French Polynesia (2025)

Antarctica (December - late February)

Charter Prices

From 2,200,000 USD per week

Why we love it

OCTOPUS is a truly iconic vessel and one of the most impressive motor yachts on the charter market today. Her endless array of features including her unique glass-bottomed aquarium and vast collection of water toys make her the ideal vessel for even the most remote and secluded locations.

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OCTOPUS Yacht – $285M Superyacht For Charter

Measuring in at an impressive length of 126.2 meters the OCTOPUS yacht is the 21st largest yacht in the world.

With an estimated worth of $285 million, her owner is currently unknown.

This stunning vessel can comfortably accommodate up to 26 guests while having a crew of 57 on hand to cater to their needs.

Powered by Mercedes Diesel engines she can reach speeds up to 20 knots.

OCTOPUS yacht interior

The OCTOPUS yacht inter offers space for up to 26 guests in 13 cabins, including a spacious owner’s cabin and deck.

A well-trained crew of up to 63 crew members provides 5-star service onboard this luxury vessel.

OCTOPUS’ interior has several bars distributed across the different decks, a fully equipped spa, a cinema, a gym, a library, and even a basketball court.

The interior was designed by Jonathan Quinn Barnett, a well-known superyacht designer from Seattle, Washington.

OCTOPUS Boat Specifications

With a length of 126.20 meters (414 ft) and a beam of 21 meters (68 ft), the OCTOPUS yacht weighs in at an impressive 9,900 gross tons.

She is powered by 8 MTU engines producing a total of 19,200 hp (14,300 kW).

Her maximum speed lies at 19 knots, while her relatively slow cruising speed of 12 knots allows her to have a range of 12,500 nautical miles.

OCTOPUS is also equipped with the latest anchor and steering technology, which helps to maneuver the vessel.

OCTOPUS yacht has two helipads, one at the stern with its own hangar and one at the bow.

She has a total of seven tenders, one of which is 13 meters long and can almost be considered its own yacht.

The OCTOPUS superyacht also has two submarines on board, one of which is remotely controlled while the other can accommodate eight people.

The internal dock of the megayacht can be used to dry lay vessels of up to 20 meters for possible repairs. The mega yacht also has a large pool on deck as well as a jacuzzi and a spacious beach club.

The onboard elevator system ensures that guests and crew can move quickly between the eight decks.

For the entertainment of the guests, the yacht carries scuba diving equipment, jet skis, and other water toys.

OCTOPUS Price & Charter

The former owner of the OCTOPUS superyacht paid a price of US $200 million for the yacht in 2003 and she generates annual running costs between US $20 and 35 million.

As of 2022, OCTOPUS is available for charter for the first time ever since her launch. She costs approximately 2.2 Million Euro’s per week.

In 2022 in Summer she will be available in Central America and the Pacific while in Winter she will be in Antarctica.

For 2023 she will be located in the Mediterranean and the weekly rate is expected to remain the same.

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OCTOPUS | From US$ 2,200,000/wk

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

A Summary of Motor Yacht OCTOPUS

The motor yacht OCTOPUS is a superyacht of enormous proportions. This 126 m (417 ft) luxury yacht was the work of by Lurssen Yachts in 2003. The yacht is a recent converted private yacht. Superyacht OCTOPUS is a upscale yacht that can accommodate as many as 22 guests on board and has a total of 50 qualified crew. A unique aspect of this stunning motor yacht is her helicopter landing pad. The naval architect which delivered this yacht's design details on this ship is Lurssen and Espen Oeino. Jonathan Quinn Barnett Ltd / Sam Sorgiovanni in addition was the one who saw out this boat's interior styling.

Luxury motor yacht OCTOPUS is owned by Paul Allen who is the Microsoft co-founder who also owns Tatoosh. Octopus boasts two helicopters (one in front and one on the back), 7 tenders on board including a 63-foot (19 m) tender docked in the transom. The super yacht also has side hatches at the water line that form a dock for jet skis, two submarines: one operated by remote control for studying the bottom of the ocean and a pool which is located aft on one of her upper decks.

New Build & Yacht Design of Luxury Yacht OCTOPUS

The yacht's general design work came from Lurssen and Espen Oeino. The formal naval architect plans are a products of Lurssen. Motor Yacht OCTOPUS received her elegant interior designing from the interior design skills of Jonathan Quinn Barnett Ltd / Sam Sorgiovanni. Built by Lurssen Yachts this vessel was completed in the country of Germany. She was officially launched in Kiel in 2003 before being handed over to the owner. Her main hull was constructed with steel. The motor yacht superstructure component is fabricated predominantly using aluminium. With a beam of 21 metres / 68.9 feet OCTOPUS has mighty size. A reasonably deep draught of 5.85m (19.2ft) determines the amount of worldwide marinas she can enter into, contingent on their specific characteristics. She had refit maintenance and modification completed by 2008.

M/Y OCTOPUS Engineering & Speeds:

This yacht is powered with 8 large MERCEDE diesel engine(s) and can reach a swift maximum limit continuous speed at 20 knots. The engine of the ship gives 2400 horse power (or OCTOPUS kilowatts). Her total HP is 19200 HP and her total Kilowatts are 14320. OCTOPUS is propelled by twin screw propellers. This yacht’s dynamic cruising speed is 17 knots which produces a range of 8000.

Superyacht OCTOPUS Has The Following Accommodation:

Having volume for a maximum of 22 yacht guests staying on board, the OCTOPUS accommodates them luxuriously. This ship uses approx 50 able crew members to operate.

A List of the Specifications of the OCTOPUS:

Further Information On The Yacht

On October 2009 OCTOPUS visited Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in Spain. OCTOPUS also traveled the location near Provincia de Las Palmas during the month of October 2009. As she does have a helicopter platform on the superstrcuture this means further support for OCTOPUS. Her deck material is predominantly a teak deck.

OCTOPUS Disclaimer:

The luxury yacht OCTOPUS 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

"I once had a client who told me, “I will put your name on the side of my boat if it’s good, but if the boat is not good, your name will appear three times as big.” We were brought up with the sense that it is a very personal obligation for the family when we sign a contract to deliver a yacht that the client expects. I cannot go to a client and say “One of my guys made a mistake.” He would say “Is he Mr. Lürssen, or are you Mr. Lürssen?” But a successful delivery is also a great reward. I take the relationships of my clients very personally." - Peter Lürssen of Lürssen Yachts (courtesy SuperYachtTimes)

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A billionaire got Paul Allen’s 414-foot-long Octopus megayacht to the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix and paid $138,000 just to moor it near the tracks and enjoy the race from the $285 million vessel

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This Flash Prize Just Made the SCCA Foundation’s Monaco Grand Prix Megayacht Sweepstakes Even Sweeter

• August 19, 2024 14:00
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One of SCCA Foundation’s biggest sweepstakes is taking place right now. The Monaco Grand Prix Elite Megayacht 2025 Sweepstakes, which kicked off this summer and runs through Nov. 30, 2024, is for a bucket-list experience every motorsport fan would drool over, with the grand prize winner and a guest heading to the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix F1 race. But thanks to this limited-time-offer flash prize, things just got sweeter.

Before we get to the flash prize, let’s run through the basics.

The Monaco Grand Prix Elite Megayacht 2025 Sweepstakes package includes a three night/four day stay at a boutique luxury hotel in Nice Old Town during the May 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, plus superyacht hospitality access for two guests on all three days of the Grand Prix (practice, qualifying, and race days). Time on the yacht includes luxury breakfast, buffet lunch, a champagne reception, plus beer, wine, spirits, champagne, and soft drinks all day via waitress service. There’s also guest DJs, live music performances, on board TV screens, an F1 celebrity guest speaker, an F1 wristband for Monaco access, and $2,000 to apply toward additional travel expenses, such as airfare.

Note that the sweepstakes does not include grandstand tickets. Instead, you’ll be watching the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix in luxury from the deck of the superyacht Titania. Life can be rough.

Here’s the Flash Prize

SCCA Foundation sweepstakes often include limited-time flash prizes, and this one is a 3D model of the F1 Circuit de Monaco.

Measuring approximately 7” x 7” x 1.4” tall, this 3D model artwork is an accurate, to-scale art piece printed using matte white biodegradable PLA. The famous Monaco harbor is a brilliant blue gloss acrylic providing an eye-catching contrast.

Each piece of art in the print-scape collection comes with a midnight black frame crafted from acrylic for the optimum blend of lightness and durability, providing a modern look and pristine shine. Multiple hanging points on the reverse allow for a seamless wall display, while a folding strut offers that same flexibility for standing on a table, shelf, or mantlepiece. It also comes equipped with a removable spacer that offers the choice of two display depth positions.

This print-scape is a must-have piece for any Formula 1 fan.

This flash prize is available for those who purchase sweepstakes tickets from now until Labor Day

And bonus to this bonus: By using the link below, you’ll get into the flash prize drawing AND get 35% bonus sweepstakes entries.

Sweepstakes Tickets

About SCCA Foundation

A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, SCCA Foundation’s mission is to support the Sports Car Club of America® by providing inclusive opportunities for motorsports competition, safety, education, and historical preservation.

Proceeds from donations and sweepstakes support the SCCA Foundation’s participation in the Tire Rack Street Survival program (offering life-saving advanced training for teen drivers), SCCA Women on Track (empowering women in motorsports), American veterans engaging in motorsports activities through SCCA events, and more. The Foundation also preserves the history of American Motorsports through the SCCA Archives housed at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, NY.

Learn more about the SCCA Foundation by visiting its website .

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Lynch Yacht Sinking Off Sicily Proves as Baffling as It Is Tragic

As bodies were recovered, the authorities and experts wondered how a $40 million, stable and secure vessel could have sunk so quickly.

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By Emma Bubola and Michael J. de la Merced

Emma Bubola reported from Porticello, Italy, and Michael J. de la Merced from London.

Two months after being cleared in a bruising legal battle over fraud charges, the British tech mogul Mike Lynch celebrated his freedom with a cruise. He invited his family, friends and part of his legal team on board his luxury sailing yacht, a majestic 180-foot vessel named Bayesian after the mathematical theorem around which he had built his empire.

On Sunday night, after a tour of the Gulf of Naples, including Capri, and volcanic islands in the Eolian archipelago, the boat anchored half a mile off the Sicilian coast in Porticello, Italy. It chose a stretch of water favored by the Phoenicians thousands of years ago for its protection from the mistral wind and, in more recent times, by the yachts of tech billionaires. The boat was lit “like a Christmas tree,” local residents said, standing out against the full moon.

But about 4 a.m., calamity unfolded. A violent and fast storm hit the area with some of the strongest winds locals said they had ever felt. Fabio Cefalù, a fisherman, said he saw a flare pierce the darkness shortly after 4.

Minutes later, the yacht was underwater. Only dozens of cushions from the boat’s deck and a gigantic radar from its mast floated on the surface of the sea, fishermen said.

In all, 22 people were on board, 15 of whom were rescued. Six bodies — five passengers and the ship’s cook — had been recovered by Thursday afternoon, including that of Mr. Lynch, an Italian government official said, adding that the search was continuing for his daughter.

It was a tragic and mystifying turn of events for Mr. Lynch, 59, who had spent years seeking to clear his name and was finally inaugurating a new chapter in his life. Experts wondered how a $40 million yacht, so robust and stable could have been sunk by a storm near a port within minutes.

“It drives me insane,” said Giovanni Costantino, the chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, which in 2022 bought the company, Perini, that made the Bayesian. “Following all the proper procedures, that boat is unsinkable.”

The aura of misfortune only deepened when it emerged that Stephen Chamberlain, 52, a former vice president of finance for Mr. Lynch’s former company and a co-defendant in the fraud case, was killed two days earlier, when he was hit by a car while jogging near his house in England.

Since June, the two men had been in a jubilant mood. A jury in San Francisco had acquitted both on fraud charges that could have sent them to prison for two decades. There were hugs and tears, and they and their legal teams went for a celebratory dinner party at a restaurant in the city, said Gary S. Lincenberg, a lawyer for Mr. Chamberlain.

The sea excursion was meant as a thank-you by Mr. Lynch to those who had helped him in his legal travails. Among the guests was Christopher J. Morvillo, 59, a scion of a prominent New York family of lawyers who had represented Mr. Lynch for 12 years. He and his wife, Neda, 57, were among the missing.

So, too, was Jonathan Bloomer, 70, a veteran British insurance executive who chaired Morgan Stanley International and the insurer Hiscox.

The body of the ship’s cook, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered. All the other crew members survived. Among them was Leo Eppel, 19, of South Africa, who was on his first yacht voyage working as a deck steward, said a friend, who asked not to be identified.

Since the sinking, the recovery effort and investigation have turned the tiny port town of Porticello, a quiet enclave where older men sit bare-chested on balconies, into what feels like the set of a movie.

Helicopters have flown overhead. Ambulances have sped by with the sirens blaring. The Coast Guard has patrolled the waters off shore, within sight of a cordoned-off dock that had been turned into an emergency headquarters.

On Wednesday afternoon, a church bell tolled after the first body bag was loaded into an ambulance, a crowd watching in silence.

The survivors were sheltering in a sprawling resort near Porticello, with a view of the shipwreck spot, and had so far declined to comment.

Attilio Di Diodato, director of the Italian Air Force’s Center for Aerospace Meteorology and Climatology, said that the yacht had most likely been hit by a fierce “down burst” — when air generated within a thunderstorm descends rapidly — or by a waterspout , similar to a tornado over water.

He added that his agency had put out rough-sea warnings the previous evening, alerting sailors about storms and strong winds. Locals said the winds “felt like an earthquake.”

Mr. Costantino, the boat executive, said the yacht had been specifically designed for having a tall mast — the second-tallest aluminum mast in the world. He said the Bayesian was an extremely safe and secure boat that could list even to 75 degrees without capsizing.

But he said that if some of the hatches on the side and in the stern, or some of the deck doors, had been open, the boat could have taken on water and sunk. Standard procedure in such storms, he said, is to switch on the engine, lift the anchor and turn the boat into the wind, lowering the keel for extra stability, closing doors and gathering the guests in the main hall inside the deck.

12 guests occupied the yacht’s six cabins. There were also 10 crew members.

Open hatches, doors and cabin windows could have let in water during a storm, according to the manufacturer.

Open hatches, doors and

cabin windows could

have let in water

during a storm,

according to the

manufacturer.

Source: Superyacht Times, YachtCharterFleet, MarineTraffic

By Veronica Penney

The New York Times attempted to reach the captain, James Cutfield, who had survived, for comment through social media, his brother and the management company of the yacht (which did not hire the crew), but did not make contact.

So far none of the surviving crew members have made a public statement about what happened that night.

Fabio Genco, the director of Palermo’s emergency services, who treated some of the survivors, said that the victims had recounted feeling as if the boat was being lifted, then suddenly dropped, with objects from the cabins falling on them.

The Italian Coast Guard said it had deployed a remotely operated vehicle that can prowl underwater for up to seven hours at a depth of more than 980 feet and record videos and images that they hoped would help them reconstruct the dynamics of the sinking. Such devices were used during the search and rescue operations of the Titan vessel that is believed to have imploded last summer near the wreckage of the Titanic.

After rescuers broke inside the yacht, they struggled to navigate the ropes and many pieces of furniture cluttering the vessel, said Luca Cari, a spokesman for Italy’s national firefighter corps.

Finally, as of Thursday morning, they had managed to retrieve all but one of the missing bodies, and hopes of finding the missing person alive were thin. “Can a human being be underwater for two days?” Mr. Cari asked.

What was certain was that Mr. Lynch’s death was yet another cruel twist of fate for a man who had spent years seeking to clear his name.

He earned a fortune in technology and was nicknamed Britain’s Bill Gates. But for more than a decade, he had been treated as anything but a respected tech leader.

He was accused by Hewlett-Packard, the American technological pioneer that had bought his software company, Autonomy, for $11 billion, of misleading it about his company’s worth. (Hewlett-Packard wrote down the value of the transaction by about $8.8 billion, and critics called it one of the worst deals of all time .) He had been increasingly shunned by the British establishment that he sought to break into after growing up working-class outside London.

He was extradited to San Francisco to face criminal charges, and confined to house arrest and 24-hour surveillance on his dime. In a townhouse in the Pacific Heights neighborhood — with security people he jokingly told associates were his “roommates” — he spent his mornings talking with researchers whom he funded personally on new applications for artificial intelligence. Afterward, he devoted hours to discussing legal strategy with his team.

Despite his persistent claims of innocence, even those close to Mr. Lynch had believed his odds of victory were slim. Autonomy’s chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, was convicted in 2018 of similar fraud charges and spent five years in prison.

During Mr. Lynch’s house arrest, his brother and mother died. His wife, Angela Bacares, frequently flew over from England, and she became a constant presence in the San Francisco courtroom during the trial.

After he was finally acquitted, Mr. Lynch had his eye on the future. “I am looking forward to returning to the U.K. and getting back to what I love most: my family and innovating in my field,” he said.

Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting from Pallanza, Italy.

Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in Rome. More about Emma Bubola

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced

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Explorer yacht OCTOPUS offers once-in-a-lifetime adventures in Antarctica

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By Nina Done   26 April 2022

Considered the first ‘true’ expedition yacht, the iconic 126m (414ft) Lurssen yacht OCTOPUS is now offering her remaining availability for once-in-a-lifetime yacht charters in the breathtaking region of Antarctica commencing in December 2022.

Originally commissioned for the late Paul Allen – co-founder of Microsoft – the striking Espen Øino-designed explorer yacht has been supporting scientists and ocean research since her delivery in 2003.

Sold last year, she joined the charter fleet in January 2022 where she commenced her epic two-year global navigation in Costa Rica before transiting through the Panama Canal towards Cocos islands and the Galapagos .

Awarded the highest category of ice classification, OCTOPUS’s ice-class 1A steel hull is tailor-made for polar exploration, and cruising Antarctica will herald a raft of truly extraordinary experiences for charter guests with a passion for adventure. Lucky guests will be given the opportunity to take part in research projects and marine conservation alongside adrenaline-fuelled activities such as polar plunges, venturing into live volcano craters, heliskiing and deep sea exploration on the yacht’s 10-seater submarine à la Jules Verne. 

As well as an impressive autonomous range of 12,500nm, she also comes furnished with a huge array of toys, gadgets and state-of-the-art technology, including a DJ booth and on-water dance floor, helicopters, medical suite, remotely-controlled submarine (ROV) capable of depths of up to 2,700 meters and dive center complete with its own hyperbaric chamber. 

She's the perfect yacht to undertake such a voyage Jacqui Lockhart, Head of Charter Marketing Europe for Camper & Nicholsons

And there’s no need to compromise on luxury as guests can enjoy morning laps in her vast aft deck swimming pool, indulge in heavenly treatments in her wellness spa, take in a movie in her lavish 12-seater 4D cinema suite or simply grab a book from her well-stocked library and find a secluded alcove somewhere in the yacht's sprawling deck spaces.

She also offers guests unparalleled views in both her glass-bottomed underwater lounge and forward-facing observation platform, which also houses a dining set up. A further private observation lounge is located on the Owner's deck, which also features an intimate terrace and spa pool, along with its own lift.

In fact, everything about this impressive explorer yacht has been designed for guests' entertainment and ultimate comfort and safety whilst at sea.

Yacht charters in Antarctica

Antarctica is a remote wilderness where the concentration of wildlife is off the scale. Visitors will get the chance to spot king penguins, humpback whales and huge elephant seals in a cacophonous symphony like nowhere else on earth, with free-wheeling seabirds overhead adding to the orchestral melee. 

Steeped in human history, this tundra region is characterised by majestic blue-tinged glacial peaks, fjords and waterfalls, as well as mesmerising underwater kelp forests, promising a truly magical yacht charter experience, tailored around individual desires, that guests will treasure for a lifetime.

To find out more about chartering in the region, check out our Antarctica yacht charter guide . 

If you’d like to learn more about chartering motor yacht OCTOPUS this December, please contact a recommended yacht charter broker .

Other standout explorer yachts in the charter fleet

77m Damen Yachting 2020

85m SilverYachts 2019

85m Ak Yachts 2021

51m Fr. Schweers Shipyard 1987 / 2010

75m Abeking & Rasmussen 2016

73m Admiral Yachts 2018

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AEW’s Bryan Danielson reveals most ‘absurd’ WWE career highlight as retirement approaches

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Bryan Danielson is known as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, and he could retire at Wembley Stadium this weekend at AEW All In London .

The American Dragon, who was known as Daniel Bryan in his WWE career, is highly regarded for his technical expertise, but he’s one of his more ‘absurd’ comedic moments that he remembers most fondly.

Reflecting on his odd couple Team Hell No partnership with Kane, he exclusively told Metro.co.uk : ‘People think, “What would you be the most proud of in WWE? WrestleMania 30.”

‘One of the things I’m most proud of is I did a 10-minute live segment on Raw with Kane where we were attempting to hug each other. And it lasted over 10 minutes, and there’s two grown men just trying to hug each other.

‘So yes, I love the AEW style, I’m very sporting, but I also love the absurdity of two grown men trying to hug each other for 10 minutes and not quite knowing how to do it.’

Danielson admitted he doesn’t like ‘weird mixes’ in wrestling that combine humour and the more serious sporting edge , but he’ll throw himself wholeheartedly into either extreme.

‘It’s weird, because I don’t like things that are in the middle,’ he laughed. ‘I wanna do either super serious, sports style wrestling, or I wanna go way over the top!’

He embraces that absurdity, and so it’s no surprise he would have been content spending his days wrestling at Butlins holiday camps up and down the UK, as he did for much of his early career.

‘I would tell people, if [British wrestling promoter] Brian Dixon paid me a little bit more, I would never have left Butlins. I would still be in Butlins now, doing my thing,’ he said earnestly.

Last year, Danielson’s longtime wrestling rival Nigel McGuinness told us how playing ‘UK Kane’ – a spoof of the iconic WWE character – was a ‘career low’, but the American Dragon sees it very differently.

‘If you’d told me to play Kane at Butlins, I would’ve been like, “Oh this is great,”‘ he said, before recalling the first time he ever had to perform Rey Mysterio’s legendary 619 move.

He chuckled: ‘It wasn’t for a Butlins show but it was one of the town shows with Gangrel. and I had never done a 619 before. And just because I was wearing a mask, he was like, “Hey, I bet they’re really gonna love a 619, gimme a 619”.

‘And it was in the ring he said that. I was like, “I don’t know if I can do this!” ‘

It’s been a long and storied career for the decorated and influential wrestler, but if he loses to current AEW World Heavyweight Champion Swerve Strickland on Sunday night at Wembley Stadium, it could all be over.

‘So… the idea of being at peace is something – I try to be at peace with every outcome imaginable, right? So, with that said, yes,’ he said when asked if he was ready to retire.

He quickly added: ‘But – because I say that, because that’s my natural inclination, “Are you at peace with it? Yeah!” And people are like, “Argh! Bryan’s at peace with losing! He doesn’t care about the AEW Title! Ha Ha ha!”

‘But you and I are just talking, and yeah, I try to be peace with whatever happens, right? That’s the reality.’

Fans should never mistake that for complacency though, as Danielson’s heart still beats for wrestling, and he still takes so much joy from being around the business.

‘The thing that really drives me from a wrestling standpoint is how much artistic fulfillment I get from it. And then the joy of just doing it! And especially knowing that that time, at some point, is coming to an end relatively soon,’ he pondered.

‘It’s kind of an absurd concept, even what pro wrestling is. But to me, out of all the things I’ve done in my life, the funnest thing to do is professional wrestling.’

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