On the bright morning of July 27, the 37.8-meter long superyacht "Lovebug" capsized and became stranded in a tributary of Chesapeake Bay. Forgotten by tides and time, the once-grand vessel lay idle for weeks-until now.

Rising from the Depths

The salvage operations, initially planned to begin on August 13, experienced several setbacks due to Tropical Storm Debby's strong winds and tidal activities. Despite the obstacles, salvage work is progressing smoothly, and the Lovebug has miraculously resurfaced.

New York-based marine rescue company, Donjon Marine, took the helm of the salvage operations on August 23. The capsized Lovebug will be towed to New Jersey, after which it will be transported to a shipyard on the banks of the Morris River.

Destination - Shipyards of the Morris River

Three shipyards await the Lovebug in this region: the Dorchester Shipyard, Delaware Bay Shipbuilding Company, and Yank Marine. These are renowned establishments known for their exceptional craftsmanship and comprehensive repair services.

Lovebug's Misadventure

At the time of its capsize, the Lovebug was anchored near the seaside town of Shady Side, located near the mouth of the West River, approximately half a mile offshore between Beverly Beach and Curtis Point in Maryland. The Lovebug was en route to Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, when the unfortunate incident occurred.

Environmental Impact – A Silver Lining

Shortly after the incident, the U.S. Coast Guard assured in a statement that there were "currently no reports of pollution". A containment boom was deployed around the boat to mitigate any potential leakage. So far, there have been no further reports on any pollution caused by the Lovebug's sinking.

Life Aboard the Lovebug

Designed by Italian Studio Francesco Paszkowski, the Lovebug, originally named "Anastasia M," was built by Sanlorenzo in 2010. Features of this superyacht included a sun deck with a small swimming pool, bar, and sunshades. Equipped with zero-speed stabilizers, it could accommodate 11 guests and seven crew members, including a full-width master room with an en-suite bathroom and office.

The Lovebug, which changed hands several times and underwent a renovation in 2017, was last known to be on offer for $7.995 million. Often anchored at the Annapolis Yacht Club, it was a highly sought-after charter yacht, fetching a weekly rental of $125,900.

As we await further updates on the Lovebug's journey, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of yacht safety, offering valuable lessons to all boat owners.

Stay tuned for more updates on Lovebug's rebirth in our upcoming articles.