Phoenix International Holdings, Inc. (Phoenix), under the direction of the U.S. Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), located and recovered a downed U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II aircraft in the South China Sea from a depth of 12,400 feet.

Working aboard the offshore construction vessel Picasso, Phoenix and SUPSALV deployed the U.S. Navy’s Autonomous Underwater Vehicle “Trondheim” to locate the aircraft. The Phoenix and SUPSALV team then used the U.S. Navy’s Remotely Operated Vehicle “CURV 21” to attach specialized rigging and lift lines to the aircraft. The aircraft was lifted to the surface and hoisted aboard Picasso.

“Phoenix is honored to have played a role in this successful salvage operation for the U.S. Navy.” Pat Keenan, President of Phoenix International Holdings, Inc.

Phoenix is an employee-owned, ISO certified marine services contractor providing manned and unmanned underwater solutions, engineering, and project management services to a diverse set of clients worldwide. Expertise is available from seven regional offices in the areas of wet and dry hyperbaric welding, Nondestructive Testing, (NDT), subsea engineering, conventional and atmospheric diving, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and ROV operations. Company capabilities are directed to underwater inspection, maintenance, and repair; deep ocean survey, search and recovery operations; submarine rescue; construction; subsea tieback; plug and abandonment; subsea mining; archaeological; and documentary projects.