Held: The salvage reward is fixed at EUR 1,500 on the basis of the criteria mentioned in art 8:563 para 2 Dutch Civil Code (incorporating art 13.1 of the Salvage Convention 1989). Relevant is that at the time of the incident the yacht was a few months old and had an estimated value of EUR 65,000; that there was a brisk wind and a considerable swell, as a result of which the yacht moved up and down quickly with the risk of being damaged, while panic had broken out on board; that the salvage assistance started quickly and was carried out professionally and was completed in a short period of time (about half an hour and some follow-up); that the costs of the actual operation, which was without risk, amounted to EUR 88 based on the usual hourly rate and taking into account the fuel consumption; that the Odin is available 24 hours a day for salvage services, which is important for the safety of shipping; that a salvage reward is also intended to encourage salvage operations, and that Lima has invested EUR 93,000 in the Odin. If the refloating had demanded riskier endeavours and had involved more time and costs, a higher salvage reward would have been justified.

The fact that the experts involved by the parties came to other amounts carries no weight. Furthermore, Lima is not awarded any costs for its expert. His report contributed more to an escalation of the dispute than a resolution.