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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13G

                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                (Amendment No. )*


                          Skyterra Communications, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)


                               Voting Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)


                                    83087K107
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)


                                December 31, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

     Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this
Schedule is filed:

          [_] Rule 13d-1(b)

          [x] Rule 13d-1(c)

          [_] Rule 13d-1(d)

----------
*    The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
     person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
     securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
     would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

     The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).



CUSIP No.   83087K107
            ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                   (a) [_]
                                                                   (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     469,200

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     469,200

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     469,200

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                       [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.8%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No.   83087K107
            ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                   (a) [_]
                                                                   (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     469,200

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     469,200

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     469,200

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                       [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.8%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO

------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No.   83087K107
            ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     HMC Investors, L.L.C.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                   (a) [_]
                                                                   (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     485,800

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     485,800

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     485,800

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                       [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     6.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO

------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No.   83087K107
            ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Philip Falcone

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                   (a) [_]
                                                                   (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     480,000

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     480,000

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     480,000

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                       [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.9%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN

------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No.   83087K107
            ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Raymond J. Harbert

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                   (a) [_]
                                                                   (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     485,800

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     485,800

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     485,800

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                       [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     6.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN

------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No.   83087K107
            ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Michael D. Luce

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                   (a) [_]
                                                                   (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     485,800

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     485,800

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     485,800

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                       [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     6.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No.   83087K107
            ---------------------

Item 1(a).  Name of Issuer:

            Skyterra Communications, Inc.
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (b).  Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:

            19 West 44th Street, Suite 507
            New York, New York 10036
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 2(a).  Name, Principal Business Address, and Citizenship of Persons
            Filing:

            Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd. - Cayman Islands
            c/o International Fund Services (Ireland) Limited
            Third Floor, Bishop's Square
            Redmond's Hill
            Dublin 2, Ireland

            HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - Delaware
            Philip Falcone - U.S.A.
            555 Madison Avenue
            16th Floor
            New York, New York 10022
            United States of America

            HMC Investors, L.L.C. - Delaware
            Raymond J. Harbert - U.S.A.
            Michael D. Luce - U.S.A.
            One Riverchase Parkway South
            Birmingham, Alabama 35244
            United States of America
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (d).  Title of Class of Securities:

            Voting Common Stock
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (e).  CUSIP Number:

            83087K107
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 3.     If This Statement is filed pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(b) or
            240.13d-2(b), or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

     (a)  [_] Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act
              (15 U.S.C. 78c).

     (b)  [_] Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C.
              78c).

     (c)  [_] Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange
              Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

     (d)  [_] Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment
              Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8).

     (e)  [_] An investment adviser in accordance with s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

     (f)  [_] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with
              s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

     (g)  [_] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule
              13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

     (h)  [_] A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal
              Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.1813);

     (i)  [_] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an
              investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment
              Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);

     (j)  [_] Group, in accordance with s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

Item 4.     Ownership.

     Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and
percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.

     (a)  Amount beneficially owned:

          Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd. - 469,200
          HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 469,200
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 485,800
          Philip Falcone - 480,000
          Raymond J. Harbert - 485,800
          Michael D. Luce - 485,800
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (b)  Percent of class:

          Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd. - 5.8%
          HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 5.8%
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 6.0%
          Philip Falcone - 5.9%
          Raymond J. Harbert - 6.0%
          Michael D. Luce - 6.0%
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (c)  Number of shares as to which the person has:

          (i)  Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:

          Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd. - 0
          HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
          Philip Falcone - 0
          Raymond J. Harbert - 0
          Michael D. Luce - 0

          (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:

          Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd. - 469,200
          HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 469,200
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 485,800
          Philip Falcone - 480,000
          Raymond J. Harbert - 485,800
          Michael D. Luce - 485,800

         (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

          Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd. - 0
          HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
          Philip Falcone - 0
          Raymond J. Harbert - 0
          Michael D. Luce - 0

          (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

          Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd. - 469,200
          HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 469,200
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 485,800
          Philip Falcone - 480,000
          Raymond J. Harbert - 485,800
          Michael D. Luce - 485,800

Item 5.     Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

     If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date
hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than
five percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ].

            N/A
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 6.     Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

     If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to
direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such
securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this
item and, if such interest relates to more than five percent of the class, such
person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries
of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.

            N/A 
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 7.     Identification and  Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired
            the Security  Being  Reported on by the Parent  Holding  Company or
            Control Person.

     If a parent holding company or Control person has filed this schedule,
pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an
exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant
subsidiary. If a parent holding company or control person has filed this
schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating
the identification of the relevant subsidiary.

            N/A
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 8.     Identification  and  Classification  of Members of the Group.

     If a group has filed this schedule pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J),
so indicate under Item 3(j) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and Item
3 classification of each member of the group. If a group has filed this schedule
pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(c) or ss.240.13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the
identity of each member of the group.

            N/A
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 9.     Notice of Dissolution of Group.

     Notice of dissolution of a group may be furnished as an exhibit stating the
date of the dissolution and that all further filings with respect to
transactions in the security reported on will be filed, if required, by members
of the group, in their individual capacity. See Item 5.

            N/A
            --------------------------------------------------------------------



Item 10.    Certification.

          (b)  The following certification shall be included if the statement is
               filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c):

               By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
               belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and
               are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or
               influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were
               not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a
               participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect.

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.



Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd.*
By: HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C.*
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

HMC Investors, L.L.C.*

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

/s/ Philip Falcone*
---------------------
Philip Falcone

/s/ Raymond J. Harbert*
---------------------
Raymond J. Harbert

/s/ Michael D. Luce*
---------------------
Michael D. Luce

January 13, 2005

*The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership in the shares reported
herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.






                                                                       Exhibit A


                                  AGREEMENT


The undersigned agree that this Schedule 13G dated January 13, 2005 relating to
the Voting Common Stock of Skyterra Communications, Inc. shall be filed on
behalf of the undersigned.


Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd.*
By: HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
-------------------------

HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C.*
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
-------------------------

HMC Investors, L.L.C.*

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
-------------------------

/s/ Philip Falcone*
---------------------
Philip Falcone

/s/ Raymond J. Harbert*
---------------------
Raymond J. Harbert

/s/ Michael D. Luce*
---------------------
Michael D. Luce

*The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership in the shares reported
herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.




03773.0003 #539924