Jeff Bezos has built what is believed to be the biggest sailing yacht in the world, and getting it to the open ocean requires taking apart a section of a historic bridge.
Picture: Wikimedia Commons/ Steve Jurvetson
Bezo’s 127-metre vessel was reported to be the ‘biggest and most luxurious sailing yacht in the world once finished.’ For a man who funded a phallic-looking space rocket, some may say he’s overcompensating with his giant superyacht.
Bezo’s megayacht has three masts that are too tall to pass under Rotterdam’s historic bridge, the Koningshaven Bridge, despite its clearance of over 40 metres.
The bridge is locally referred to as Die Hef, is nearly 100 years old. It was renovated and then put back together in 2017, after which the city pledged it wouldn’t be taken apart again, Dutch broadcaster Rijnmond reported.
The city is now planning to remove a centre portion of the bridge so that the yacht can pass through. The city of Rotterdam is reportedly granting permission for the maritime sector to take the boat to sea, but the cost of dismantling and reassembling the bridge will be the shipbuilder’s responsibility.
Bezo’s yacht, only known as Y721, is predicted to cost $500 million (7.6 billion) and is expected to be ‘one of the finest sailing yachts in existence.
In addition to Bezo’s mega-yacht, he has commissioned a second smaller ‘support yacht’ with its helipad.
How long are we going to let the rich get away with being rich?
This is an argument made by Environmental thinker Andreas Malm, who justifiable vilifies the rich, specifically their affinity towards yachts.
According to an Oxfam report, the richest 1% have a carbon footprint 175 times larger than the worlds poorest 10%. The case couldn’t be more true with yachts.
A Scientific study revealed that the CO2 emissions required to fuel yachts to just move them around accounts for as many emissions as 10 million people in Burundi.
This does not even consider the other environmental consequences, such as materials used in construction and when Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen crashed into and destroyed 80% of a protected Caribbean coral reef in 2016.
The slogan of a yacht company exemplifies the arrogant and excessive consumption of the rich: ‘people don’t need yachts, they want them.’
Featured picture: Screenshot from video
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