Billionaire sparks outrage after pulling into port in $200 million superyacht: 'These people are a problem'

Superyacht and megayacht owners are rarely received kindly by the general public online. A Reddit post highlighted one billionaire's addition to the worldwide fleet of egregious ships, as it was spotted docked in British Columbia.

"Billionaire Dennis Washington's $200 million Attessa V superyacht spotted in Vancouver," the post read.

A superyacht is defined as a vessel over 100 feet, but it can be much larger. In turn, it's not abnormal for these ships to cost boatloads of money.

While many see super and megayachts as tacky displays of wealth, the issue is bigger than millionaires and billionaires being showboats.

The Guardian called megayachts "environmentally indefensible" in 2023, and awareness of these ships' effects on the planet is growing.

Aside from requiring excessive fuel to run, these yachts do more than pollute the air. While usually an accident, dumping hazardous fluids into the ocean is not a surprise when it comes to superyacht culture.

Yacht Carbon Offset reports: "Accidental leaks or spills can have devastating consequences for marine ecosystems." The article also highlights that noise pollution from these massive ships can be devastating to marine wildlife that rely on noise for communicating with one another.

Yachts get a bad rep for the same reason McMansions do: because their owners are more than likely to have more than just one eco-indulgent toy.

A commenter on the Reddit thread of the yacht docked in British Columbia showcased this harsh truth, saying: "He's got 4 other Atessas, this is just the biggest."

While the sentiment of online superyacht critics is strong, the ultra-rich will likely continue to purchase these dirty fuel-guzzling ships. To offset this issue, one yacht maker designed a superyacht that relies on renewable energy and is capable of being carbon-neutral. Though some of the same problems remain, it is a step in the right direction.

Should the ultra-wealthy pay a tax to help offset their environmental impact? Absolutely 💯 Depends how they're taxed 💰 Only corporations should pay those 🏭 No way 🚫 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Other commenters expressed their pushback toward the $200 million Attessa V superyacht.

"These people are a problem," one person said.

Another user joked: "You know what to do, Orcas," referencing news stories of orcas wreaking havoc on yachts.

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