Jeff Bezos, the world’s third-richest person with a net worth of $126.2 billion, is nearing the completion of his latest extravagant purchase – a $500 million hyper yacht named Koru. After five years of construction, the vessel has undergone its final sea trials in Spain and is expected to be ready for summer.
The three-masted superyacht, which is registered under the Cayman Islands flag, is estimated to be 417 feet (127 meters) long, making it the world’s largest sailing yacht. It is also one of the largest to be built by Oceanco, based in Alblasserdam, Netherlands.
During the sea trials, the Koru underwent extensive testing to ensure that everything was working properly. If needed, the vessel will be sent back to the Netherlands for final tweaks before it is delivered to its billionaire owner.
The yacht’s height has caused a number of complications, including the original plan to dismantle a historic steel bridge in Rotterdam to allow it to reach the ocean. However, the request was later retracted due to public outcry. The yacht’s size also means it cannot have a helipad on board, so Bezos and his helicopter pilot partner Lauren Sanchez will rely on a support boat that is currently crossing the Atlantic with a destination of Gibraltar.
Bezos’ extravagant purchase has been the subject of much attention and speculation in recent years. However, the billionaire has remained tight-lipped about the project. An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
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