Celebrity News

Microsoft co-founder’s megayacht wrecks coral reef

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has spent millions on ocean conservation and backed programs to save endangered coral, but those reefs had better not get in the way of his 300-foot megayacht.

Allen’s $162 million Tatoosh destroyed 13,800 square feet of coral reef in the Cayman Islands’ protected replenishment zone. Local officials said the massive anchor and chain wiped out most of the coral in the area on the western coast of Grand Cayman on Jan. 14.

“Initial figures place the damaged area at 1,200 square meters . . . with 80 percent of the coral within that area destroyed,” according to the Cayman Department of Environment.

The billionaire now faces a fine, his crew could be criminally prosecuted and his beloved yacht, the 43rd-largest in the world, could be seized.

“National conservation law protects all coral species throughout the Caymans,” Timothy Austin, deputy director of research at the environmental department, told Page Six. “However it happened, the ship is liable for it . . . the law allows for criminal prosecution and the judge could post a fine” of up to about $600,000.

Austin said it could also mean “up to four years in prison and confiscation” of the yacht. However, we’re told it’s unlikely Tatoosh would be taken, because insurance usually covers the fine. Allen, worth more than $18 billion, can afford it.

Officials are still investigating the damage and will complete a full report this week. Parts of the reef may be repaired, but “it takes a lot of work and is hugely expensive and very labor-intensive,” added Austin.

Allen’s firm, Vulcan Inc., would not confirm he was on board at the time, and said, “Tatoosh was moored in a position explicitly directed by the local Port Authority. When its crew was alerted by a diver that her anchor chain may have impacted coral, the crew promptly relocated to ensure the reef was protected. Vulcan and the crew are cooperatively working with local authorities.” It added that Allen just announced support for research to stabilize and restore coral reefs.