How Far Would You Go for a Yacht? Jeff Bezos Has an Answer.
Imagine loving yachts so much that you’re willing to dismantle a national monument for one. That’s exactly what Jeff Bezos — Amazon founder and billionaire — was ready to do in Rotterdam, and the locals weren’t too happy about it.
The controversy surrounded Oceanco Y721, the largest sailing yacht ever built in the Netherlands. At 127 meters long and with three towering masts, the vessel couldn’t pass under the city’s iconic Koningshaven Bridge (or “De Hef” as locals affectionately call it) — a treasured industrial-era monument.
Although the bridge is no longer in use, it was preserved in 1994 thanks to public efforts and officially granted heritage status. It was even restored in 2017 — with the city promising never to dismantle it again.
But when Bezos’s yacht needed a way to open sea, that promise was put to the test.
This time, the yacht builder offered to fund both the dismantling and reassembly of the bridge. Financially, sure — no problem. But emotionally? For many locals, it felt like a betrayal. Social media erupted with criticism: “If the government bows to the richest man alive, then we’ll stand up for our heritage ourselves.”
The protest quickly went viral. One popular suggestion? Pelt the megayacht with rotten eggs as it passed through the broken bridge. Harsh, but symbolic.
In the end, however, the bridge wasn’t touched. The yacht — now known as Koru — was moved to another shipyard where its masts could be installed without controversy. Diplomacy (and logistics) won this time.
Still, the question lingers:
Would you rather take down a bridge… or build your yacht shorter?
