By Aileen Donnelly From National Post

Microsoft billionaire and philanthropist Paul Allen is shirking blame for the destruction of almost 1,300 square metres of coral reef, which the Cayman Islands says was caused by his 95-metre superyacht.

The Cayman Islands’ Department of Environment determined that the anchor chain attached to Allen’s Tatoosh yacht damaged more than 80 per cent of protected reef in the West Bay replenishment zone, the Cayman News Service reported. The luxury boat was anchored near the Doc Poulson shipwreck and the Knife site, two popular diving destinations, when the damage occurred.

“In addition to assessing the damage and determining the cause of this incident, we are also paying close attention to lessons learned so that we can more effectively prevent these accidents while still hosting visiting yachts,” a spokesperson for the Department of Environment told the local news service.

The Cayman Islands has the authority to fine ships that damage its reefs, but the government rarely takes action, according to the Cayman News Service.

Allen’s yacht staff are co-operating with the investigation, but a statement from his philanthropic foundation Vulcan Inc. blames the port authority that told his crew where to anchor the vessel.

“Media reports are greatly exaggerated and the investigation by the local authorities is continuing,” Vulcan Inc. said. “The local port authority had directed the Tatoosh to anchor in a designated area. The crew moved the vessel, on its own accord, as soon as it learned from local divers that there might be a problem.”

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The yacht in question is one of two owned by the co-founder of Microsoft. The Tatoosh is the 49th largest in the world, and can hold up to 20 guests and 30 staff. It features a swimming pool, cinema, basketball court, recording studio and two helicopter pads, according to Business Insider. His Octopus megayacht is the 14th largest. The 126-metre vessel features a glass bottom swimming pool and a 10-person submarine that is regularly used in exploration projects and scientific research initiatives.

Allen is better known for protecting reefs than destroying them. In 2013 the Paul G. Allen Ocean Challenge awarded $10,000 to a team of researchers who wanted to assist coral evolution. Last June, Vulcan Inc. provided the team with a $4 million grant to grow “super coral” that they hope can withstand the hotter and more acidic oceans that are expected with global warming.

“Paul Allen is deeply committed to ocean health and has a growing portfolio of programs targeted at the protection of marine life,” Vulcan’s senior director of philanthropy, Dune Ives, said at the time.

With files from The Associated Press

IMAGES:
Paul Allen’s Tatoosh superyacht. Seastar357/WikipediaPaul Allen’s Tatoosh superyacht.
Ramin Talaie/Bloomberg Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft.
HO/AFP/Getty ImagesPaul Allen’s Octopus superyacht.

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