Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg is on a shopping spree. The billionaire, worth $180 billion, is shelling out a few hundred million on not one but two superyachts. In true billionaire fashion, he has joined the herd of honchos with big boats by purchasing the mammoth Project 1010, originally commissioned by the sanctioned Russian oligarch Vladimir Potanin. The Feadship beauty, now christened Launchpad, is a 387-footer that the YouTube Channel eSysman SuperYachts has confirmed now belongs to the Silicon Valley tycoon. Dutch laws prevented the Russian magnate, Potanin, from taking delivery of the Feadship stunner, and his loss became Zuckerberg’s gain.
Luxurylaunches published a story in December 2023, speculating that the Facebook CEO would be the new owner of the luxury vessel launched in August 2022. Built in the Netherlands, the Launchpad superyacht was moored and motionless until the Dutch government permitted the sale of the pleasure craft to non-Russians, making this wealthy American an ideal and acceptable candidate. The $300 million ship is now en route to Saint Maarten via the English Channel as per AIS data.
The second superyacht purchased by the fittest CEO in Silicon Valley is a stellar shadow or support vessel called Wingman. The world knew it as the motoryacht Dapple, previously owned by American video game billionaire Gabe Newell. Dapple developed a solid reputation as a yacht that saved its affluent owner from the wrath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 220-foot-long support vessel was transformed by Newell into a full-fledged hospital. The 4,999GT yacht Launchpad, along with the Lurssen superyacht Wingman worth $30 million, now makes up Zuckerberg’s fleet, which we will explore in detail below.
Meet the world’s $300 million superyacht Launchpad:
After much speculation, the 387-foot Feadship motor yacht Launchpad emerged as Zuckerberg’s launchpad into the world of shipowners. She can accommodate 24 guests who are serviced by a crew of 48. The exterior was designed by ace designer Espen Øino, while the interiors were brought to life by the French studio Zuretti. Launchpad’s most discerning feature is its stark blue hull and a red line across the waterline.
Since the superyacht has always been shrouded in secrecy and never sailed the high seas, there is limited information on what the marvel looks like inside.
Ranking at number 45 among the largest yachts worldwide in terms of length, it is safe to presume the vessel would boast world-class amenities. There is an ample main deck, a swimming pool, and top-notch facilities worthy of Zuckerberg and his family. Images reveal a large helipad with a hangar on the upper deck. The yacht flaunts a glass observation lounge and a spacious beach club. On closer inspection of the photos, one notices the decks are flanked by circular seating pods, an alfresco dining area, and a bar. Maintaining the $300 million Launchpad Yacht would set Zuckerberg back by at least $30 million annually.
Support Vessel Wingman is truly superlative:
If a support vessel could receive a report card, the aptly named Wingman would earn an A+. The 220-foot vessel, with a volume of 1,143 GT, boasts interiors by Mark Berryman and provides accommodation for up to 6 guests in 3 cabins.
The main purpose of a shadow vessel is to carry everything the owner does not wish to have aboard the main vessel. Wingman’s large deck space houses an arsenal of toys, tenders, and equipment, including a 3-seat Triton 330 submersible, a 6.5 m jet rescue tender, a Pascoe SOLAS rescue tender, four Vespa scooters, three Seadoo wave runners, a couple of Seabobs, and a range of diving gear.
The explorer yacht also boasts a helideck and a built-in dive center. Whether the new owner will change things around remains to be seen, but the Damen Yachting boat, built in 2014, underwent $5,000,000 worth of refit work in 2020. Wingman can achieve a top speed of 21 knots and a range of 8,700 nautical miles at 13.5 knots, owing to its four diesel MTU 16V 4000 M63L engines. Wingman would cost the businessman a minimum of $3-$4 million annually in upkeep.
Will this duo beat Jeff Bezos’s Koru and Abeona superyachts?
Mark Zuckerberg and other centibillionaire Jeff Bezos have more in common than just their wealth; they both own a pair of stunning superyachts and their impressive support vessels. While Zuckerberg’s latest purchases are expensive, they still cannot match Koru, a $500 million schooner, with its $75 million support vessel, Abeona, trailing behind. Not only are these boats much larger (Koru is 416 feet, while Abeona is 246 feet), but they also cost nearly double that of Zuckerberg’s vessels.
The world’s fourth-richest man, Mark Zuckerberg, was recently spotted at the pre-wedding festivities of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani’s youngest son, Anant, in Jamnagar, Gujarat, a state in India. After a tiring three-day extravaganza, it is possible that Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, might head to take delivery of their colossal yacht and unwind on it.
