Report: Trailblazers owner’s mega-yacht decimates coral reef

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A mega-yacht belonging to Portland Trail Blazers’ owner Paul Allen is reportedly responsible for wrecking nearly 14,000 square feet of protected coral reefs around the Cayman Islands, The Washington Post reports.

The 300-foot long Tatoosh is the 49th largest yacht in the world. It reportedly staffs a crew of 30 people and has 2 helipads.

But according to a survey by the Cayman Islands’ Department of Environment, anchor damage from the mega-yacht has caused considerable damage to the region’s marine reserve.

“Initial figures place the damaged area at 1,200 square meters … with 80 percent of the coral within that area destroyed,” the department said in a statement.

Allen’s Vulcan Inc. issued a Statement to GeekWire on Wednesday, saying the yacht’s crew followed orders to move the ship once they heard something was amiss.

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

The Department of Environment is expected to issue its final report on the incident next week, according to The Washington Post.

Allen is reportedly worth $17.4 billion.