Immigrant who survived on food stamps and built an app that is used by more than 2 billion people across the world, now has an armada of superyachts and the cheapest vessel in his fleet is this $30 million support ship which is 180-foot long

Who doesn’t love a good rags-to-riches story? But when the rise from rags is as inspiring as it is, it’s just as important to talk about the riches, to truly grasp how far a person has come. Take the example of WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum, for instance. He’s the poster boy for the American Dream, not only because of his struggles and tumultuous journey but also for how he’s choosing to enjoy the success that was hard-earned.

At 48, Koum would’ve never imagined, as a 16-year-old immigrant, that he would one day own a fleet of superyachts. His success would surely swell the hearts of his mother and grandmother, who supported him when they moved to the U.S. After all, it’s hard to fathom such paramount success when you once lived in a tiny California apartment, aided by a social-support program.

Also read - American billionaire and owner of Harbor Freight stores just took delivery of this 384-feet long megayacht. The $350 million vessel has seven decks, a pool, and a yoga studio it uses AI to stabilize the mammoth yacht on rough seas.

Now, the founder of the world’s largest mobile messaging service owns a fleet that commands admiration, including the lavish $220-million Feadship Moonrise, the $75-million Nobiskrug Mogambo, and a 262-foot yacht under construction at Germany’s Abeking & Rasmussen. The self-made billionaire is living life king-size, and deservedly so. Worth $16.4 billion, according to Forbes, Koum also owns the support vessel Power Play and Moonrise’s secondary vessel, Nebula.

This time, however, we’re shifting our focus from his largest, most talked-about vessel, Moonrise, to his smallest yet still impressive $30-million Damen Yachting shadow vessel, Power Play. Unlike the $40-million Nebula, a 223-foot vessel known for housing the largest hangar on any private yacht, Power Play is a sober example of what happens when power comes into play.

Also read - The shipyard that built Jeff Bezos' megayacht has completely transformed this Saudi billionaire's $100 million superyacht. He got his vessel extended by 10 meters to include a 23-foot-long infinity pool, a beach club, a climate-controlled winter garden, & a lot more.

Power Play: A compact marvel of luxury

At 181 feet, Power Play by Damen Yachting may not be a mammoth like the Jeff Bezos-owned Abeona, which follows Koru around, but it comes with its own set of perks. The $30-million vessel boasts a top speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 16 knots. At 10 knots, it can manage a maximum cruising range of 5,000 nautical miles, powered by four Caterpillar diesel engines.

The 489 GT vessel accommodates 6 guests in 3 staterooms and can carry 10 crew members. Power Play is home to an arsenal of tenders, toys, and equipment. Images show a spacious sundeck and a lounge with panoramic views, providing ample space for relaxation and entertainment.

Note – According to Statista, WhatsApp has 2 billion active users.