While centibillionaire Mark Zuckerberg was enjoying his glittering 70s disco-themed bash with his wife, Priscilla Chan, someone was attempting to turn his $300 million superyacht into their party venue. The gatecrasher, a Florida man, hopped onto one of Zuckerberg’s three vessels docked at San Diego’s Broadway Pier on Saturday afternoon. Armed harbor police, arriving on a speedboat, arrested the man who was found on the smallest boat near the Meta CEO’s mothership. The suspect, identified by the police as Christopher Gerritt, was trespassing and reportedly throwing various objects into the water. No injuries were reported, but the incident shifted the atmosphere on the pier from admiration for the floating mansion of the world’s fourth-richest man to one of tension.
An onlooker who captured the event on camera shared, “I was taking pictures of his new boat when armed police were called to stop a man on a small boat attempting to board unlawfully.” The witness continued, “He pulled up alongside the yacht, but bystanders saw him, and the police were called.” Apparently, Zuckerberg’s collection of luxury ships, including the superyacht Launchpad and the support vessel Wingman, valued at $30 million, along with a smaller boat, had been docked at the harbor for over a month. It’s not uncommon for a vessel as striking as Launchpad to attract attention, but while most people simply admire and move on, some, like Gerritt, take things a step too far. It is not known if Mark Zuckerberg was present in San Diego at the time of this incident.
Launchpad, one of Feadship’s largest builds and a marvel of the high seas, is so stunning from the outside that it leaves many wondering what it must look like inside. Designed by Zuretti Interior Design, the vessel can accommodate up to 24 guests and requires a crew of 48 to operate. The 4,999 GT yacht features luxurious amenities, including a tennis court, helicopter deck, private cinema, gym, and deck jacuzzi. It was originally commissioned by Russian oligarch Vladimir Potanin, who was unable to take delivery of the grand yacht due to sanctions.
Despite the hiccup, owing to the prompt action of the harbor police, the vessel of the man worth $201 billion continues to remain docked at the Port of San Diego per Marine Traffic.
