The Dutch will dismantle 150-year-old bridge so Jeff Bezos's $500 million yacht can pass

A historic steel Dutch bridge will be partially, temporarily dismantled so that Jeff Bezos’s superyacht can make its way to the ocean.

Bezos’ $500 million yacht is too big to pass under the historic Koningshaven Bridge, which stands in the way as the yacht goes to its owner. The shipyard that is constructing the superyacht has asked the local council to dismantle the bridge’s central section... so that Bezos's big yacht can pass through.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

Amazon boss Bezos has ordered a huge superyacht, at a cost of €430 million (about $500 million). This yacht is being built in the South Holland town of Alblasserdam, The Netherlands by OceanCo. But when the yacht moves from its place of creation to the US, it will have to pass through the historic Koningshaven Bridge, commonly known as De Hef. 

The megayacht has three masts, which are too tall to pass underneath the Koningshaven Bridge, despite its clearance of over 131 feet. As the height of the bridge doesn't allow the ship to naturally pass through it, a part of it will have to be dismantled to let it pass. 

WHY THE COMMOTION? 

Now De Hef was built in 1878 and then was rebuilt after being bombed by the Nazis in 1940 during the Second World War. There were plans to demolish the bridge in 1993, but the plan was discarded following pushback from residents. The bridge is currently a Dutch national monument.

Ironically during this restoration, the Dutch officials had said that the bridge would never be taken apart. 

But Bezos's superyacht now has to pass through this particular bridge and there is no other way to reach the ocean. So, looks like the city is in a dicey situation to choose between its own history or obstruct the Amazon man.

The country knows that dismantling the structure and putting it back again might damage the bridge's efficiency, and is too much work for a man's yacht, even though the bridge is not in use. The outrage is also towards Bezos because of him being in news for not paying taxes and exploiting his employees. 

A GLIMPSE OF THE YACHT AND THE OUTRAGE 

This is what the yacht looks like: 

Oceanco Y721 is a 127-metre sailing yacht currently being built by OceanCo in The Netherlands. It is understood to be a three-masted schooner with an aluminium and steel construction. Bezos's yacht will become the world's largest sailing superyacht upon delivery in 2022.

Obviously, the move to let the yacht pass has sparked fury among history lovers, the Dutch public and some local councillors. 

So we'll said. https://t.co/QbxaKTn2GT

— Jill Wine-Banks (@JillWineBanks) February 4, 2022

Jeff Bezos when asked why he raised Amazon Prime price for customers: pic.twitter.com/EnHIZofVma

— Danny Armstrong (@DArmstrong44) February 4, 2022

My only opinion here is that @StephanLeewis is a national hero for getting the pun right.That is really going a bridge too far," GroenLinks city councilor Stephan Leewis said.https://t.co/6lYBzLbix4

— Augusto da Serra (@gutoinbrasil) February 3, 2022

A million percent in solidarity with anyone in Rotterdam who throws eggs at Jeff bezos’s yachtI can’t believe that’s a sensical sentence but here we are

— Linda Tirado (@KillerMartinis) February 4, 2022

So, how acceptable is it to threaten a historic monument for the convenience of a billionaire who is in the news for the wrong reasons? 

THE SOLUTION

The middle section of the huge steel-girdered bridge will be removed in the summer months to give enough clearance for the 40-metre (130-foot) high boat, if the decision is confirmed in the coming week. 

Bezos and shipbuilder OceanCo have both reportedly agreed to cover the cost of dismantling and restoring the bridge. 

The project leader at Rotterdam City Council Marcel Walravens hopes that the middle section of the bridge would only be removed for a day. The benefit would be that there would be economic and job benefits to the region as Bezos's yacht needs a lot of labour. Plus, this will also boost the international shipbuilding reputation. The mayor's office also promised that the bridge would be rebuilt as per the original design.

What do you think of this ridiculous decision of dismantling the birdge for the yacht?