Microsoft cofounder -- and supporter of conservation efforts -- Paul Allen is in hot water because the anchor chain on his 300-foot yacht is being blamed for heavy damage to a huge swath of protected coral in the Cayman Islands.
According to a report by the Cayman News Service, almost 14,000-square-feet of coral reef in the West Bay replenishment zone was destroyed by the yacht, named Tatoosh, confirmed by an in-water survey recently conducted by divers for the Department of Environment.
The Department of Environment reports that Allen was not on board the yacht when the damage occurred two weeks ago. A department representative told CNN that fines for the damage could total $600,000 with additional civil damages possibly added to that.
An initial statement released to Geekwire by Vulcan, Allen's company, claimed, "Media reports are greatly exaggerated."
But a statement posted on the Vulcan website and tweeted from the company's account was a bit more even-handed, even as it placed blame on the local Port Authority.
We’re deeply committed to ocean health. Tatoosh acted responsibly, cooperating w/ officials https://t.co/BU671EWGur pic.twitter.com/doRpuasGY4— Vulcan Inc. (@VulcanInc) January 27, 2016
The statement also, ironically, touts some of Allen's recent conservation efforts, including a project announced in 2015 to -- you guessed it -- protect and replenish coral reefs.
Besides Vulcan and Microsoft, Allen is also the founder of Seattle's Experience Music Project Museum and is the owner of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and the NBA's Portland Trailblazers.