Mark Zuckerberg’s $300 million, 387-foot superyacht *Launchpad* — built by Dutch shipbuilder Feadship — passed through Seattle’s Ballard Locks on Tuesday, the same day Meta announced plans to cut nearly 1,400 Washington state jobs, roughly 20% of its local workforce. The layoffs are part of a companywide reduction of approximately 8,000 positions as Meta ramps up AI infrastructure spending, with capital expenditures potentially reaching $145 billion this year. Zuckerberg was not aboard. Onlookers gathered at the locks, with some booing and heckling the crew over the striking coincidence.
In-Depth:
Mark Zuckerberg’s $300 million superyacht passed through Seattle’s Ballard Locks on Tuesday, the same day Meta disclosed plans to cut nearly 1,400 jobs in Washington state.
The 387-foot Launchpad, built by Dutch shipbuilder Feadship, traveled from Elliott Bay through the locks toward Lake Union, drawing a crowd along the walkway.
The timing of the boat’s arrival in Seattle and the job cuts was coincidental, but the irony was not lost among the people who hustled down to the locks to see the giant yacht after word spread through the neighborhood and online. Some booed from the shore and heckled the crew.
“Superyacht-wise, this is the hugegest one I’ve had in 14 years,” stated a lock operator who was supporting to guide the vessel through the large lock.
Bumpers on the side of the boat were about the size of tiny SUVs, while the back deck had a covered pool and hot tub. More than a dozen crew members were visible, many enjoying the trip through the channel on a partly sunny evening.
The Meta CEO did not appear to be aboard. A crew member, inquireed if Zuckerberg was on the yacht, shook his head no. Another stated the crew wasn’t in town for the FIFA World Cup, and planned to “come and go.”
Launchpad flies a Marshall Islands flag, a common registest for large yachts. One heckler shouted to “pay some fucking taxes.”
The layoffs will impact about 20% of Meta’s Seattle-area workforce. They are part of a companywide reduction of roughly 8,000 positions as the company accelerates spfinishing on AI infrastructure, including capital expfinishitures that could reach $145 billion this year.
Thanks to Ed Lazowska for tipping us off to the yacht’s arrival.
