richard devos yacht

Did Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Register Her Yacht in the Cayman Islands?

Several viral memes made unfounded assumptions based on the complicated inner workings of the devos family's business interests., dan macguill, published aug. 17, 2018.

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The yacht Seaquest is registered in the Cayman Islands, and it is owned by DeVos' father-in-law via an entity linked to RDV Corporation, a DeVos family management company in which DeVos and her family members are intimately intertwined.

According to a spokesperson for RDV Corporation, Betsy DeVos does not personally own Seaquest, has never held any ownership in it, and has never made any management or registration decisions related to it.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has been the subject of intense scrutiny since even before her appointment, both about her qualifications and positions on education policy and also about her (and her family's) financial connections , investments, and donations .

That scrutiny continued in August 2018, when the investigative web site Capital & Main published a report detailing the registration and management of a yacht associated with the DeVos family:

When someone untied a yacht owned by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’s family, Fox News portrayed the episode as an illustration of uncouth anti-Trump sentiment. The yacht’s foreign flag, though, was an illustration of how an allegedly “America First” administration is chock-full of moguls who have eagerly stashed their wealth offshore -- as long as doing so means avoiding taxes, regulations, transparency requirements and domestic employment laws. ... When her family’s 164-foot yacht was untied from a Huron, Ohio dock, it was flying a flag of the Cayman Islands, where VesselTracker says the yacht is registered. According to federal records, the yacht is owned by RDV International Marine, which is an affiliate of the company that controls the DeVos family’s fortune. ... When buying a vessel or cruising in U.S. waters, American yacht owners like the DeVoses could face state sales or use taxes. However, registering a yacht in a locale like the Caymans — under what has come to be known as a “flag of convenience” — allows those American yacht owners to effectively characterize themselves as foreigners for tax purposes, thereby avoiding the obligation of paying the standard sales and use levies, while enjoying police and Coast Guard services during times their vessels are untied.

The report, which was also published by Newsweek , prompted several memes from left-wing and progressive social media accounts, such as the following Occupy Democrats post:

"The Other 98%" posted a similar meme of their own:

On Facebook, the progressive "Americans for Tax Fairness" coalition posted a meme which claimed that the Cayman Islands registration applied to all the yachts owned by the DeVos family:

The yacht in question, Seaquest , is registered in the Cayman Islands, an arrangement that has potentially allowed its owner(s) to avoid paying taxes that they would otherwise face when travelling in the United States. However, it cannot be affirmed with certainty that this was the motivation behind the overseas registration.

Furthermore, Betsy DeVos is not the owner of the vessel (although members of her family are), and a spokesperson for the DeVos family's main management company told us that neither she nor her husband Dick was responsible for the decision to register the yacht in the Cayman Islands.

Seaquest is a 164-foot long (50-meter) yacht built by Westport and registered in George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands. It is owned and managed by R.D.V. International Marine, according to the web site VesselTracker.com . The country's Shipping Registry confirmed to us that Seaquest's official Cayman Island's vessel number is 740641.

R.D.V. International Marine is an entity of R.D.V. Corporation, the Michigan- registered management company which oversees the substantial financial investments and business interests of the DeVos family, headed by 92-year-old Richard DeVos, a multi-billionaire businessman and one of the co-founders of the "multi-level marketing" giant Amway.

Dick DeVos (Richard DeVos Jr.), the husband of Betsy DeVos, is a director of R.D.V. Corporation, as is the couple's daughter Elisabeth ("Elissa") Lowery, Dick's sister Suzanne ("Cheri") DeVos, and his brothers Doug and Dan and their wives Maria and Pamella. Betsy DeVos was herself a company director until November 2016, according to her financial disclosure .

However, Chief Operating Officer of the Windquest Group, Greg McNeilly, told us that Dick and Betsy DeVos are not the owners of Seaquest . (The Windquest Group is a private investment firm founded by Dick DeVos, who is its president. Betsy DeVos was a director at Windquest until November 2016.)

This was corroborated by Nick Wasmiller, a spokesperson for R.D.V. Corporation, who told us by email that Seaquest is owned (through R.D.V. International Marine) by Richard DeVos, who previously owned it in conjunction with his wife Helen prior to her death in October 2017: "Dick and Betsy DeVos do not own Seaquest and have never held ownership in the watercraft ... Dick and Betsy DeVos had no role in the registration of Seaquest nor the management of any subsequent efforts to maintain that registration."

So the three memes referenced above (from Occupy Democrats, the Other 98% and Americans for Tax Fairness) are factually inaccurate in alleging that Betsy DeVos both owns Seaquest and registered it in the Cayman Islands, or that she registered "her family's fleet of 10 yachts" in the Cayman Islands.

The yacht Seaquest is, and has always been, owned by Betsy DeVos' father-in-law, according to spokespersons for two DeVos family companies, and Betsy herself has never made any management or registration decisions about it, according to a spokesperson for R.D.V. Corporation.

A 2017 investigation by the Wall Street Journal outlined how the extended DeVos family structures and manages their investments, business interests, and assets, which include nine vessels other than Seaquest: Blue Sky, Quantum Racing, Delta Victor, Reflection, Attitude, Sterling, Windquest, Zorro , and De Lus .

In response to our question, Wasmiller confirmed that these other nine vessels are "owned by various DeVos family entities" but said they are "registered in the United States."

We checked the U.S. Coast Guard's Vessel Documentation Center database , and found that the nine DeVos family-related vessels listed by the Wall Street Journal are indeed all registered to ports in the United States, specifically in Michigan, Delaware, and Florida.

So the Americans for Tax Fairness meme is also false on the grounds that it claims Betsy DeVos registered "her family's fleet of 10 yachts in the Cayman Islands," but in reality nine of those vessels are registered in the United States, and the one that is registered in the Cayman Islands is not managed or owned by Betsy DeVos.

While Betsy DeVos does not personally own or manage Seaquest , it is possible that its registration in the Cayman Islands, as opposed to the United States, might have allowed its owner, Richard DeVos (via RDV International Marine) to avoid incurring certain taxes (though this is not certain), as Capital & Main reported :

If the vessel were registered in, say, Grand Rapids, Michigan — the state where RDV is located and that has in the past made an effort to compel yacht owners to pay use taxes — the SeaQuest would likely be subject to Michigan’s six percent use tax. That would require the DeVos empire to cough up about $2.4 million ...

The figure of $2.4 million represents six percent of $40 million, which is the estimated value given to Seaquest in several news reports, including Capital & Main's investigation. The source of that evaluation is not clear, with many articles describing the yacht as being "reportedly valued at $40 million," without providing any attribution for that number.

We found one online broker selling a brand-new 164-foot Westport yacht (like Seaquest ) for $42.5 million, and another 2013 listing for a similar vessel which presented a sale price of $34 million. Seaquest was built in 2008, so it's possible its purchase price was lower than $40 million.

Furthermore, it's unclear whether Seaquest would actually incur a tax liability even if it were registered in Michigan. What's in question here is a type of taxation called "use tax," which applies to tangible products and entities that are brought into and used or consumed in a particular jurisdiction (in this case the state of Michigan), in circumstances where sales tax does not apply.

Section 205.93 of Michigan's Compiled Laws states that:

There is levied upon and there shall be collected from every person in this state a specific tax, including both the local community stabilization share and the state share, for the privilege of using, storing, or consuming tangible personal property in this state at a total combined rate equal to 6% of the price of the property or services ...

So, in principle at least, if you own a yacht that is habitually docked or sailed in Michigan, that is likely to be regarded as storage or usage, and you would owe the state of Michigan use tax of six percent of the price of the yacht.

However, certain exemptions from this use tax exist when the property is purchased outside Michigan, is "used solely for personal, nonbusiness purposes," and "the property is purchased by a person who is not a resident of this state at the time of purchase and is brought into this state more than 90 days after the date of purchase" or "the property is purchased by a person who is a resident of this state at the time of purchase and is brought into this state more than 360 days after the date of purchase."

We don't know whether Richard DeVos was a resident of Michigan at the time he bought Seaquest in 2008, and we don't know how much time elapsed between his purchase of the yacht and its arrival in the state. Therefore, even if Seaquest were registered in Michigan and not the Cayman Islands, it's not certain that vessel would be subject to use tax, although this is certainly a possibility.

Wasmiller, on behalf of R.D.V. Corporation, provided an alternative explanation for the decision to register Seaquest in the Cayman Islands:

Non-commercial watercraft exceeding 100 feet, such as Seaquest, are commonly registered in the Cayman Islands. The country’s strict safety, manning and operation standards for non-commercial watercraft are widely recognized in international waters and closely align with requirements commonly encountered during global travel. As a result, registration in the Cayman Islands provides for the most efficient entrance and exit of various jurisdictions. In boating terms, it’s a widely recognized flag -- a significant benefit when traveling internationally, thus the registration of Seaquest there. Also of note, it is the policy of RDV International Marine that all employees aboard Seaquest are eligible to work in the United States, as the boat does periodically enter U.S. waterways.

The claims contained in the viral memes we listed are based on several assumptions, made without sufficient evidence, and contradicted by spokespersons for Dick and Betsy DeVos and Richard DeVos.

First, RDV International Marine owns Seaquest , and RDV International Marine is an entity of RDV Corporation, the DeVos "family office" which oversees the family's substantial business interests, assets and investments.

However, even though Betsy DeVos is a former director of RDV Corporation, and her family members are closely intertwined with the company, this does not mean that every asset owned by every entity of RDV Corporation is also owned (even in part) by every member of the DeVos family. It is a family company, but it is not a co-op.

This logical and evidentiary leap is also directly contradicted by spokespersons for two DeVos-related companies, who stated on the record that Richard DeVos owns Seaquest , and that neither Betsy nor Dick DeVos have ever owned even part of it nor have ever made decisions about its management and registration.

Second, there is a significant evidentiary leap from the fact that one DeVos-related yacht is registered in the Cayman Islands to the claim that 10 DeVos-related vessels are registered there. This is factually inaccurate. Nine of the vessels listed as DeVos assets in a Wall Street Journal article are registered in the United States.

And finally, there is an assumption (albeit a more reasonable one) involved in the claim that registering Seaquest in the Cayman Islands allows its owner(s) to avoid paying taxes in the United States. Michigan state law allows for certain exemptions from the obligation to pay "use tax," and it cannot be said with certainty that Richard DeVos, the owner of Seaquest, did not meet the criteria for those exemptions.

The claim that the tax obligation allegedly being avoided amounts to $2.4 million is also based on an assumption about the price of the yacht itself, which is not known for certain.

Emery, David.  "Meet Betsy DeVos, Trump's Secretary of Education Nominee."     Snopes.com .   26 November 2016.

Kasprak, Alex.   "Dubious Conspiracy Theory Links Putin's Daughter to Russia-Trump Collusion."     Snopes.com .   24 July 2018.

MacGuill, Dan.   "Christian Non-Profit Faces Scrutiny Over Government Foster Care Contract for Separated Children."     Snopes.com .   11 July 2018.

Sirota, David.   "Forget Old Glory -- Why Betsy DeVos's Family Yacht and Others Fly Foreign Flags."     Capital & Main .   7 August 2018.

DeVos, Elisabeth P.   "Executive Branch Personnel, Public Financial Disclosure Report."     U.S. Office of Government Ethics .   19 January 2017.

Das, Anupreeta, and Jean Eaglesham.   "Look Inside the DeVos Family Office."     The Wall Street Journal .   8 November 2017.

Michigan Compiled Laws.   "Section 205.93 -- Use Tax Act."     Michigan Legislature .   Accessed 17 August 2018.

By Dan MacGuill

Dan Mac Guill is a former writer for Snopes.

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Update about that big yacht in Milwaukee — it's part of the Richard DeVos fleet

We have an update to Sunday's item about SeaQuest, the giant motor yacht docked in Milwaukee.

The boat doesn't belong to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her husband, Dick, but to his father, Richard DeVos, and his wife, Helen, according to a spokesman for Dick and Betsy's DeVos' Grand Rapids, Mich.-based private investment management firm.

Greg McNeilly, chief operating officer of Windquest Group, said many people confuse Richard, the co-founder of Amway, and his son Dick. He provided the original 2008 bill of sale for the boat, from the manufacturer to RDV International Marine Limited, and a document transferring the only other share in RDV to Richard M. DeVos years earlier.

Various sites that track the manufacture, sale and movements of so-called superyachts, list Dick and Betsy DeVos as its owner. When asked Sunday if Betsy DeVos was aboard the boat and planning any Wisconsin appearances, a Department of Education spokesperson said she was not and did not, that at some other family must be using the boat.

McNeilly said Monday that Betsy DeVos keeps an "iron curtain" between her duties as a member of President Donald Trump's cabinet and her private life, and that government officials in her department likely had no idea who actually owned the SeaQuest.

He said Dick and Betsy DeVos never bothered to try to correct other internet sites but reached out to the Journal Sentinel because many other news and opinion outlets were citing her supposed ownership of the yacht after Sunday's item.

RELATED: Changes in federal rules guiding university investigations of sexual assaults may be coming

RELATED: Schneider: DeVos brings due process back to campus

Websites that track yachts show the SeaQuest arrived in Milwaukee on Saturday and had spent last week at Harbor Springs, in the far northwestern corner of Michigan's lower peninsula.

According to several sites, the SeaQuest sleeps 12 guests in six cabins, and a crew of 12 in six more cabins. It was built by Westport in Port Angeles, Wash., and delivered to the DeVoses in 2008. It is registered in the Cayman Islands .

It was only the latest in a fleet of Westport yachts purchased over the years by Richard DeVos, 91, who has also owned a large racing sailboat. 

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You’ll never guess which billionaire US businessman has moored his luxury yacht in Greenock

The multi-million pound super-boat has raised eyebrows after mooring at the James Watt Dock

• By Connor Boylan
• Published : 10:15, 22 Jul 2017
• Updated : 10:54, 22 Jul 2017

A SUPERYACHT belonging to US billionaire Richard DeVos has found a new berth in Greenock.

The luxury Amaryllis has raised eyebrows after mooring at the James Watt Dock.

The multi-million pound boat is ranked 84 in the world in terms of size.

American businessman DeVos, 91, is believed to be the 205th wealthiest person on the planet.

Back in April, Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov caused a stir when his boat docked at the same spot .

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Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos' $40 Million Yacht Set Adrift and Damaged in Ohio

Betsy DeVos luxury yacht was set adrift from its port over the weekend causing thousands of dollars in damages

Betsy DeVos luxury yacht was set adrift from its port over the weekend potentially causing the secretary of education thousands of dollars in damages.

Secretary of education’s 163-foot yacht, Seaquest, was untied from the dock at the Huron Boat Basin in Ohio on Sunday and crashed into the dock, according to a police report obtained by the Toledo Blade .

Huron Police Chief Bob Lippert did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The captain of the yacht was who called the police and reported that he had discovered someone had purposely untied the Seaquest from the dock, the report said.

He and his crew were able to regain control of the ship, but not before it crashed into the dock.

Damages to the boat are estimated to be between $5,000 and $10,000, according to the report.

Lippert told CNN the yacht belonged to DeVos’ family and that the secretary of education was not in Huron, Ohio when the incident occurred.

Lippert told the outlet police were working to get video surveillance of what took place.

The Seaquest is just one of 10 boats owned by the DeVos family, according to ABC News . The yacht can comfortably hold up to 12 guests and 12 crew members at a time.

DeVos and her husband Richard DeVos have a reported combined net worth of $5 billion, according to the outlet.

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Betsy DeVos’ family yacht untied, set adrift in Ohio

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A luxury yacht owned by the family of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos suffered damage when someone untied it early Sunday in Ohio, sending it adrift on Lake Erie with the crew on board.

A crew member on the SeaQuest called police to report that he and other members awoke to find the yacht floating away from the dock. The crew managed to gain control of the vessel, but not before it scraped the dock. The yacht suffered $5,000 to $10,000 worth of damage, according to a Huron Police Department report.

Bob Lippert, chief of the Huron Police Department, said it is unclear whether the vandal knew the yacht belonged to the family of DeVos, whose controversial positions on education have made her the target of ire.

“If you had just walked by it, you wouldn’t know that,” Lippert said.

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But, he noted, the yacht’s arrival made headlines in Huron: “SeaQuest Yacht docks in Huron,” an article in the Sandusky Register read last week.

“The SeaQuest Yacht, famously owned by Betsy DeVos, the U.S. Secretary of Education, docked in Huron Friday,” the article began.

Lippert said it is possible the untying of the yacht happened without a target in mind. Tourists flock to bars nearby during summer.

“It’s quite possible that it was a random act by some late-night revelers,” the police chief said.

The Education Department did not respond immediately Thursday to a request for comment.

Before she became education secretary, DeVos, who has a residence in Michigan, spent three decades advocating for charter and private schools. The daughter of an auto parts manufacturer, she married Richard DeVos, an heir to the Amway fortune. DeVos flies on her own plane when on official travel.

Her positions have inspired protests at many of her engagements. Teachers unions have roundly rebuked her, and civil rights groups, disappointed in her moves to roll back protections for students, have assailed her.

At her first school visit, to a middle school in the District, protesters blocked her from entering the building and one appeared to lay a hand on her. Shortly thereafter, U.S. marshals began guarding the secretary rather than officers employed by the department.

The Huron police chief said that although nobody was injured Sunday, untying the boat could have caused far more damage if conditions had been different.

“Had the winds been different or more boat traffic, we could have had a bad situation with a collision or something of the sort,” Lippert said.

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Vandals set education secretary Betsy DeVos's $40m yacht free

The yacht, which was docked in Ohio, is one of at least 10 owned by the DeVos family

A $40m yacht, with no one at the helm, set adrift and leaving destruction in its wake: some might see it as an apt metaphor for the Trump administration. It’s also what happened over the weekend when the Seaquest, a superyacht owned by the US education secretary, Betsy DeVos, was reportedly untied from its dock by vandals in Huron, Ohio.

According to the Toledo Blade , the captain of the 165ft yacht called police early Sunday morning when they realized the boat had been unmoored and had struck the dock, causing an estimated $5,000 to $10,000 in damages.

It’s not clear that DeVos would have even noticed if it went missing. The yacht is one of at least 10 owned by the DeVos family, whose patriarch, Richard DeVos, the founder of the multi-level marketing giant Amway, is worth a reported $5.1bn.

Police are reviewing surveillance footage to try to determine who is at fault, and it’s not certain that the perpetrators knew the boat belonged to DeVos, but the list of potential suspects aggrieved by her policies could be large. DeVos is one of the richest and most controversial members of the administration. This week, she indicated her intent to roll back Obama-era loan forgiveness protections for students defrauded by for-profit colleges.

The potential act of vandalism against DeVos’s yacht followed the destruction of Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this week. And it follows a series of attempts by protesters around the country to harass members of the Trump administration in public. If smashing valuable things up is the next step for members of the resistance, they have their work cut out for them before they will make a real impact: Trump’s cabinet has a combined worth of at least $4bn.

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Amway heir Dick and Betsy DeVos move into sprawling 22,000-square-foot mansion

• Published: Sep. 08, 2010, 10:20 a.m.
• Shandra Martinez | [email protected]

Related story: Nancy Crawley: 22,000-square-foot DeVos mansion in Holland is cause for celebration, not scorn

HOLLAND -- Amway heir Dick DeVos and his wife, Betsy DeVos, moved into their new digs over Labor Day weekend.

For months, cars have slowed along South Shore Drive as gawkers have followed the construction of the DeVos home, the biggest house in Holland, if not Ottawa County.

"We are very excited with it," said Betsy DeVos, who grew up in Holland as the daughter of the late industrialist Edgar Prince. Her mother, Elsa Prince-Broekhuizen, owns a home a few doors down.

"As our family is continuing to grow, our hope is that it will be a gathering place for many generations," she said.

Their three-story vacation home sets a new standard for size and grandeur among the other million-dollar-plus mansions that line Lake Macatawa, a popular spot with access to Lake Michigan.

The stone and shingle house has 22,000 square feet of space. But if that's not enough room, there's a 6,200-square-foot guest house, plus a large infinity pool with a 700-square-foot pool house and three garages, according to city records.

THE DEVOS PROPOERTY: BEFORE & AFTER

PREVIOUS HOME ON THE SITE:

Owner: Richard and Helen DeVos Main house: 12,000 square feet Number of bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 8 1/2 Garage: 3-car Guest house: 1,100 square feet Value: $4.5 million

NEW HOME ON THE SITE:

Owner: Dick and Betsy DeVos Main house: 22,000 square feet Number of bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 5 full and 5 half-baths Garage: 3 buildings Guest house: 6,000 square feet Value: Still being assessed; building permits over $3 million

A long dock is all that remains of 1025 South Shore Drive from the days when DeVos' dad, billionaire and Amway co-founder Richard DeVos, owned his summer spot there. For more than 25 years, the 12,000-square-foot home -- with an 1,100-square-foot guest house -- was the biggest house in Holland.

The DeVoses bought the property after Rich DeVos put the house on the market for $4.5 million in 2007.

The younger DeVos wanted to keep it in the family for future generations. The elder DeVos moved nearby to Park Township, where he bought $6.2 million home overlooking Lake Michigan, close to daughter Cheri VanderWeide and her family.

So how much is Holland's biggest home worth?

The family paid a summer tax bill of more than $123,000 for the non-homestead property assessed during its construction at nearly $2.2 million. So far, building permits added up to about $3 million.

But real estate broker Andrea Crossman, who sells high-end waterfront property, said the mansion looks to be easily worth $10 million, possibly more.

Although some have complained the house dwarfs the other mansions along the Holland waterfront, Crossman said the property won't hurt housing values in this tony neighborhood.

The home's architect is the Grand Rapids firm Via Design, which oversaw renovation of downtown's River City Building next to the DeVos Place Convention Center. That building houses offices of the holding company for the Dick DeVos family investments.

Construction was handled by Scott Christopher Homes, a Grand Rapids firm known for its high-end residential construction.

But the house isn't exactly as envisioned. The city nixed requests to construct a view-obstructing 10-foot-high stone fence, permitting only three feet high, or to raise the pool house roof to 22-feet height instead of the allowed 12 feet.

The house features just three bedrooms along with 10 bathrooms, three kitchens, eight dishwashers, 13 porches and an elevator, according to city records.

While the city inspectors gave the family permission to occupy the main house recently, the guest house isn't completed and minor work needs to be done before a full occupancy permit will be issued.

Inspecting the home took a few hours, said Tony Meyaard, a property appraiser in the city Assessors Office.

Meyaard declined to go into specifics about the home's interior out of respect for the owners.

"It's very, very nice," Meyaard said. "I would like to live there."

E-mail Shandra Martinez: [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/shandramartinez

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After listing, DeVos family donates $550K racing yacht to New York academy

A racing sailboat owned by Doug DeVos and listed for sale on Tuesday was instead donated last month to a prestigious sailing academy in New York, according to the recipient. 

The 86-foot 2002 McConaghy Maxi 86 named Windquest was listed for sale Tuesday morning for $550,000, and indicated it was marked down earlier this month from an asking price of $700,000. By the afternoon, the listing had been removed . 

A broker for Thoroughbred Yacht Sales of West Palm Beach, Fla., which had the listing, confirmed Tuesday morning that the yacht was for sale. Later that afternoon, he said the boat had been donated and was no longer for sale. 

In the now-removed listing, the agent said the boat is located in Holland and "owned by one of the premier sailing families in the world, she has always been maintained by a full time Captain and rarely used more than three weekends a year."

Businessman and sailing champion Doug DeVos owned the vessel and donated it to Oakcliff Sailing Center, a non-profit sailing academy that hosts the US Sailing Team Training Center, according to Nick Wasmiller, communications director for RDV Corp., which manages the multibillion-dollar fortune of the multi-generational DeVos family. 

Doug DeVos is co-chairman of Ada-based health, beauty and home care product company Amway. His boat was previously posted for sale prior to the donation being made, said Wasmiller. 

DeVos is also the brother-in-law of U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

"Doug is a lifelong sailor and interested in encouraging the next generation to get involved with the sport," Wasmiller said in an email ."Doug’s interest also has prompted his support (along with Hap Fauth and Roger Penske) of the New York Yacht Club’s entry in the 36th America’s Cup, the world’s premier sailing competition, in 2021."

Dawn Riley, executive director of Oakcliff and a pioneer in the sport of sailboat racing, said DeVos pledged the boat in the fall of last year after visiting the center and learning about its training programs.

Starting next year, the Windquest, which will now be called the OC 86, will be used as a development training boat for those who are interested in marine-related careers.

“We’ll be using it quite a few years. There’s not too many opportunities for young people to sail on a boat that amazing,” Riley said.

The Windquest already has a prestigious history.  In 2015 , the Windquest took first place in the annual sailboat race from Chicago’s Navy Pier to northern Michigan’s Mackinac Island. Two years later , the boat was among 97 that had to withdraw from the race due to thunderstorms, damaging winds and high waves.

One year, the race even gave fans a video tour of the vessel.

clock This article was published more than  5 years ago

Someone untied Betsy DeVos’s yacht in Ohio. Damage ensued.

A yacht owned by the family of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos suffered damage when someone untied it early Sunday in Ohio, sending it adrift on Lake Erie with the crew on board.

A crew member on the SeaQuest called police to report that he and other members awoke to find the yacht floating away from the dock. The crew managed to gain control of the vessel, but not before it scraped the dock. The yacht suffered $5,000 to $10,000 of damage, according to a Huron Police Department report.

Bob Lippert, chief of the Huron Police Department, said it is unclear whether the vandal knew the yacht belonged to the family of DeVos, whose controversial positions on education have made her the target of ire.

DeVos assailed by protesters at college campuses in Boston, Washington

“If you had just walked by it, you wouldn’t know that,” Lippert said.

But, he noted, the yacht’s arrival made headlines in Huron: “SeaQuest Yacht docks in Huron,” an article in the Sandusky Register read last week.

“The SeaQuest Yacht, famously owned by Betsy DeVos, the U.S. Secretary of Education, docked in Huron Friday,” the article began.

Lippert said it is possible the untying of the yacht happened without a target in mind. Tourists flock to bars nearby during summer.

“It’s quite possible that it was a random act by some late-night revelers,” the police chief said.

The Education Department did not respond immediately Thursday to a request for comment.

Before she became education secretary, DeVos, who has a residence in Michigan, spent three decades advocating for charter and private schools. The daughter of an auto parts manufacturer, she married Richard DeVos, an heir to the Amway fortune. DeVos flies on her own plane when on official travel.

Her positions have inspired protests at many of her engagements. Teachers unions have roundly rebuked her, and civil rights groups, disappointed in her moves to roll back protections for students, have assailed her.

At her first school visit, to a middle school in the District, protesters blocked her from entering the building and one appeared to lay a hand on her. Shortly thereafter, U.S. marshals began guarding the secretary rather than officers employed by the department.

Betsy DeVos being guarded by U.S. Marshals Service

The Huron police chief said that although nobody was injured Sunday, untying the boat could have caused far more damage if conditions had been different.

“Had the winds been different or more boat traffic, we could have had a bad situation with a collision or something of the sort,” Lippert said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated where the yacht was set adrift. This story has been updated.

Elections Today

Recent projections, delegate tracker, recent election news, secretary of education betsy devos' $40 million yacht set adrift on lake huron.

The SeaQuest, a 164-foot luxury yacht, was untied at a marina in Ohio.

A $40 million yacht belonging to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos was untied from its mooring at a Lake Huron marina, police said.

The SeaQuest, a 164-foot luxury yacht, registered under a Cayman Islands flag, was set adrift at the Huron Boat Basin, where it was docked.

"Around sunrise the crew woke to find the boat had been untied from the dock and was adrift," according to a vandalism report filed Sunday by the Huron Police Department.

The crew was able to regain control, but not before the ship struck the dock, suffering several scratches and scrapes, the report said.

The captain estimated that the collision caused between $5,000-$10,000 in damages.

MORE: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos under fire for saying schools can report undocumented students

Investigators hope that nearby surveillance cameras may help them identify the person who untied the yacht.

The SeaQuest is one of a fleet of at least 10 boats owned by the DeVos family. The SeaQuest is staffed by a crew of twelve and, additionally, accommodates as many as twelve guests at a time.

DeVos has previously been criticized for her family’s wealth and holdings. She and her husband have a combined net worth of over $5 billion. Devos’ brother, Erik Prince, is the founder of Blackwater, a private military company that has faced scrutiny for its activities as a mercenary subcontractor for U.S. combat operations in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

MORE: Amid Mueller probe, Blackwater founder pitches mercenary takeover of Afghan War

DeVos’ press office did not respond to ABC News' request for comment.

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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Strange Glow Over Moscow Skies Triggers Panic as Explosions Reported

B right flashes lit up the night sky in southern Moscow in the early hours of Thursday morning, new footage appears to show, following reports of an explosion at an electrical substation on the outskirts of the city.

Video snippets circulating on Russian-language Telegram channels show a series of flashes on the horizon of a cloudy night sky, momentarily turning the sky a number of different colors. In a clip shared by Russian outlet MSK1.ru, smoke can be seen rising from a building during the flashes lighting up the scene.

Newsweek was unable to independently verify the details of the video clips, including when and where it was filmed. The Russian Ministry of Emergency situations has been contacted via email.

Several Russian Telegram accounts said early on Thursday that residents of southern Moscow reported an explosion and a fire breaking out at an electrical substation in the Leninsky district, southeast of central Moscow.

Local authorities in the Leninsky district told Russian outlet RBC that the explosion had happened in the village of Molokovo. "All vital facilities are operating as normal," Leninsky district officials told the outlet.

The incident at the substation in Molokovo took place just before 2 a.m. local time, MSK1.ru reported.

Messages published by the ASTRA Telegram account, run by independent Russian journalists, appear to show residents close to the substation panicking as they question the bright flashes in the sky. One local resident describes seeing the bright light before losing access to electricity, with another calling the incident a "nightmare."

More than 10 villages and towns in the southeast of Moscow lost access to electricity, the ASTRA Telegram account also reported. The town of Lytkarino to the southeast of Moscow, lost electricity, wrote the eastern European-based independent outlet, Meduza.

Outages were reported in the southern Domodedovo area of the city, according to another Russian outlet, as well as power failures in western Moscow. Electricity was then restored to the areas, the Strana.ua outlet reported.

The cause of the reported explosion is not known. A Telegram account aggregating news for the Lytkarino area described the incident as "an ordinary accident at a substation."

The MSK1.ru outlet quoted a local resident who speculated that a drone may have been responsible for the explosion, but no other Russian source reported this as a possible cause.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Moscow with long-range aerial drones in recent months, including a dramatic wave of strikes in late May.

On Sunday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the region's air defense systems had intercepted an aerial drone over the city of Elektrostal, to the east of Moscow. No damage or casualties were reported, he said.

The previous day, Russian air defenses detected and shot down another drone flying over the Bogorodsky district, northeast of central Moscow, Sobyanin said.

There is currently no evidence that an aerial drone was responsible for the reported overnight explosion at the electrical substation in southern Moscow.

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