In February 2020, many media outlets wrote that the Microsoft co-founder spent more than $600 million on a unique “eco-friendly” yacht. We checked whether this purchase actually took place.
In winter, similar materials appeared even in reputable "RBC», Forbes And "Gazeta.ru». The authors of the notes have different assessments of how far the deal involving one of the richest people on the planet has progressed: some write that Gates “plans to purchase” the yacht, while others talk about an already accomplished fact. But all publications emphasize that the famous philanthropist Gates is ready to spend several hundred million dollars on a “completely environmentally friendly” yacht.
In the fall of 2019, the Dutch company Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design presented at the show in Monaco the concept of a unique yacht Aqua. The five-deck, 115 m long vessel boasts not only exquisite interiors designed by the best designers, but also a unique hydrogen engine. The yacht will sail through the sea thanks to liquid hydrogen converted into electrical energy, with the only byproduct of this process being water. A hydrogen engine will be able to ensure not only the movement of the ship over a distance of 4,000 miles, but also the operation of all systems on board. Aqua is also equipped with a helipad, swimming pool, spa, cinema, gym and other amenities.
The British tabloids, including The Guardian, Daily Mail And The Telegraph. An American publication shared the news with reference to British media. New York Post, German Der Spiegel, Australian ABC News and many others, including in Russia. The publications did not contain links to sources of information, but emphasized the billionaire’s passion for “green” energy.
On February 10, 2020, Sinot, which developed the yacht concept, published statement regarding the news. Media articles about the sale of Aqua are described in this statement as “factually incorrect.” The yacht’s creators also emphasize that neither this nor their other projects are in any way connected with Gates or his representatives, and work on creating a hydrogen-powered vessel is still ongoing.
In accordance with Sinot's wishes, the British publications that published the news either deleted their articles or added an agency statement to them and changed the headlines. Many other publications that referred to them did the same. Unfortunately, the Russian media that covered the “news” have not yet done this.
Fake
- https://sinot.com/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51446663
- https://www.theguardian.com/info/2020/feb/12/removed-article
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