Its not obstruction of justice but it is obstruction of Liberty. <\/p>\n
A Russian-born billionaire has been parking his mega-yacht in front of the Statue of Liberty for the past two months and seafarers say its blocking cherished views of the symbol of freedom. <\/p>\n
Its the peoples statue versus a persons private boat, said Roland Lewis, president of the Waterfront Alliance, a nonprofit that works to protect the areas shores. That boat is right there obstructing the parade of excursion boats that go out there to visit the statue. <\/p>\n
The yacht, Le Grand Bleu, is owned by Russian-American oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler, who got it as a gift from his friend Roman Abramovich, a Russian oligarch and pal of President Vladimir Putin. At 370 feet, it is one of the worlds largest private yachts. <\/p>\n
The boat first dropped anchor in front of Lady Liberty on April 17 and spent two weeks there before retreating to Gravesend Bay for May. It returned in June and has since spent most of the month ruining tourists photos. <\/p>\n
Its depressing. You dont see things blocking freedom and justice in America, said Craig Mahoney, 41, a visitor from Massachusetts trying to view the statue from the Staten Island Ferry. <\/p>\n
The spot is a legal anchorage, but harbor regulars say yachts usually stay for just a day or two. <\/p>\n
Ive been on New York Harbor for 50 years, and Ive never seen a mega-yacht anchored for such a long period of time, said Jim Chambers, a ship captain. My take is theyre just reducing the operating costs by anchoring rather than paying for dockage. <\/p>\n
It reportedly costs thousands of dollars a day to dock at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. <\/p>\n
One sailor spotted a woman sipping coffee on the boats swim platform as it faced the statue. <\/p>\n
I was just like, Oh, my god. You have a private patio in front of the Statue of Liberty where your multitude of servants brings you coffee, the mariner said. <\/p>\n
The Coast Guard usually wont order boats to move unless they are creating an unreasonable obstacle, a spokesman said. <\/p>\n
Shvidler was born in Russia and became a US citizen in 1994. Attempts to reach him for comment were not successful. <\/p>\n
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Russian billionaire's yacht ruining tourists' pics of Lady Liberty - New York Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Its not obstruction of justice but it is obstruction of Liberty. A Russian-born billionaire has been parking his mega-yacht in front of the Statue of Liberty for the past two months and seafarers say its blocking cherished views of the symbol of freedom. Continue reading