billionaire dennis washington yacht

Who Really Owns The Glory Days Boat?

• Last updated Sep 20, 2024
• Difficulty Beginner

• Category Boating, Pedalos and Punts

Dennis Washington, born in 1934, is an American billionaire with a passion for boats. He owns four luxury yachts, including the Attessa IV, which he bought from Chang Yung Fa, the chairman of Evergreen Shipping Line. Washington has spent a lot of time and money fixing up his yachts, and he admits that he can't part with any of them. In addition to his yachts, Washington also owns private jets, helicopters, and a large real estate portfolio. He is married to Phyllis and lives in Missoula, Montana.

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Dennis washington's background and career, the attessa iv yacht, washington's other yachts, washington's other assets, washington's philanthropy.

Dennis R. Washington is an American billionaire industrialist with a passion for boats. Washington was born in Spokane, Washington, in 1934 and grew up in a modest household in Missoula, Montana, and Bremerton, Washington, with short stints in California. His parents separated when he was very young, and he rarely saw his father, who worked in construction overseas. Washington became self-sufficient at 14, working various jobs to support himself. After graduating from high school, he moved to Alaska to pursue a career in heavy construction.

Two years later, Washington returned to Montana and joined his uncle's construction company. By the age of 26, he had become the vice president of the state's largest construction company. In 1964, at the age of 30, he took out a $30,000 loan to start his own business, Washington Construction, which primarily focused on highway contracts. Within five years, by 1969, his company had become the largest contractor in Montana. Washington continued to expand his business, branching into mining, dam construction, railroads, and marine services.

In 1986, Washington acquired a copper and molybdenum mine in Butte, Montana, which he successfully reopened, diversifying his business further. This success enabled him to venture into railroads, coastal shipping, aviation, and real estate. In 1996, Washington Construction merged with Morrison-Knudsen, creating Washington Group International, which soon became one of the largest design/build companies in the United States. The Washington Companies, his other private business venture, comprised over a dozen affiliated companies, including the largest privately-owned railroad and the largest marine transportation company in Canada.

Washington's passion for boats began in 1979 when he stepped onto his first boat at the age of 45. He bought his first boat, the Wanigan III, soon after and began his journey as a boat enthusiast. Over the years, he has owned and refurbished numerous vessels, including the Attessa IV, on which he spent a significant amount of time and money rebuilding. Washington's love for boats goes beyond mere ownership; he takes great pleasure in fixing up and restoring them to their former glory.

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The Attessa IV is a motor superyacht with an overall length of 300 feet (or 332 feet, according to another source). It was launched in 1999 by Evergreen Shipyard from Japan and is the largest yacht built by this shipyard. The yacht features exterior and interior design by Felix Buytendijk Yacht Design. It has a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure, powered by 2 Wärtsilä engines, giving it a top speed of 25 knots.

The Attessa IV can accommodate up to 18 guests in 10 suites and has a crew of 28, including the ship's captain. The guest deck offers commodious walk-around side decks and terraces, with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors to enjoy the surrounding views. The deck above the main deck provides access to alfresco dining spaces and sun pads.

The master suite on the Attessa IV exudes retro Hollywood glamour, featuring a marble fireplace, an opulent en suite, a separate dressing area, and sizeable leather chairs. One of the most notable features of the yacht is the Chihuly Lounge, named after a 7-foot chandelier purchased by the yacht's owner, Dennis Washington, at an exhibition in Venice in 1996. The chandelier is so impressive that it replaced the idea of having a sundeck, and instead, an enclosed superstructure with a dome 16 feet above floor level was created.

The lower decks of the Attessa IV offer a range of amenities for relaxation and rejuvenation, including a spa, massage room, sauna, gym, and a swim platform. The main deck features a cinema, lounge, and bar for guests to socialize and unwind. The yacht also has a helipad, a foredeck tender garage, and a new bow and stern, extended by 12 and 20 feet, respectively.

The Attessa IV is more than just a yacht to its owner, Dennis Washington, an American billionaire industrialist with a passion for boats. Washington has spent hundreds of millions of dollars and countless hours fixing up and renovating various vessels, including the Attessa IV, which he purchased in 2007 for $50 million and spent four years and $200 million renovating. Washington's love for boats is evident in his dedication to transforming the Attessa IV into the stunning and luxurious superyacht it is today.

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Dennis Washington, Montana's richest person, owns four yachts, including the quarter-billion-dollar Attessa IV. He is a self-made billionaire with a passion for boats, having spent hundreds of millions of dollars buying and restoring various vessels over several decades. Aside from the Attessa IV, Washington owns three other yachts, each with its unique characteristics and history.

One of his notable yachts is the St. Eval, formerly known as the Chieftain. This yacht was launched in 1930 and served as an operating tugboat under the British flag for 60 years, even escorting British warships during World War II. Washington purchased the St. Eval in 1992 and underwent extensive refitting and renovation. It was docked on Stuart Island, where Washington has a fishing camp, and is now mainly in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he built a private marina.

Another yacht in Washington's collection is the Impromptu, measuring 143 feet in length. Previously called the Daedalus, it was once owned by beer magnate August Busch and later served as Boeing's corporate yacht. Washington acquired it knowing that it had been sprayed with asbestos, but he was determined to restore it.

Washington also has a special connection with the name "Attessa" for his yachts, having owned four yachts with this name. He chose this name as it reminded him of a beautiful woman. He currently owns two Attessa yachts, both giant Feadship yachts, which are his favourites. One of them is the Attessa III, which he rescued after it caught fire in the Red Sea. He spent about $50 million and 36 months working alongside a crew to restore and modify the yacht, adding features like an extra deck and a helicopter pad.

In addition to his yacht collection, Washington also has a fishing camp on Stuart Island and a private marina in Vancouver, showcasing his love for the ocean and boating lifestyle.

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Dennis Washington is a billionaire with a vast portfolio of assets. He is the sole owner of the Washington Companies, a conglomerate with eight main subsidiaries, headquartered in Missoula, Montana, but operating across the United States and Western Canada.

Washington's assets include mining, waste remediation, shipyards, and railroads. In 2022, the company sold 900 miles of railroad track for $2 billion. He also has a major stake in Seaspan, a marine corporation with over 100 vessels. Seaspan operates shipyards, ferries, tugboats, and barges, primarily in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In addition to his business holdings, Washington owns several private jets and helicopters, including a Boeing 737 business jet, a Eurocopter EC135, and a BAE Hawker 800. He also has a large real estate portfolio, including a private estate on Stuart Island, British Columbia, with a fishing lodge and golf course, and a large house in Palm Desert, California, valued at around $86 million.

Washington is a yacht enthusiast, having owned several luxury yachts over the years, including the Attessa IV, the Blohm and Voss AV, the Evergreen yacht Attessa IV, and the ocean-going tug-turned-yacht, St. Eval. He has a passion for fixing up boats and has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on his yacht collection.

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Philanthropy in Washington takes many forms, from supporting the arts to helping small businesses and beyond.

The Catalogue for Philanthropy in Washington, D.C., for example, is focused on raising the profiles of small charities and connecting them with donors. The Catalogue for Philanthropy specifically highlights small nonprofits that are creating positive change in the Greater Washington area. Similarly, Philanthropy Northwest, which covers Washington state, aims to strengthen community philanthropy and incubate innovation. They also have a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, with specific programs for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in the philanthropy space.

In addition to these initiatives, individuals in Washington also contribute to philanthropy through their passions. For example, billionaire Dennis Washington, who made his fortune in mining, construction, and freight transportation, is known for his passion for boats. He has spent hundreds of millions of dollars buying and restoring vessels, including a quarter-billion-dollar yacht. Washington's dedication to his hobby has led him to purchase and renovate multiple yachts, including one previously owned by Julie Andrews and another featured in the film "Overboard."

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Frequently asked questions.

Dennis R. Washington is an American billionaire industrialist who owns or co-owns a large consortium of privately held companies collectively known as the Washington Companies. He is also the proud owner of four luxury yachts, including the Attessa IV, which he spent a quarter of a billion dollars and 40 months rebuilding.

The Attessa IV was originally built as the Evergreen for Chang Yu-fa, chairman of the Evergreen Shipping Line. It was delivered in 1999 and bought by Dennis Washington in 2007. The yacht underwent a massive 3.5-year reconstruction, with the bow, stern, and superstructure redesigned and a new interior layout installed.

The Attessa IV boasts a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, powered by two Wärtsilä diesel engines. It has a top speed of 22.6 knots and a cruising speed of 21 knots, with a range of over 6,000 nautical miles. The yacht can accommodate up to 28 guests, with a crew of 21.

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Attessa IV Superyacht: A Closer Look At Billionaire Dennis Washington’s Luxurious Refit

Image: DMARGE/BOAT

For billionaires, owning a superyacht is a symbol of their wealth and proof of their refined taste in luxury, and while some prefer custom-built vessels, billionaire  Dennis Washington exemplifies a different approach by transforming pre-existing yachts into unique masterpieces, as seen with the 332-foot-long Attessa IV .

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In this Attessa IV Superyach t Story

Attessa iv quick facts, from machinery operator to billionaire: the dennis washington story, attessa iv’s transformation journey, a family-oriented floating paradise, luxurious guest deck with stunning ocean views, engineering marvels and stunning details, owner’s suite: a blend of 19th-century elegance and modern luxury, attessa iv : power and speed with twin wartsila engines.

Washington started his career as a machinery operator in Alaska and also in construction with his uncle. Later, he borrowed $30,000 to start his own company, which became Washington Companies, with interests spanning construction, mining, railroads, copper, and shipping, making him one of the wealthiest men in America.

Known for his hands-on approach and business acumen, he has developed a reputation as a self-made tycoon who transformed small regional companies into major players in their respective fields. According to  Bloomberg , the 90-year-old billionaire has a $7.6 billion net worth.

Attessa IV, which was first built in 1999 for Chang Yung-fa, chairman of the Taiwanese Evergreen Group, has undergone an incredible transformation capturing the extravagant way of life of the super-wealthy.

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Washington paid $50 million USD for the yacht in 2007 and started an ambitious renovation project. It took three years to complete major structural changes, and interior remodels that allowed the original 298-foot vessel to be stretched to its current impressive length.

To bring Washington’s vision to life, $200 million USD was spent, and a team of 225 workers—ten of whom were engineers—devoted an estimated one million man-hours .

The Attessa IV was redesigned as the ideal family boat, with hallways and doors removed to make the boat feel more spacious and welcoming. The yacht now contains luxurious features, including a 12-seat cinema, an impressive spa, and a state-of-the-art gym.

A dining room, library, and saloon were given up, along with four staterooms, to make room for these additions on this deck.

One of the many magnificent features of the Attessa IV is its grand entrance area and incredible central circulation. Another one of its features is its hypnotic staircase that spirals through six decks, split into pairs of semi-circles divided by a fore and aft passageway, creating a landing and foyer at each level.

Above the main deck, known as the “guest deck,” there are four large suites that offer stunning ocean views, luxurious amenities, and unparalleled comfort for all guests on board. Other features include a library, saloon, and dining room.

In addition to these, the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors of the guest deck are complemented by three Botero sculptures and provide access to breathtaking views. Moreover, the superyacht’s top on the sundeck has a pool with a shallow section for children. In 2012,  Bill Gates enjoyed a family holiday aboard Attessa IV in Belize.

The Attessa IV’s renovation involved extensive engineering work; its bow and stern were extended by 12 feet and 20 feet, respectively. Re-bedding engines, relocating fuel tanks, and improving the overall structural integrity were among the engineering modifications made to turn it into a secure retreat with a Kevlar-lined steel hull.

The yacht now also consists of a helicopter landing pad and hangar. This is a rare feature even among superyachts. The Attessa IV has been meticulously designed down to the last detail, from remote-controlled room systems to Gucci stainless steel lounge chairs arranged throughout the different decks.

The suite belonging to the owner of the yacht is a wonder in itself. It has a 19th-century English fireplace with statuary marble and a sitting room decorated with sapele joinery, leather chairs, as well as a 19th-century French, Louis XV-style fireplace designed with verde marble.

The inside of the yacht is furnished with well-crafted materials, including sapele joinery and leather chairs. Historical fireplaces and a calm colour scheme make the interior even more beautiful, connecting it to the private decks outside.

The yacht has nine staterooms that can accommodate up to 18 guests and quarters for 28 crew members. Its bulletproof glass windows and Kevlar reinforcement for the steel hull and aluminium superstructure ensure both security and luxury.

The Attessa IV can reach a top speed of 25 knots while cruising at 18 knots thanks to its twin diesel Wartsila 6,595hp engines.

Currently listed for sale at $164 million USD, the Attessa IV is a prime example of the transformation of the superyacht industry, combining unparalleled luxury, engineering expertise and history into one exquisite vessel.

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Shoe shiner turned billionaire Dennis Washington’s $200 million superyacht Attessa IV is a 300 feet long art deco-styled marvel with Gucci chairs, a one-of-a-kind chandelier, a spectacular spa, and a helipad.

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Humongous $200M superyacht arrives in Vancouver

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A 95-metre superyacht priced at $200 million was spotted cruising through False Creek before docking in North Vancouver. 

Attessa V Yacht was built in 2010 by Blohm and Voss, a German shipbuilding and engineering company. It arrived in Vancouver on Tuesday and moved over to a dock in North Vancouver on Wednesday morning.

AV can entertain 24 guests in 12 rooms and has a crew of 33 people. It features a large swimming pool on the deck, a private movie theatre and a jet pool jacuzzi. 

The superyacht was designed by Michael Leach Design and soars in ’speed and style.’

It costs $10 to $20 million per year to run the yacht.

Website SuperYacht.com lists the owner of the AV as Dennis Washington, an 88-year-old American billionaire whose net worth is listed at US$6.4 billion and is ranked number 397 in Forbes' richest people in the world . 

Washington, from Montana, claims to be ‘self-made’ and owns a copper mining, marine transportation and heavy equipment business, according to Forbes. He is married with two children. In an interview with Forbes.com, Washington said his passion is boats. 

Washington’s network of companies includes Washington Marine Group and Seaspan Shipyards in North Vancouver, where Kyle Washington, Dennis Washington’s son, is executive chairman.

The AV Yacht was previously known as Palladium and is listed as an award-winning superyacht.  It was previously owned by Mikhail Prokhorov, a Russian oligarch and previous owner of the Brooklyn Nets. The yacht drew attention when The Late Show host Stephen Colbert visited Prokhorov on the yacht. 

Superyachts flocking to Vancouver Island

Superyachts flock to B.C. every year. One recently drew attention in B.C.’s capital when a Brazilian billionaire docked in Victoria. 

The 62-metre-long vessel called the Anawa was docked at Ship Point on May 30, clad with its own helicopter on deck. 

Billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann owns the yacht, according to Superfanyacht.com. Forbes.com says the investor-philanthropist lives in Switzerland and is worth $14.8 billion.

Anawa was custom-designed and built in 2020 by Damen Yachting. It’s one of the company’s SeaXplorer class of vessels, billed as “long-range, luxury expedition” yachts.

It can carry 12 guests and 15 crew plus a captain, Damen said.

Back in 2020, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones's yacht was spotted in the  waters off Vancouver Island . The "Bravo Eugenia" is worth an estimated quarter-billion dollars.

The superyacht is designed to use 30 per cent less fuel than other vessels of its size and class but it doesn't skimp on amenities. The "Bravo Eugenia" can accommodate 14 guests and 30 crew members and features six guest suites, a beach lounge, spa and gym.

On Tuesday, the AV Yacht wasn’t the only yacht drawing attention. A 32-metre vessel called the Snowbored was passing through False Creek  with the final destination of Galiano Island. 

The Snowbored, built by Westport in 2003, is a 32-metre vessel with a satin cherry wood interior, and a sundeck sporting a hot tub, wet bar, and lounge pads. It also has a fighting chair and rocket launcher for sport fishing, and can launch a Novurania tender and Yamaha waverunners.

In a statement to Glacier Media, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority says anyone wishing to view the Attessa V in Vancouver's inner harbour area by boat "is urged to ensure they do so from a safe distance." "We love seeing boaters and paddlers out enjoying the waters that make up the Port of Vancouver," says Jason Krott, manager of marine operations and fleet. "Our focus is working with all users to build the awareness and understanding needed to support a safe shared space for recreational and commercial traffic."

To see the inside of the AV superyacht, visit the designer's website .  

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Superyacht “Attessa IV” For Sale

• By Yachting Staff
• January 1, 2024

Merle Wood & Associates has listed the 332-foot Attessa IV for sale at an asking price of more than $164 million. It’s a yacht with a storied history as one of the most significant rebuilds ever undertaken in the global yachting community.

Until 2007, this same yacht was known as the 298-foot Evergreen , built by a commercial shipyard in Japan. American billionaire Dennis Washington—whom Forbes described as having had an early love of machinery, and who turned a $30,000 loan into companies focused on shipbuilding, railroads, demolition, mining and more—took notice when the owner wanted to sell.

But the idea wasn’t to use the yacht in anything remotely resembling its original form. Washington wanted a total rebuild from the tender garage to the foredeck, gutting everything from the main deck up, and totally reconfiguring the vessel for use as a private yacht more in keeping with what’s expected in regions such as the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

The rebuild, undertaken in Vancouver, Canada, was completed in 2010. Accommodations on Attessa IV are now for as many as 18 guests in nine staterooms. The master includes his and hers dressing rooms, a private office, a private salon, private outdoor dining and a private deck for arriving and departing by helicopter. That helipad is in addition to a second, touch-and-go helipad that is located on the yacht’s bow.

Onboard amenities include a spa with a beauty salon, massage, a steam room and a gym. The beach club abaft the gym has a hot tub and seating area, while up top on the sundeck, there’s a pool with a shallow section for children. The main deck includes a cinema, and there’s an elevator for guests to access the lower deck through the sky lounge.

The yacht also has quarters for 28 crew. And, just in case extra security is a concern, Attessa IV is built to be bulletproof. The yacht has a Kevlar-lined steel hull and superstructure, along with windows built of bulletproof glass.

Attessa IV is built to be a world cruiser, with a reported range of more than 7,000 nautical miles. Top speed is listed as 25 knots, and draft is a hair over 15 feet. The diesel power plants are by Wartsila.

Where is Attessa IV located for showings? The yacht is currently in the area of Cabo, Mexico.

Take the next step: contact sales broker Merle Wood at merlewood.com

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Who is Dennis Washington? The billionaire who almost bought Ekati mine, again

In the first 3 months of the pandemic, his net worth grew by 13%.

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Dennis Washington, 86, is the wealthiest man in Montana, with a net worth of $6.1 billion US. 

He is the majority interest owner of The Washington Companies, which made a $166 million offer on the N.W.T. 's troubled Ekati Diamond Mine in September. The owner, Dominion Diamond Mines, went into creditor protection in April, saying the COVID-19 pandemic had essentially shut down the diamond industry.

Though Washington's multi-million dollar offer is now a dead deal , CBC News took a look at the billionaire's lengthy business background.

In the first three months of the pandemic Washington's net worth has grown by 13 per cent from $5.5 billion US to $6.2 billion US, states a June 24 news release from Americans for Tax Fairness.

• In Depth Tax breaks may have been at the heart of dead deal for Ekati mine

Profiles of Washington describe him as a self-made billionaire who started out selling newspapers as a teenager and became one of America's most powerful industrialists. 

His portfolio includes a " significant ownership " in Seaspan ULC, through The Washington Companies, which are involved in rail and marine transport, construction and mining, heavy equipment, aviation and real estate development, states the Seaspan website.

His largest asset is Montana Rail Link, reports Bloomberg .

Washington has a hobby refurbishing boats, including one 332-foot luxury yacht named Attessa IV. It recently docked in B.C. for some repairs and flies the Cayman Island flag . 

His business with mines

Washington got his start in the construction business in 1964, according to the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation. 

In the 1980s, he revived a floundering copper pit mining operation in Butte, and Montana Resources now produces up to 80 million pounds of copper a year and spends $74 million on payroll tax and purchases every year.

Although metal prices have tumbled because of the pandemic, the mine is still in operation . 

He also held mining interests in the state, which he sold or leased to a group of three businessmen who in 1998 were convicted in an offshore investment scam that cheated investors and enriched the executives by $100 million US. 

Washington's interests in the N.W.T.

The N.W.T. government says it is hopeful the purchase of Ekati will get northerners back to work. 

Recently, Dominion Diamond has fired some of the mine's workers , ending their benefits and pension contributions, and withholding information on severance pay. 

Of Ekati's 634 Canadian workers, 40 per cent are northerners (253 people) and within that northern workforce, 151 people are Indigenous. In 2019, it employed 425 contract workers — 150 of them northerners. 

In 2017, The Washington Companies bought all shares in Dominion Diamond Inc. for a total of $1.2 billion US with a $550 million US bond from creditors. 

That purchase represented a 44 per cent premium on Dominion's share price before the merger was announced. 

In 2018, the union representing workers at Ekati accused Dominion of " union busting " by threatening to lay off 150 unionized employees and replace them with contractors. 

The pandemic slowed business down, and in April Dominion was unable to meet a $20-million US interest payment on that bond The Washington Companies used to buy the company.

Filing for creditor protection put Ekati's financial situation on clear display through an affidavit by Dominion's chief financial officer, Kristal Kaye.

There are only two secured creditors for the mine — Credit Suisse AG, a branch located in the Cayman Islands is owed $221 million and Wilmington Trust in Delaware is owed $784 million CDN, a May 5 creditor listing for Dominion shows. 

Dominion Diamond Holdings, a limited liability company, was incorporated in Delaware on Nov. 15, 2019. Its sole shareholder is Washington Diamond Investments, a company controlled by The Washington Companies, court documents show. 

That deal is opposed by Dominion creditors, who say the mine's assets are devalued because of the pandemic. 

Donations to youth, education, Trump

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization receiving contributions from The Washington Companies and Washington family. It is focused on philanthropy for youth and education. 

• Dominion Diamond owes N.W.T. businesses $13.2M — and there's no guarantee they'll get paid
• N.W.T. government hoping Ekati deal will lead to reopening of mine

"By influencing young people during their formative years and providing opportunity for personal advancement through education, Dennis and Phyllis hope to create a positive and lasting impact on our culture and society," the website reads. 

Washington and his wife Phyllis are also generous donors to Donald Trump's re-election campaign — giving him $1 million since the 2016 campaign.

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• Bid accepted to exit creditor protection and restart Ekati Diamond Mine

News | It’s a cruise ship…no, a billionaire’s mega…

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News | It’s a cruise ship…no, a billionaire’s mega yacht

/ Diane Bell

Diners at Bertrand at Mister A's had this view of super yacht Attessa IV in San Diego's harbor June 4 and 5. The luxury mega yacht is owned by billionaireDennis Washington.

/ Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation website

Dennis and Phyllis Washington are generous philanthropists and created a foundation in their name to support educational and other causes.

Sharon LeeMaster

/ Spirit of Liberty Foundation

The Freedom Bell was christened in a ceremony at historic Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pa. on Flag Day in 2013.

K.C. Alfred

San Diego Sockers Kraig Chiles heads the ball against Detroit in the PASL Championship.

Diners at Bertrand at Mister A's had this view of super yacht Attessa IV in San Diego's harbor June 4 and 5. The luxury mega yacht is owned by billionaireDennis Washington.

It’s the 332-foot Attessa IV, belonging to industrialist billionaire Dennis Washington .

He’s the Montana-based founder of the Washington Companies and a long-time San Diego visitor. His $150 million yacht, described as “one of the most exquisite” by Forbes.com, has been a frequent sight at the Kona Kai Marina on Shelter Island.

On June 4, however, the yacht was all decked out for a party. Washington’s invitees celebrated the 90th birthday of Bill McComas , a part-time resident of Rancho Santa Fe. McComas is one of the founders of IGT ( International Gaming Technologies), a firm dominating the poker video gaming machine market.

In the interest of trivial pursuit, Washington’s predecessor Attessa yacht, although it bore a different name, was used the 1987 film “Overboard” starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell . That Attessa also appeared in the 1993 movie “Indecent Proposal” with Robert Redford and Demi Moore.

Helping hand: Sharon LeeMaster , the voice for numerous local not-for-profit organizations, fell and broke her wrist the other evening. Despite her pain, she kept an appointment the following morning to deliver donated Padres ballgame tickets to the San Diego Madres for its fundraiser.

While there, a kindly member of the Madres volunteered to help her while she is on the mend. “Could I come by and read to you, or do whatever you need?” queried Dorothy Yonimitsu .

The age of the lady so generously offering her services? 98.

Busy as a bell: The local Spirit of Liberty Foundation’s America’s Freedom Bell traveled to the World War II monument in Washington, D.C., for Memorial Day. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter rang the huge bronze bell, which resembles the Liberty Bell, as did thousands of other attendees.

After the ceremony, the bell rode on a float in the Memorial Day parade then was bundled up and flown to France for the international observance of D-Day in Normandy on June 5 and 6.

The bell was originally cast on June 6, 2013. It bears the symbols of all the branches of the Armed Forces and contains metal from the Twin Towers destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Good sports: Soccer player Kraig Chiles was honored as San Diego’s 2016 “Sports Man of the Year” at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Stealing some of the San Diego Sockers star’s spotlight, however, was his “date” at the Taste 4 Sports event — Chiles’ 2-year-old daughter.

Perennial attendee Bill Walton was unable to be at the celebration this year but his presence was felt nonetheless — a dinner with the hoops star was auctioned for more than $400.

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Fatal collision involving billionaire's yacht under investigation

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a fatal collision that occurred in late October between a 332-foot yacht owned by Montana billionaire Dennis Washington and a 65-foot fishing boat that resulted in the death of a man and an injury to another.

The Attessa IV collided with the commercial fishing boat Prowler near San Diego on Oct. 26, according to the Coast Guard. The Attessa had contacted them about 7:50 p.m. about the collision that occurred about 9 miles offshore of Imperial Beach and near the maritime boundary line. There were 29 people aboard the two vessels, officials said.

Washington, founder of the Washington Cos. and owner of Montana Rail Link, was not on the Attessa IV at the time. Nor were any family members, Forbes.com reported.

A Coast Guard helicopter and two boats responded. The crew of a response boat transferred 17 passengers from the Prowler and took them to San Diego. Two injuries were reported on the Prowler.

The man who died, Richard Neff, 66, of San Clemente, California, had been airlifted off the boat and pronounced dead at a San Diego hospital from head trauma, officials said. Neff was a retiree who had worked 40 years in construction.

The Prowler sustained extensive damage to its starboard quarter, the Coast Guard reported. The captain of the Prowler remained with the boat, awaiting commercial salvage. The Coast Guard cutter Sea Otter stayed with him, officials said. 

The Attessa returned to San Diego with 10 passengers, the Coast Guard said.

A Coast Guard official said Thursday the investigation could take six months to a year to complete.

Washington Cos. Executive Vice President Tim McHugh said Thursday he was unable to comment at length as the incident is still be investigated by the Coast Guard and they are awaiting results.

"We are cooperating fully," he said, adding they also wanted more details as to what transpired.

The Missoula-based Washington Cos. website says its companies focus on marine and rail transportation, mining, heavy equipment distribution, environmental remediation and aviation technology and service.

Forbes lists Washington as "Montana's richest person" and puts his net worth at $5.9 billion. It also states he and his wife, Phyllis, have given $840 million to their foundation, which in turn has given about $300 million to nearly 1,000 groups.

The website Super Yacht Fan says the Attessa, originally built as Evergreen for Evergreen Shipping Line founder Chang Yu-fa, was “delivered” in 1999. It was sold to Washington in 2007, underwent 3½ years of renovation, and has a value of $150 million. It can accommodate 28 guests and has a crew of 21. 

More: Billionaires park their yachts in front of the Statue of Liberty and people aren't happy

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