Research Expedition Vessel
Thankfully, the world's biggest, heaviest yacht won't be sentenced to carrying around the uber-rich. Instead, the construction of the Research Expedition Vessel is being funded by a one-percenter. Kjell Inge Røkke is partnering with the WWF and donating a significant portion of his fortune to building the 596-foot ship, which, once completed, will be able to carry 60 scientists and 40 crew as it sails the oceans, researching ways to keep them safe while picking up plastic pollution. The vessel will also house two helipads, laboratories, an auditorium, a remotely operated vehicle, and autonomous submarine, and high-tech monitoring equipment. It's expected to set sail in summer 2020, using a variety of advanced technology to ensure that it's not making the problems it looks to solve even worse.