This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Erik Prince.
HURON, Ohio — A boat owned by the family of U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos was vandalized over the weekend while moored at a Huron dock, according to the Huron Police Department.
The Seaquest was moored at the Huron Boat Basin, 330 Main St., according to a police report. The captain of the 163-foot yacht, worth a reported $40 million, called police at about 6 a.m. Sunday, telling them that he and the crew realized at sunrise that someone had untied Seaquest from the dock, setting it adrift.
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The crew eventually got control of the yacht, but not before it struck the dock, causing an estimated $5,000 to $10,000 in damage from large scratches and scrapes, according to the police report.
Officers were searching for surveillance video that may show who untied the yacht.
Betsy DeVos was born into wealth, and also married into wealth. She's the daughter of Edgar Prince, whose Prince Corporation was incredibly successful. Her brother is Erik Prince, notorious for his ownership of controversial private military contractors.
She married Richard DeVos, Jr., whose father started the Amway corporation, a multi-level marketing company. They are consistently ranked some of the richest people in the world.
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The Seaquest, according to a number of profiles in national publications, is one of 10 boats owned by the family. It is registered to RDV International Marine LTD., according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection database.
That company is at the same location as RDV Corporation, the company that manages the DeVos family's wealth.
According to superyachtfan.com, the SeaQuest can accommodate 12 guests and 12 crew members.
Ms. DeVos was in northwest Ohio earlier this month to tour the Penta Career Center as well as the Lucas County Correctional Treatment program. Her selection and tenure as secretary of Education has been harshly criticized by public school advocates, as she’s been a major funder of the ”school choice” movement.
It’s unclear why the yacht was in Huron. A message left with an RDV Corporation representative was not returned. A message left with officials from the City of Huron, which owns Huron Boat Basin, was also not returned.
First Published July 25, 2018, 2:53 p.m.
