Steve Jobs' yacht tied up in payment dispute

An Oct. 30, 2012 file photo of a yacht commissioned by Apple founder Steve Jobs before his death, docked at the wharf of shipbuilding company Royal De Vries in Aalsmeer, Netherlands. / AP Photo/Peter Dejong

AMSTERDAM The sleek, white superyacht Apple founder Steve Jobs commissioned before his death cannot leave the Netherlands just yet due to a payment dispute.

Jobs collaborated on designing the 256-foot all-aluminum "Venus," which has a minimalist aesthetic, with French product designer Philippe Starck.

Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad reported Friday that Starck hired a debt collection agency and got a summary legal order to keep the boat from leaving.

Port of Amsterdam spokesman Jeroen Ranzijn confirmed the boat has been in the harbor since Dec. 8, and won't leave until the civil dispute is resolved - possibly as early later Friday.

"It was actually ready to continue its voyage when there was a dispute between two parties, including the heirs, and one party laid a claim on the boat," said Ranzijn.

He said the dispute may be resolved shortly.

According to the paper, Starck had only been paid 6 million euros ($7.9 million) by Job's heirs, but believed he was owed 9 million euros . The boat cost 105 million euros.

[ralphing]

Steve's wife has Zillion$ of dollars. The $3M they owe this guy is couch cushion money. It will cost $3M-5M in upkeep and crew money a year just to keep this boat. For the amount of money he paid to have it built, it's foolish to not pay the last amount to get it.