Roman Abramovich – Eclipse September 29th, 2009
The 'Eclipse'
Absolutely love this. Well, from a technology perspective anyhow.
Roman Abramovich’s new luxury yacht, the Eclipse, has been installed with anti-paparazzi lasers according to recent press stories. The high-tech system on board sweeps the decks and surroundings and when it senses a CCD it fires a bolt of light directly into the lens to destroy any photo that is being taken, clever stuff. Apparently the system doesn’t run all of the time so friends and guests are still able to take photos, the system being switched on by guards if they spot photographers nearby. But hang on, isn’t that the job of the paparazzi to hide and take photos when you’re least expecting it? The jury is still out on the legalities of the system in some countries but I doubt that will bother him too much.
Other things reported to be built into the new 557 foot super yacht are two helipads, two swimming pools (but sadly no flumes…), 6 ft movie screens in all of the guest cabins (of which there are 24), a mini submarine and missile proof windows!
The reported cost is around £750 million which let’s face it is a little extravagant in the current climate, especially when you consider it is going to be the fourth mega yacht in his fleet, already owning: the 377 ft Pelorus, the 282 ft Ecstasea and the 160 ft Sussurro.
Somehow, I doubt I’ll be invited aboard anytime soon but if you are reading Roman, drop me a line.
