Russian billionaire targets paparazzi
The world's largest private yacht features a laser system to sabotage photographersThe London-based Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich watched the launch of his latest superyacht, the 557 foot Eclipse, at the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Hamburg last week confident that it could be the last time paparazzi get a chance to take snaps of his new toy.
The huge 13,000 tonne yacht, now the largest privately owned vessel in the world, has been equipped with lasers that sweep the surrounding area and should they detect a CCD chip (the most common chip used in digital cameras), they fire a bolt of light at the camera to obliterate any photograph.
The anti-paparazzi shield is an addition to the missile-proof windows and other security measures already built into the yacht.
Along with the twin helipads, twin swimming pools and mini-submarine, they have pushed the price of the yacht to more than US$1.2 billion -- double the estimate when the plans were first drawn up four years ago.
The name is believed to be a boast, in that this yacht will 'eclipse' the largest and most luxurious megayachts ever conceived.
Eclipse was designed by Hermidas Atabeyki and the interiors are by Terrence Disdale. She has a steel hull and superstructure and should have a maximum speed of 25 knots.
She has accommodation for 62 guests and has a crew of 50. When her sea trials are complete, she will be registered in Bermuda.
Abramovich, who owns the Chelsea football team, has three other megayachts in his fleet -- Sussurro (a mere 161 feet), Ecstasea (282 feet) and Pelorus (377 feet).
Blohm and Voss hope to hand over Eclipse to Abramovich before the end of the year.
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