Monday, October 6, 2008

Overkill?


The 'Money can't buy everything' post from August 11th mentioned that an unnamed Russian oligarch had just purchased the Villa Leopolda from the widow of Edmond Safra for an amazing $745 million. At the time there was speculation that the buyer might be Roman Abramovich. For the record, he denied this.

However, now Abramovich has made a big splash - not satisfied with his current stable of yachts (the 282-foot Ecstasea, the 377-foot Pelorus, and the 163-foot Sussuro) he is having a new 550-footer built. Apparently it is to be called the Eclipse, and besides being one of the world's largest private yachts, it will boast a complement of security features, including:
  • A missile detection system
  • Bulletproof windows and armor plating
  • An escape submarine
  • Two helipads
  • A crew that includes former SAS and Special Boat Service members...