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$500 million yacht to match the half-billion dollar plane

by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) on Jun 14th 2009 at 8:00AM

A few days back we posted a story about a custom built Airbus A380 that was being built for Saudi prince al-Waleed bin Talal. With a steam room, a Turkish bath, and a concert hall (complete with baby grand piano), not to mention a full garage for the prince's Rolls Royce, the plane clocked in at a cool half-billion dollars. Not to be outdone by this lavish vehicle, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has ordered a new Yacht that, when completed next year, will be the largest, and most expensive, private ship ever built.

The new ship is named the Eclipse and comes equipped with two helipads, an onboard luxury spa, swimming pool, and a mini submarine designed to work as an escape pod should the need arise. The 557-foot boat even has its own missile defense system and bullet proof windows, while the master cabin is surrounded in armor plating.

The Eclipse will only be the newest addition to Abramovich's navy when it hits the high seas next year. He already has three other yachts, but they only range in size from 161 to 377 feet. Clearly he needed something larger. Experts believe that this newest vessel was designed with the intent of overshadowing, eclipsing if you will, the 525-foot yacht owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the leader of Dubai. And what does this wonderful new ship cost? Approximately $495 million.

Lets see. Russian businessman? Check! Massive private yacht equipped with missile system? Check! Seems like we have our villain for the next James Bond movie.

Gallery: Super Airbus A380

Gallery: Airbus 380 VIP Saloon

Filed under: Europe, Russian Federation, Transportation

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

benderillo Jun 15th 2009 1:15PM

It looks like it was launched last Friday.

http://yachts.monacoeye.com/files/blohm_voss_eclipse.php

Gordon Jun 16th 2009 8:04AM

Again, YOUR BAILOUT DOLLARS AT WORK! Those sheiks said they wanted oil at $70 a barrel. Well, they got it, and see what they're doing with it. Wait, oil will be back up over $100 pretty soon now. And all this made possible to OUR BAILOUT DOLLARS.

Brian Jun 16th 2009 8:19AM

You have no idea why the oil prices are going up do you?

About 2 weeks ago, an article was out talking about how a refinery of the USA's was on the fritz in the gulf coast. The oil is coming in at one price, and it is getting jacked up due to extra expenses (longer hours for one refinery, etc.)

Don't make large rationalized statements without solid information to back them up.

knowledge Jun 16th 2009 10:22AM

You have to much trust in your government. There is NO WAY oil should be at $100 a barrel seeing how exxon-mobil and others are producing record profits. One refinery in the US which probably exports most of its oil has no effect on oil prices in this country. Get your head out of your ass and look at the big picture and see how the government is milking the middle and lower class in an effort to eventually diminish populations to a number they can easily control. The only thing left for them to take is our freedom of speech.

Roderick Jun 16th 2009 10:48AM

This is what happens when people use big-ass SUV's and other vehicles that consume too much gas in order to get to where they're going...

Of course, oil people can charge what they want because consumers continue to consume it regardless of the price...

American car makers got to stop making gas guzzlers/behemoth vehicles... Is it really necessary?..

Hugh Jun 16th 2009 11:44AM

Gordon, your stupid is showing. Now put that away before someone's brain gets hurt. Nitwit.

anthony Jun 16th 2009 10:10AM

OK WE HAVE A PROBLEM mission control:
1) We Can produce enough of oil in our waters that have not been scearched enough, also stop buying oil for awhile and make it on what we have for awhile.
2) Take the countries out that have the oil we need like IRAQ, IRAN, Hell Take out Venaz. as well.
3) We have an army that will wipe out every country that tries to stop us so stop all this unneeded fighting and fight for oil, is that not what this whole damb thing is about .
3) The Saudies are laughing at us they live in sand they are building fake surroundings for them so they can thik that they are at a place like Florida ect...
4) They need us more then we need them in a all out war from IRAN and other terr.countries so take them out before it's to late enough of pushing around the presidend of the united states

gel Jun 16th 2009 10:16AM

Well that seems entirely fair. The man has a 500 mil yacht and plane to match. While the biggest purchaser of oil, the USA pays heavy duty gas prices, he lives as a King. I am proud to support that man's way of living...somebody hit me with a bat please.

dan Jun 16th 2009 10:27AM

Gel you didnt bother to read the artical did you? Its not the same guy moron

agt4085 Jun 16th 2009 10:05AM

Hey Brian are you a moron. You don't think oil is going up do to the luxury items these people buy. They want us to cut back on fuel use. yet this thing uses 3000 gals to go 400 miles. Piss off jack ass. Good use of technical wording with fritz. Thought that was a german guy.

Jim Jun 16th 2009 10:28AM

Here's an idea...Oil prices have been manipulated ever since the "conspiracy" to get US control of prices to stop....It started when we "from behind closed doors agreements" let the Arabs "NATIONALIZE" privately owned oil enterprises...this immediately put pricing in the hands of a CARTEL led by guess who...wouldn't be Rockerfeller would it? Anyway....no more US control keeping prices down and ever since oil prices have gone through the roof with the ARABS gettting richer and richer and with Rockerfeller getting more and more powerful....wonder why the US Gov hasn't stepped in to stop this? Well...use your imagination

Paz Jun 16th 2009 11:16AM

Now you see why our pot smoking pres. (google : obama "I inhaled frequently" "That was the point") bows to their king! $$$
bama should go back to Kenya and take his drunken sidekick with him!
(google: dunken biden). We don't want them or their socialism here in America-
( a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.)
It's time for Americans to retake our country!

Brutal Jun 16th 2009 11:23AM

And when these a$$#0!&$ are standing naked in front of their Lord and he asks them why they spent a half billion dollars on a plane and a boat instead of doing something with the money to help the world ... they simply won't have an answer ... and that is when the down button gets pushed.

PlayMisty4me Jun 16th 2009 11:48AM

The number of abysmally ignorant people who have access to a computer is frightening.

wes Jun 16th 2009 11:50AM

Difficult to believe that Russia, America ememy for decades has more millionaires, and billionaires than the USA. Thanks to all our friends in politics. They even get to go to univercity for free, but that socialism, we don't want, so we get to work at wal mart.