Chelsea owner shields mega-yacht from Paparazzi

Ever since Diana, Princess of Wales, was snapped in an amorous clinch with Dodi Fayed in a yacht off the French Riviera, celebrities have been seeking ways to enjoy their holidays while avoiding the glare of the paparazzi.

Now Roman Abramovich, the 42-year-old Russian oligarch and owner of Chelsea football club, appears to have come up with a novel solution to protect his privacy.

In a move that could eventually be copied by all discerning billionaires, Abramovich has installed an anti-paparazzi shield on his newest vessel, the world's biggest and most expensive private yacht.

The high-tech system on Eclipse, a mega-yacht measuring up to 557 feet, relies on lasers to block any digital camera lenses nearby.

The boat, which costs $1.2 billion (Rs 5,760 crore), glided out of port in Hamburg last week on its maiden voyage. The yacht the fourth in Abramovich's private fleet drips luxury.

Lap of luxury

It boasts two helipads, two swimming pools the larger of which doubles up as a dance floor when drained u00e2u0080u0094 and 6ft-wide home cinema screens in all 24 guest cabins.
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The master suite features a retractable roof, allowing him and his girlfriend, Daria Zukhova, a former model, to sleep under the stars.

Mindful of a rise in piracy on the high seas, the yacht has a hull and windows capable of withstanding a missile attack and a mini-submarine for emergencies.

However, the boat's most unusual feature is perhaps the anti-paparazzi "shield". Infrared lasers detect the electronic light sensors in nearby cameras.

When the system detects such a device, it fires a focused beam of light at the camera, disrupting its ability to record a digital image.

Island Home

Roman Abramovich has recently bought 70 acres of beach-front property on the exclusive island St Bart's, in the Caribbean for $90 million (Rs 430 crore).u00a0

When he arrives at his new home, he will find a playground consisting of Balinese bungalows with ocean views, tennis courts, swimming pools and music pavilions.

His properties include a primary residence in Moscow, homes in London, the Chateau de la Crou00c3u00ab on the French Riviera and two homes in Colorado, including a 200-acre ranch.

Rs 40K crore
Approximate worth of Roman Abramovich