the eclipse yacht owner

Who Owns the Superyacht Eclipse? (The Full Story)

The Superyacht Eclipse is truly a one-of-a-kind vessel.

This magnificent yacht has been in the news lately, with rumors swirling about who owns it.

But what is the true story behind this luxurious vessel? From its background and design to the amenities, cost, crew, and security features, we will explore all the details of the Superyacht Eclipse as well as the history of its owner, Roman Abramovich.

Plus, we’ll take a look at some of the other notable superyachts on the market today.

Read on to find out the full story behind the Superyacht Eclipse!

Table of Contents

Short Answer

The Eclipse is a superyacht owned by Russian businessman Roman Abramovich.

It was the world’s largest private yacht when it was launched in 2010, measuring 533 feet long.

It is estimated to be worth around $400 million and is one of the most luxurious yachts in the world, with features such as two swimming pools, three launch boats, two helipads, a cinema, and a mini-submarine.

The Background on the Superyacht Eclipse

The superyacht Eclipse is owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

It is one of the largest private yachts in the world, measuring in at an impressive 162 meters long.

The yacht was reportedly purchased for around $400 million in 2010, making it one of the most expensive vessels in the world.

The yacht is equipped with a variety of high-end amenities, including two helipads, an on-board cinema, a submarine, and a missile defense system.

This makes it a unique and luxurious vessel, perfect for entertaining guests and hosting parties.

The yacht also has a crew of up to 70 people, ensuring that it is well-maintained and serviced.

This includes a team of captains, engineers, deckhands, and other personnel that are responsible for keeping the yacht in top shape.

The Eclipse is also equipped with the latest in technological advances, such as satellite navigation and communication systems, as well as other state-of-the-art systems.

This ensures that it can travel to remote destinations without any problems.

Finally, the yacht also has a variety of security measures in place, such as cameras, motion detectors, and a missile defense system.

This ensures that the vessel is safe and secure at all times.

All in all, the Eclipse is a stunning superyacht that is sure to turn heads wherever it goes.

Owned by Roman Abramovich, it is an impressive vessel that showcases the wealth and power of its owner.

The Design and Amenities of the Superyacht Eclipse

The superyacht Eclipse is an impressive feat of engineering.

Designed by Blohm+Voss of Hamburg, Germany, the yacht is 162 meters long and features a sleek, modern design that is both eye-catching and aerodynamic.

The yacht features two helipads, one on the main deck and one on the upper deck, allowing for easy access and transport of passengers and crew.

The interior of the yacht is equally impressive.

The main salon is over 200 feet long and features a large dining room, living room, and library, as well as a fully-equipped bar and lounge.

The yacht also features an on-board cinema, a gym, and a fully-equipped spa.

The yacht also has a submarine, a missile defense system, and a fully-equipped medical center.

The crew of the Eclipse consists of up to 70 people, including a captain, engineer, and stewardesses.

All crew members are highly trained and experienced, and the yacht is equipped with the latest navigation and communication systems.

The crew is also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the yacht, ensuring that it remains in top condition for years to come.

The yacht itself is powered by four diesel engines and two gas turbines, giving it a top speed of 22 knots.

It also has a range of 3,000 nautical miles, allowing it to easily travel long distances.

The Eclipse also has a fuel capacity of over 500,000 liters, allowing it to remain at sea for extended periods of time.

Overall, the Eclipse is one of the most impressive vessels in the world, and is a testament to the skill and experience of the Blohm+Voss shipbuilding company.

With its luxurious amenities, impressive range, and state-of-the-art technology, it is easy to see why the yacht is so popular among billionaires and other wealthy individuals.

The Cost of the Superyacht Eclipse

The cost of the superyacht Eclipse is one of the most talked about aspects of this luxurious vessel.

According to reports, the yacht was purchased by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for an estimated $400 million in 2010.

This makes it one of the most expensive yachts in the world, and certainly one of the most luxurious.

The yacht is 162 meters long and features a variety of luxurious amenities, including two helipads, an on-board cinema, a submarine, and a missile defense system.

It is also equipped with a crew of up to 70 people, making it one of the largest private yachts in the world.

The cost of the yacht is reflective of its features.

The yacht is equipped with the latest technology and features, and is made of the finest materials.

It also has a range of luxury amenities, including a spa, jacuzzi, gym, and an infinity pool.

The yacht also has a fully-stocked bar, a gourmet kitchen, and state-of-the-art security systems.

All of these features come together to create one of the most luxurious vessels in the world.

The cost of the yacht is also reflective of its exclusivity.

The yacht is one of the largest in the world, and is only available to its owner, Roman Abramovich.

This makes it a highly sought-after item, and the cost of the yacht is reflective of its status as a luxury item.

It is also a symbol of power and wealth, making it a highly sought-after item.

The cost of the superyacht Eclipse is a reflection of its incredible features, its exclusivity, and its status as a symbol of power and wealth.

It is one of the most luxurious and sought-after yachts in the world, and is sure to be the envy of other billionaires for years to come.

The Crew of the Superyacht Eclipse

When it comes to the crew of the superyacht Eclipse, it is just as impressive as the vessel itself.

The yacht is staffed by up to 70 people, with each of them having specialized roles and responsibilities.

This includes a captain, first mate, engineers, mechanics, security guards, and chefs.

All of these crew members have to be highly experienced in their respective fields, as they are responsible for ensuring that the vessel is able to operate safely and efficiently.

In addition to the crew, the yacht also employs a team of hospitality staff, which consists of waiters, housekeepers, and bartenders.

These crew members are responsible for ensuring that the guests of the yacht are comfortable and that their needs are met.

All of these crew members are also highly trained and experienced in their respective roles, and can be relied upon to provide the highest level of service.

The Security Features of the Superyacht Eclipse

The security features aboard the Superyacht Eclipse are nothing short of extraordinary.

The yacht is equipped with an advanced missile defense system, as well as a full-time crew of up to 70 people, designed to ensure the safety and security of its owner at all times.

In addition to the crew, the yacht is also equipped with two helipads, allowing for quick and easy transport of personnel and supplies.

The yacht also features a state-of-the-art submarine, which is believed to be used for reconnaissance missions.

Perhaps the most remarkable of the yacht’s features is its missile defense system.

This system is designed to detect and intercept any missiles fired at the yacht, and is believed to be one of the most advanced of its kind in existence.

This level of sophistication is even more remarkable when one considers the fact that the yacht is not designed for military use.

This system is designed solely to protect the owner and passengers of the yacht from any potential threats.

Finally, the Superyacht Eclipse is also equipped with a variety of luxurious amenities, including an on-board cinema, a swimming pool, and a spa.

These amenities are designed to provide the owner and passengers with the ultimate in luxury and comfort.

All of these features make it clear why the yacht is one of the most sought-after vessels in the world.

Roman Abramovich’s History with the Superyacht Eclipse

Roman Abramovich’s history with the superyacht Eclipse dates back to 2010, when he purchased the vessel for an estimated $400 million.

The yacht, which measures 162 meters in length, is one of the largest private yachts in the world, and is currently the fourth-largest superyacht in the world.

Since its purchase, the Eclipse has been a source of immense pride for Abramovich, who has used the vessel for a number of impressive spectacles.

For example, the Eclipse was used to host a lavish New Years Eve celebration in 2011, and has also been used to host birthday parties and other special occasions.

The Eclipse features an impressive range of amenities, including two helipads, an on-board cinema, a submarine, and a missile defense system.

The yacht also has a crew of up to 70 people, and is capable of carrying up to 36 guests.

It is also one of the few vessels on the market to feature a missile defense system.

Overall, Abramovich’s ownership of the Eclipse is a testament to his success as a businessman.

The fact that he was able to purchase such an impressive vessel is a testament to his wealth and status as one of the world’s most influential billionaires.

The Eclipse is sure to remain a symbol of Abramovich’s success for years to come.

Other Notable Superyachts

The superyacht Eclipse may be one of the largest and most luxurious private yachts in the world, but it is certainly not the only one.

There are a few other noteworthy superyachts owned by some of the world’s wealthiest individuals.

The world’s largest superyacht, Azzam, is owned by the Emir of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

At 180 meters long, it is 18 meters longer than the Eclipse, and is estimated to have cost over $600 million.

The Azzam features a pool, spa, helipad, and even two missile defense systems.

The world’s second-largest superyacht, owned by oil and gas tycoon David Geffen, is the Rising Sun.

At 162.5 meters long, it is just 0.5 meters shorter than the Eclipse, and is estimated to have cost over $400 million.

The Rising Sun features a basketball court, helipad, cinema, and even a wine cellar.

The world’s third-largest superyacht, owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is the Octopus.

At 126 meters long, it is 36 meters shorter than the Eclipse, and is estimated to have cost over $200 million.

The Octopus features two helipads, an on-board recording studio, and a basketball court.

These are just a few of the world’s largest and most luxurious superyachts.

While the Eclipse may be the fourth-largest in the world, it certainly has the amenities and features to rival even the largest of the superyachts.

Final Thoughts

The superyacht Eclipse is a remarkable feat of engineering and luxury, and a testament to the wealth of its owner, Roman Abramovich.

With its two helipads, on-board cinema, submarine, and missile defense system, it is one of the most extravagant and secure vessels in the world.

It’s no wonder why it cost around $400 million to purchase in 2010.

Whether you’re interested in buying a superyacht of your own or just want to learn more about the impressive vessels, the story of the Eclipse is sure to fascinate and inspire.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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ECLIPSE Yacht – Epic $600M Superyacht

The ECLIPSE yacht was once the largest yacht in the world at an impressive length of 162.5 metres (533 ft) but currently ranks in second place after AZZAM.

Though she is known as the billion-dollar yacht, it is estimated that her true value lies between US $500 – $700 million.

The vessel can host 36 guests and is even rumored to feature a state-of-the-art anti-paparazzi system to protect the privacy of those on board.

ECLIPSE yacht interior

The interior (and the exterior) was designed by Terence Disdale , who has become one of the top names in the industry despite having no formal design education.

ECLIPSE was his largest project to date, and he also worked on prominent vessels such as A+ and AL SALAMAH. The interior of ECLIPSE is classically designed in a style that is to be expected from one of the largest yachts in the world.

The upholstery and furniture follow a beige and crème color palette with wooden accents.

The yacht’s 18 cabins can welcome 36 guests as well as 70 crew members, which is an unusually large number even for a vessel of this size.

A large dance floor, several fireplaces, two swimming pools, and two helipads are also included onboard.

The ECLIPSE yacht interior is so large that there is even a cinema dedicated exclusively to crew members. In 2015 the interior of ECLIPSE was refitted by Blohm and Voss in Hamburg.

Specifications

The ECLIPSE yacht is the second-largest yacht in the world with a length of 162.5 meters (533 ft), a beam of 22 meters (72.2 ft), and a draft of 5.9 meters (19.4 ft).

She was built by the German shipyard Blohm & Voss and delivered to her owner in 2010.

Four MTU engines power ECLIPSE and allow her to reach top speeds of 25 knots, although her average cruising speed lies at 22 knots.

Her total volume lies at 13564 tons making her not only one of the longest but also the heaviest yachts in the world.

Like the interior of ECLIPSE, the interior was designed by Terence Disdale. According to rumors, Abramovich fitted her with an anti-paparazzi system that detects electronic light sensors from digital cameras.

However, there is no proof of this, although many newspapers report its existence.

On deck are several swimming pools and jacuzzis, and the aft of the vessel features a sizeable beach club. The yacht has a sleek design that attests to Terence Disdale’s classical style.

ECLIPSE came to fame as being the most expensive yacht ever built at the time for an approximate price of US $500 million.

She has seen further improvements since her purchase by Abramovich in 2010 and it is often widely reported that she is worth US $1.2 – $1.5 billion.

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Eclipse – The World’s Most Expensive Private Yacht

In the world of soccer, Roman Abramovich is a popular figure as he owns the leading English club, Chelsea. The Russian businessman helped the Blues become a big spender in the transfer market, bringing brilliant players like Arjen Robben, Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, etc. to offer the beautiful game to club supporters across the world.

In addition to the Chelsea football team, which is a beauty on soccer fields, Abramovich owns another marvel: a private yacht named Eclipse.

The 162.5m-long beauty Eclipse is the world’s second-largest and one of the most expensive superyachts. Its estimated cost is 590 million (€340 million), and its current owner has owned it since December 2010.

A synonym for luxury, this superyacht is best suited for all adventure and water sports activities and provides splendid trips to cultural and historical destinations.

Built by renowned German shipbuilder Blohm + Voss, the Eclipse was launched in June 2009 after five years of design, development, and testing. Before its final delivery, several sea trials were conducted starting in May 2009 at Kristiansand, Norway.

When delivered, Eclipse won the spot for the largest superyacht in the world, beating the 162m-long M/Y Dubai of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. Eclipse retained the title until the arrival of the 180m-long Azzam, UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s private yacht in 2013. Currently managed by Blue Ocean Yacht Management, Eclipse was selected as the Motor Yacht of the Year in 2011 at the World Superyacht Awards.

Specifications of Eclipse Yacht

As mentioned earlier, this tremendous superyacht measures 162.5m (533’1″ft) in length, 22.00m (72’2″ft) in width and 5.90m (19’4″ft) in the draft, offering a vast area for luxurious leisure activities. The Bermuda-flagged Lloyds Register class yacht has a Gross Tonnage of 13000 tonnes.

Eclipse is powered by a diesel-electric, dual propulsion system with four MTU 20V 1163 TB93 marine diesel engines, offering the latest propulsion technology for maximum speed performance. These engines power the rotating Azipod drives, giving the yacht a maximum speed of 25 knots and a cruise speed of 22. Featuring 1,000,000 litres of fuel tanks, Eclipse can travel up to 6,000 nautical miles at 21 knots before refuelling. The boat also can store about 150,000 litres of freshwater abroad.

Interior and Exterior Design

While Blohm + Voss provided the naval architecture, Terence Disdale Design carried out the superstructure design of the Eclipse. The UK-based award-winning firm was also responsible for interior design, deck layouts, and construction supervision.

Incidentally, the vessel’s construction was performed with great secrecy, and due to this reason, the project was named Project Luxury Yacht M 147 throughout the construction period. However, the details of the technical design and construction of the yacht have not been revealed to the public; the design and layout are available for people to marvel at.

Divided into nine decks, the top deck of Eclipse is taken up by the helicopters and garage. The swimming pool and sundeck go on level eight, while level seven features a pool, atrium and an open deck. The salon, main dining hall and a 40ft X 60ft full-beam loggia are located on the sixth level, and the fourth floor features the main entrance of the yacht. While the next level of the yacht divides the cabins and suites of the owner, guests and crew, the second deck of the vessel acts as a docking port for the submarine. Level one accommodates the engine room, machinery, and a small disco club.

The superyacht with a displacement steel hull has an aluminium superstructure, while its decks become magnificent, featuring teak woods. To offer a smooth cruising experience, the yacht features an ultra-modern stabilization system that minimises the roll motion effect and is equipped with ‘at anchor stabilisers’ to increase comfort when the boat is stationary. Featuring the Art Deco interior design, with an innovative, technology-rich environment and the use of soft metallic fabrics, Eclipse offers a splendid living experience for its owner. With diverse facilities across the decks, the yacht meets the optimum standard of offering a leisure time platform.

The entire yacht has been bejewelled with features to make it more luxurious. Spread across many decks, Eclipse facilities abroad include a gym, dance floor, underwater lights, beach club, wifi connection, beauty salon, tender, garage, deck jacuzzi, etc. Further, the Eclipse holds two helipads and a 16 m swimming pool that can be converted into a dance floor. This motor yacht can accommodate three helicopters, two on both helipads and the third one in a storage hangar below the foredeck. Moreover, Eclipse also flaunts internal lifts, six tenders and an exterior fireplace on-board. The boat also features a place for a three-person private submarine that can go up to a depth of 160ft.

Eclipse is also one of the most technologically advanced yachts around the world.  The boat boasts the latest technology safety features, including motion sensors, bulletproof glass and antiballistic missile defence.  In fact, each cabin in the yacht comes with a private 6ft home cinema screen, a Jacuzzi, a spa and specialized security systems. According to reports, Eclipse has an anti-paparazzi system that detects the use of digital cameras to click photographs of the boat. Using lasers, the system detects digital cameras and disrupts a potential picture of the yacht, as those infrared lights can make it unstable.

Accommodation

The yacht has 11 staterooms and suites, totalling 6000 square feet. With this facility, Eclipse can house 30 guests and a 92-member staff crew abroad. The master suite, located on level five of the yacht, is 5000 square feet alone. In addition, the boat also has a pilothouse on level seven.

With all these facilities incorporated, maintaining the Eclipse is not a less expensive matter. An annual expense of over $60 million is reportedly required to maintain this luxury boat. According to media reports, Abramovich charges its customers around £ 175,000 to rent the vessel for a day.

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Disclaimer:  The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight.  Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.

The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight. 

About Author

Raunek Kantharia is a marine engineer turned maritime writer and entrepreneur. After a brief stint at the sea, he founded Marine Insight in 2010. Apart from managing Marine Insight, he also writes for a number of maritime magazines and websites.

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How This Superyacht Became an Overnight Geopolitical Mystery

By Jessica Cherner

The Russia sanctions are growing, seemingly by the hundreds, every day. And much of the world is watching with glee as oligarchs’ luxuries are being hunted down by international governments. If we’ve learned anything from movies like The Wolf of Wall Street, which is based on a true story, it’s that some of the world’s wealthiest enjoy flaunting their money. Not only do billionaires often spend their money on toys like European sports cars and diamond-encrusted watches, but they also want the world to know to whom these extremely rare possessions belong. 

After all, Jeff Bezos has been accumulating quite a bit of press as he works on dismantling a historic bridge in Rotterdam to sail his $500 million yacht onto the open sea. But some billionaires play their cards a bit closer to the chest. Case in point: the owner of a 459-foot superyacht docked in a Tuscan port. No one, not even the Italian police, can identify who the enormous vessel belongs to, which leads the world to believe it may be someone tied to one of the world’s most currently despised leaders: Vladimir Putin.

Scheherazade , which costs an estimated $700 million, boasts not one but two helicopter decks. 

Few believe that the floating mansion actually belongs to the Russian president—whose recent invasion of Ukraine is earning more sanctions than he, his country, and his billionaire friends thought imaginable—but many are more certain that it belongs to someone with ties to the top of the Russian government.

Since the devastating fate of Ukraine started to unfold, the United States, along with the UK and the European Union, have come together to track down the luxuries belonging to Putin’s friends, who are part of a massively growing list of billionaires facing punishing sanctions. That’s why this boat, one of the world’s largest and costliest, is such a point of interest.

International governments have been going after the luxurious belongings of Russian oligarchs since Putin and his government started getting slapped with sanctions two weeks ago, so assuming the yacht hiding out in Italy is one of Putin’s friend’s, things aren’t looking so good. However, no one can confirm just yet. The ship’s British captain, Guy Bennett-Pearce, promised that Putin had never been on the boat and that it didn’t belong to him, but he didn’t confirm whether or not the yacht belonged to a Russian national.

Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Considering all of the amenities on the boat, dubbed Scheherazade , it’s not exactly an unfair guess to assume the owner is a Russian oligarch. Scheherazade , which costs an estimated $700 million, boasts not one but two helicopter decks, an indoor swimming pool with a retractable cover that transforms the pool into a dance floor, a fully equipped gym, and bathrooms complete with gold-plated fixtures. That’s a lot of sparkle even for the level of wealth associated with a purchase this big. However, the glamour isn’t the unusual part; the degree of intentional secrecy is.

The superyacht community does entertain a level of confidentiality—mostly for security purposes—but the Scheherazade is kept under so many wraps that it makes people believe something dubious must be going on when it comes to the owner’s identity. For instance, all of the contractors and crew members signed nondisclosure agreements, there’s a custom cover to hide the boat’s nameplate, and when Scheherazade arrived at the port, workers built a metal structure on the pier to keep passersby from seeing the yacht.

The 459-foot superyacht is currently docked in a Tuscan port.

This yacht, however, isn’t the only one catching people’s attention as of late. The world’s second-biggest yacht, called Eclipse , is owned by Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire who owns the British soccer club, Chelsea. On Thursday, March 10, the UK government sanctioned Abramovich's assets.

As for Scheherazade , that mystery is still being investigated, and until the feds can figure out who the not-so-proud owner is, the behemoth on water will remain where it is, shrouded in a cloak of well-orchestrated secrecy.

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Eclipse Yacht: The World’s Most Expensive Private Yacht ($1.5 Billion)

Eclipse Yacht Facts

Yacht Name: Eclipse Yacht Length: 162 m (533 ft) Guests: 36 in 18 cabins Crew: up to 96 Displacement: 13,564t Builder: Blohm & Voss Year:- 2010 Yacht Cost: US$ 590 million Yacht Current Value: USD $1.5 Billion Yacht Owner: Roman Abramovich

Some of the most expensive boats in the world are yachts . Yachts are a sign of extreme wealth and luxury. And the $1.5 Billion Eclipse is the best of the best! It is the most expensive private yacht in the world and owned by the super glamorous Russian billionaire businessman – Roman Abramovich.

This article discusses the world’s most expensive private yacht, who owns it, the luxuries that it holds, and how it functions.

Following are some interesting facts about the world’s most expensive private yacht ‘Eclipse’

What it is and who owns it.

Eclipse which has the full name of M/Y Eclipse is a luxury motor yacht. A Russian businessman named Roman Abramovich owns it. He is the 11th richest person in Russia and the 140th richest person in the world. He is best known as the owner of the Chelsea Football Club. Chelsea FC is a premier league football club which is famous all over the world.

Abramovich has a net worth of 11.5 billion dollars. What is not known that popularly about him is that he is the owner of the world’s most luxurious and expensive private yacht.

Eclipse was delivered to Abramovich in December of 2010. It was built in Germany by a Hamburg-based company called Blohm-Voss. Eclipse is the world’s most expensive yacht with an estimated cost of 340 million euros or 590 million dollars.

About the Yacht Eclipse

The yacht is a total of 162.5 m in length and 22 m in width. It has a draft of 5.90 m. This makes it the second-largest yacht in the world. It provides a lot of space for leisurely activities, is suitable for almost all adventure and water sports, and is also capable of offering trips to several cultural and historical destinations all over the world. It has several features.

It is interesting to know that the yacht eclipse also has two helicopter pads on it. There are 24 guest cabins, several hot tubs, a disco hall, and even two swimming pools. It also contains a gym, a dance floor, underwater lights, a Beach club, a beauty salon, a Wi-Fi connection, a tender garage, and a deck jacuzzi. The swimming pools on the yacht can be converted into a dance floor. Even though the yacht has two helicopter pads, it can accommodate three helicopters as it has one storage hanger below the foredeck. There is also an exterior fireplace on board the yacht.

Eclipse is also a very technologically advanced boat. It has the latest technology features like motion sensors, anti-ballistic missile defense, and bulletproof glass.

As stated, before it has 24 guest cabins. Each of these cabins has a private 6 feet home cinema screen, a spa, a jacuzzi, and specialized security systems. It is believed that the boat also has an anti-paparazzi system. The system can detect the use of digital cameras for taking pictures of the boat. It is capable of disrupting a potential photograph of the yacht using infrared lights with the help of lasers.

The yacht is also equipped with three launch boats. It also has a mini-submarine which can submerge up to 50 m or 160 feet underwater. The yacht requires about 70 crew members for its proper operation and to serve the guests.

The yacht is also equipped with a missile detection system for security.

It has also employed a rotor-based stabilization system. It works against roll motion at anchor and low cruise speeds. It is based on the Magnus effect. Eclipse is the largest vessel in the world to have employed such a system.

The yacht is a Bermuda Flagged, Lloyd Register class yacht. It has a gross tonnage of 13,000 tonnes. The yacht offers the latest technology for propulsion and maximum speed performance. It also has an installed diesel-electric dual propulsion system with four MTU 20V 1163 TB93 marine diesel engines.

Also read: The Mysteries Of The Bermuda Triangle

The yacht can attain a maximum speed of 25 knots and a cruise speed of up to 22 knots. It also can carry 1 million liters of fuel in tanks and can travel up to 6000 nautical miles at the rate of about 21 knots before it needs to be refueled. The boat can also store nearly one fifty thousand liters of fresh water on board.

The submarine of the yacht can accommodate up to three people and can go as deep as 160 feet underwater, as previously stated.

The boat has a total living area of 6000 square feet. There are 11 staterooms and suites on it. It can accommodate up to 30 guests and a crew of 96 staff members. Out of the 6000 square feet of area, the master suite alone is spread over 5000 square feet. On the seventh level of the boat, there is a pilothouse.

Being a boat with so many features, one can only imagine what the cost of the maintenance of it would be. As one would expect, the maintenance of the Eclipse is costly.

According to a report, the yacht requires more than 60 million dollars for maintenance every year. The per-day rent of the boat is around 175,000 pounds.

History of the Eclipse Yacht

As mentioned before the yacht is owned by Roman Abramovich, a Russian businessman. Eclipse was delivered to Abramovich in December of 2010. It was built in Germany by a Hamburg-based company called Blohm-Voss.

The yacht arrived for sea trials at Frederikshavn in Denmark in September 2009. The first-ever pictures of the boat were taken on 9 December 2010.

Terence Disdale Design carried out the superstructure design of the yacht. The same company was responsible for the interior designing of the yacht, layouts of the deck as well as supervision during its construction.

This yacht was constructed in great secrecy. At the time of construction, it was known as Project Luxury Yacht M 147 for the same reason. The details of the technical designs and construction of the boat have still not been revealed to the public. The only thing that is accessible to the public is the design layout.

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Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich Owns 16 Yachts And Vessels, 10 More Than Previously Known

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Roman Abramovich.

Documents show that the sanctioned tycoon has a much larger fleet than previously known. At least one of the previously unreported yachts is currently in French territory, putting it at risk of being frozen by authorities.

A trove of leaked documents has revealed several previously unreported assets owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich . The files, shared with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and its partners, including Forbes , show that Abramovich owns at least 10 more yachts and vessels through offshore companies and trusts—in addition to six yachts worth at least $1 billion that were already public knowledge.

The documents come from MeritServus, a Cyprus-based corporate services provider used by Russian oligarchs, and were initially shared with The Guardian , which received them from an anonymous third party. According to The Guardian , the files show that Abramovich transferred ownership of 10 offshore trusts with billions of dollars in assets —including the trust that owns his yachts and private jets—to his seven children in early February 2022, just three weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and about a month before Abramovich was sanctioned by the U.K. and EU. An OCCRP investigation using company records and documents in the leak also revealed that Abramovich had invested some $230 million in a large Russian forestry company —whose other shareholders included the Russian government—between 2008 and 2016, before selling his stake for about $110 million one month before the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

Forbes identified 10 vessels owned by Abramovich that had not been previously attributed to him, bringing his overall tally to 16. Eight of the ships are small vessels that, according to the leaked documents, are “used to support the operations” of Eclipse , the 533-foot, $427 million megayacht that Abramovich had built in 2010. Eclipse is currently moored in the Turkish port of Bodrum, with three more of Abramovich’s yachts—the 458-foot, $475 million Solaris , the 180-foot, $38 million Halo and the 220-foot, $20 million Garcon —all anchored nearby, along Turkey’s western Mediterranean coast. A representative for Abramovich did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Outside of the eight support vessels, the leaked documents also show that Abramovich owns a 40-foot Bluegame motor boat named Umbra A , valued at roughly $1 million in a 2016 annual report. The most valuable of the previously unreported yachts is the 80-foot Kewpie , worth about $3 million according to yacht valuation experts VesselsValue. The ship is registered in Bermuda and is currently located in the French overseas territory of Saint Barthélemy, more commonly known as St. Barts, where it has been moored since early November. Abramovich is a familiar face in St. Barts: He owns two properties on the island, one of which was frozen by French authorities in April.

That means Kewpie is also at risk of being frozen, because it’s located on French territory and Abramovich is under EU sanctions—unlike the megayachts in Turkey, which has not imposed sanctions on Russian oligarchs. And Kewpie isn’t the only one of Abramovich’s vessels that could be in trouble. His 162-foot, $11 million Sussurro has been moored in La Ciotat on the French Riviera for nearly a year. Yet another yacht, the 164-foot, $30 million Aquamarine , appears to still be in the Netherlands. Aquamarine ’s ultimate owner is a British Virgin Islands-based company that Abramovich transferred to his business associate David Davidovich on February 24, 2022.

Abramovich uses a complex structure of offshore entities for his yachts plus other assets including four jets , six helicopters and luxury villas and estates . His fleet of 16 ships and 10 aircraft—worth a collective $1.6 billion—are owned by several firms registered in offshore havens including Aruba, the British Virgin Islands, the Isle of Man and Jersey, all known for their secrecy and low-tax regimes. The leaked filings, combined with a seizure warrant for two of Abramovich’s jets filed by the U.S. Department of Justice in June, show that all of these assets—except Aquamarine —are ultimately owned by the Cyprus-based Europa Settlement Trust.

Until February 4, 2022, Abramovich was the trust’s only beneficiary. But on that day, two of Abramovich's representatives—David Davidovich and Tatyana Haykin—filed a document that added his seven children as additional beneficiaries. Four days later, Abramovich was removed entirely, leaving the trust and its trove of yachts and jets to his kids. The amendments to the trust appear to have been completed by February 24, the same day Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine.

Despite the changes to his trusts in February, Forbes still counts Abramovich as a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $8.7 billion. While the megayachts and jets are now technically owned by his children, the oligarch still appears to control them: Abramovich flew aboard his Gulfstream G650 from Israel to Istanbul on March 14, before departing for Moscow the next day.

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Eclipse Motor Yacht

The motor yacht Eclipse is the largest and most expensive private superyacht in the world. It is owned by the Russian bu

Yacht delivered

December 2010

€800m ($1.2bn)

Roman Abramovich

Blohm + Voss Shipyard

Interior Designer

Terence Disdale Design, Greenline Yacht Interiors

Yacht Architect

Hermidas Atabeyki

Gross Tonnage

Cruise speed, maximum speed.

MTU 20V 1163 TB93

Number of engines

7,400kW per engine

Length Overall

The motor yacht Eclipse is the largest and most expensive private superyacht in the world. It is owned by the Russian businessman and owner of Chelsea Football Club Roman Abramovich. The yacht is estimated to have cost about €800m ($1.2bn). It was delivered to the owner in December 2010.

The 162.5m-long Eclipse is currently the largest yacht, having surpassed the 162m-long motor yacht Dubai. The Dubai is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai.

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The Eclipse was built by Blohm + Voss Shipyards and is being managed by Blue Ocean Yacht Management.

The details related to its technical features and construction, however, have not been revealed to the public. It was constructed at the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg and launched in June 2009.

Tests on the yacht were conducted at Frederikshavn, Denmark in September 2009. Sea trials began in Kristiansand, Norway in May 2010. The yacht was finally delivered to the owner in December 2010.

Eclipse motor yacht design

The Eclipse is composed of a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. It features a helipad, a submarine garage integrated into the hull and a drydock at the stern for tenders. It has an overall length of 162.5m, length between perpendiculars of 147m, breadth of 21.5m and draught of 5m.

The latest technology has been incorporated into the staterooms and cabins, along with luxurious interiors and fabrics. Safety features include bulletproof glass, motion sensors and an antiballistic missile defense system. The master suite and the bridge are equipped with armour plating.

The yacht has nine decks with the top level dedicated for helicopters and the garage. Level eight features a bar, swimming pool and sundeck. Level seven has a pool, atrium and an open deck.

Level six features the saloon, main dining hall and a 40ftx60ft full-beam loggia. The main entrance foyer is located on the fourth floor.

The Eclipse features a 16m swimming pool, which can be covered to make a dance floor. The yacht accommodates three helicopters and a three-man private submarine, which can drive to a depth of 160ft.

The cabins are installed with 6ft home cinema screens. Other facilities include a jacuzzi, spa, two helipads, internal lifts, six tenders, an exterior fireplace and specialised security systems.

Accommodation

The Eclipse can accommodate 30 guests in 11 staterooms and suites and a crew and staff of 92 members. It has a total living space of 6,000ft².

The pilothouse is located on level seven. The fifth level houses a 5,000ft² master suite.

The central foyer of the yacht separates the cabins and suites of the owner, guests and the crew. An exhibition room and theatre occupy the third floor and the second deck acts as a docking port for the submarine. Level one houses the engine room, machinery and a small disco-club.

The Eclipse is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system with four MTU 20V 1163 TB93 marine diesel engines. The generators of the propulsion system power the rotating Azipod drives. The propulsion gives the yacht a maximum speed of 25kt and cruise speed of 22kt.

Construction

Construction of the yacht commenced in 2006. It took five years of intensive design, development and construction for successful completion. It was built under the name Project Luxury Yacht M 147, with great secrecy.

Contractors

The yacht was designed by Hermidas Atabeyki of Atabeyki Design Development. The exterior styling and interior design were done by Terence Disdale Design and Greenline Yacht Interiors.

Terence Disdale Design was responsible for the superstructure, deck layouts and construction supervision. Blohm + Voss provided the naval architecture.

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Step on board the 162.5m Eclipse - the second largest superyacht in the world

Designer Terry Disdale talks us through the four and a half years, nine decks and 162.5 metres of the world’s second largest superyacht.

Terry Disdale didn’t set out to design the biggest superyacht in the world. “No one ever said to me, ‘I want a 160 metre boat’,” he says over breakfast near his office in Richmond, London. “When the yacht was still on the drawing board, there was a rumour going round that someone was building an even bigger boat, and the owner was asked if he knew about it. He said he didn’t, and that he didn’t care. Breaking records was the farthest thing from his mind.”

What he did care about was helicopters – he wanted to carry more than one; and the pool – it had to be big. There were also some early discussions about low bulwarks and big windows, and that was the totality of the brief for what would become Eclipse . “To be given free rein is actually a dreadful thing,” says Disdale.  “I asked myself what I wanted: something timeless. How do you design something timeless that’s still going to look good and not be anaemic? It’s so easy to get carried away, but you’ve got to be able to look at it in 20 years and decide it still looks OK.” But that’s the trick, isn’t it? And the measure of a designer.

• The 25 largest yachts in the world

At least Disdale had some hooks on which to hang the design. “Part of what creates the yacht looking like that is you’ve got to land this huge helicopter on the front, so the superstructure is pushed back. The formation of the boat is built around helicopter usage. And we didn’t want the boat to look unbalanced when the helicopter is on the foredeck. Some boats have a foredeck that looks wrong whenever a helicopter sits there.”

The lines of the boat were dictated by another prerequisite: the two significant lifeboats demanded by Solas. The sheerline runs straight aft from the bow and steps up amidships, the high freeboard created giving visual support to the lifeboats. “If you’d had a different sheerline, the lifeboats wouldn’t have looked comfortable,” the designer says. This, plus the addition of a 15 metre pool aft on the main deck, meant that the overall length of Eclipse – 162.5 metres – was defined not by ego but by practicality.

“Everyone thinks that a boat starts with a sketch, some glamorous visual of the outside of the boat. But that’s not how things work in my office – we start with a plan, a general arrangement.” The project, from this first design stage to the boat’s launch at Blohm+Voss ’s Hamburg yard in 2009, took four and a half years – a remarkable achievement given the scale of the yacht, which was only overtaken as the world’s biggest in 2013 with the launch of 180 metre Azzam . 

Up to 20 engineers from Blue Ocean Yacht Management were present on site throughout the build, whipping it along to meet the aggressive delivery schedule. Disdale doesn’t recall any sleepless nights – “at least, no more than usual!” he laughs. The pressure of designing what was then the world’s top yacht – both inside and out – did obviously register, though. “It’s a huge responsibility building something of that magnitude, which is going to be under everyone’s magnifying glass. It’s not just ‘doing a job’, this thing is going to be scrutinised and analysed by everyone. There’s a responsibility to yourself as a designer.”

A decade from delivery, and more than 15 years from the moment Disdale first put pen to paper, he says he wouldn’t change a thing – and nor has the owner, who has kept Disdale’s designs largely unchanged. “For me, it’s more a clean piece of architecture than it is a piece of styling. The fact that you have a helipad on the front creates the superstructure to bow dimension, which is beautiful. If it wasn’t there, you wouldn’t have that length. And then when you get to the back of the boat, the swimming pool is dictating another piece of the story. I don’t know what I would change now. I don’t sit around saying, ‘I wish I did this or that’. Maybe I’d make the rear end look a bit more inviting, the way the staircases lead into the boat, but anti-piracy was a concern, plus there are a load of services and facilities back there. There’s a full-size pantry to serve the beach club, which very few boats have, and gull-wing doors with a pullout barbecue and pizza oven. There’s a lot you don’t see.”

Disdale’s long experience in the business means he is able to resist the temptation to force designs, or slavishly follow trends that flare and fade, leaving boats looking old before their time. “ Eclipse is a handsome boat, and it looks like a boat. It doesn’t make any pretence,” he says. “The key word is elegance. Very few boats can make that claim any more. Modern boats are purposeful, aggressive, macho, which has led to them all having snub noses. They look angry. You could paint them grey and stick a cannon on the front and it wouldn’t upset their stance at all. Eclipse is not like that.” It’s a familiar sermon from Disdale, who famously posts his 10 “design commandments” up round his office. “One of  the most important tools in your box is restraint. I can have complete freedom when designing a superstructure, but restraint is actually the most important thing – knowing when to stop gilding the lily. Don’t gild it! Use silver leaf.”

• Inside the Surrey home of legendary superyacht designer Terence Disdale  

The obvious benefit of a single designer being responsible for the interior and exterior of a yacht is a seamless flow between the two, and that is absolutely true of Eclipse , whose interior conforms to another one of Disdale’s mantras: “ beach house not penthouse ”. “If you’ve got a dining room with satin on the chairs and gold braid around them, but you live in a T-shirt and shorts, then you’re not comfortable,” he says. 

The pool is a vast entertaining space, with 3.2 metre overheads and a retracting glass sunroof. “The ambience of the pool is as important as how it looks. You’ve got to want to sit by it.” Or dance on it: the blue granite bottom of the pool rises up to sit flush with the deck. It can also be lowered a touch to create a paddling pool.

The interior of any boat should be about “pure relaxation”, says Disdale. “People are on vacation, people are chilled.” He relates one story of an Arab client in the 1980s, who he dissuaded from fitting gold taps to his superyacht. “I told him he already had a 65 metre on the quay – he had already made his statement. It was a process of trying to quieten his ostentation.” You get the feeling no such effort was needed with the owner of Eclipse . “He had already owned three yachts to our design, so consequently was very familiar with my way of working and the habitat I create.” It’s impossible to miss the very deliberate warmth of that habitat and a design miracle that, despite using broadly the same colour palette throughout, nowhere do you tire of the ochre-like shades. 

This uniformity wasn’t applied to the lobbies between decks: different artists were tasked with creating unique works to give each lobby a flavour, so there is no confusion about what deck you’re on – a problem when you have nine. One of these pieces is a wooden sculpture made up of seven pieces, the design for which was hand drawn by Disdale and sent to Japan for manufacture. It’s a stunning work and symptomatic of the detail shown throughout – even in more mundane pieces, like the sideboards in the cabins that were designed in Europe and crafted in Chile.

With no clear-cut brief on the yacht’s layout, Disdale was forced to second-guess, “but that’s my job”, he says. “You have to work out how people will move around the boat.” The benefit of an LOA like Eclipse ’s is the owner can swallow serious acreage without impacting the guest experience. It’s not about avoiding guests, but being able to operate independently of them.

It would be easy to mistake the guest suites for the owner’s own quarters, such is their footprint. There are 18 guest cabins in total, served by 100 crew. From the moment the guests arrive by chopper, mainly on the top helideck, they’re absorbed in the comfort of the boat and have access to the main stairwell and elevator. It’s a transition of which Disdale is particularly proud. “It came from understanding how a boat is used. When you get out of the helicopter, you’re blown to pieces, and then where do you go?” The answer is an intimate lounge, where you can freshen up before entering the interior proper. It also gives pilots somewhere to conduct safety briefings, he points out. Eclipse is able to travel with multiple helicopters on board because one can be housed in the forward hangar, one above it on the retractable platform and another on the sundeck.

At the other extremity of the boat, the convenience continues with a huge bathing platform and staircases that fold down into the water for easy boarding – even for those wearing full dive gear. The beach club wasn’t maxed out, with a comfortable lounge along the centreline preferred to a big open area that is harder to secure. Beyond, though, the lower deck opens up into a huge 77 square metre gym and spa area, complete with massage room, beauty salon, sauna, shower areas and the yacht’s second plunge pool. Visual interest is added by banks of portholes with views into the swimming pool, which dapple light across this whole space. Choosing somewhere to relax on deck is slightly harder – where do you start? The options are endless but special mention has to be made of the wood-burning fire pit on the upper deck – perfect for nights on deck under the stars.

Disdale and his team were present in June 2009 when the boat appeared from the giant drydock in Hamburg. No butterflies – he claims to have been pretty zen about seeing her free of scaffolding and plastic. “Although you design every part of it and you see it being built, nothing prepares you for the feeling you get when you actually see it in the flesh. The tug pulled it out and there was the thickness of a mattress between the wing stations and the shed walls. Literally – they tied mattresses to the stations. When it appeared I was gobsmacked.” As was the owner, pleasingly for the man who’d dedicated nearly five years to the project.

“It’s like cars,” explains the car fanatic. “I was talking about Lamborghinis the other day. They used to have the Miura, a beautiful car. But they replaced it with the Countach, which looks like it was carved from cheese. One is ageless and one looks stuck in time. Elegance is the most important thing. The Miura is elegant, the Jaguar E-Type is elegant.” He’s too modest to say but Eclipse belongs in that league – beautiful for ever.

First published in the April 2016 edition of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.

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Designer Terry Disdale tells us about four and a half years of the world's third largest superyacht with a length of 162.5 meters and nine decks.

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Mom Pushes for Answers After Daughter Vanished from Boyfriend's Yacht 3 Years Ago: ‘What Happened?’

Sarm Heslop disappeared on a foreign island in 2021. Her boyfriend’s alleged actions in the aftermath only deepened her family’s fears of foul play

findsarm; Getty

It was March 2022, and Brenda Street was getting increasingly frustrated during her trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands to find out what happened to her daughter, Sarm Heslop, who had been missing for a year. 

Heslop, a 41-year-old flight attendant from Hertfordshire, England, was last seen in March 2021, within weeks of arriving in St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands to be with her new boyfriend Ryan Bane, who operated high-end cruises on his yacht, the Siren Song . The two had met on Tinder in June 2020 in Grenada and, after Heslop briefly left for Malta in the Fall, Bane asked that she return to be with him.

Courtesy Kate Owen

"I think she was starting to fall in love with him for sure. She loved to send photos of their adventures together," says Kate Vernalls, Heslop's best friend.

"I think she was excited as to what the future is going to hold," says Vernalls. "They're almost in paradise, aren't they?"

But things took a turn when Street received a call in the U.K. from Bane on March 8, 2021, claiming Heslop disappeared from his catamaran in the middle of the night. She has not been seen since. 

What started off as an adventure in paradise for Heslop has now become a three-year-long agonizing mystery for her friends and family. Soon after her disappearance, they began suspecting foul play, their concerns only deepening when they heard Bane allegedly refused to let local authorities into his yacht during their search for Heslop, according to a coast guard report reviewed by PEOPLE. (Bane's lawyer David Cattie says allegations that he did not let authorities into the yacht are "categorically false").

David Johnston, a private investigator working pro-bono for Heslop’s family, claims he has heard through his sources on the ground that Bane has since made several changes on his yacht, including allegedly refitting the freezer, fueling Johnston and Heslop's family's suspicion that Bane may have had a role in Heslop’s disappearance. 

Bane has never been charged in connection with the case.

While Street feels Bane has some questions to answer, she also maintains that the island police had failed to conduct a thorough investigation - including interviewing him.

"They've not done their job as police officers and they certainly haven't done their job as human beings," says Street.

A series of suspicious activities on the island following her disappearance has only added to Street's concerns. 

Following Heslop's disappearance, locals on the island had put up “MISSING” posters around the island. One day, Street claims to have received a photo showing someone had scribbled out the name of Bane’s yacht from a poster. 

During her visit, Street had a strange interaction with a local shop owner, she says. The shop-owner was eagerly chatting with Street – until she learned why Street was visiting. 

“Whereas the lady had been really friendly,” Street recalls, “it’s like she clammed up and wouldn’t say anything.” 

Authorities in St. John told PEOPLE an investigation is ongoing but did not provide further information.

Oakland County Sheriff/MEGA

Street wasn't always suspicious of Bane. During the initial stage of the investigation, she "gave him the benefit of the doubt," she says. That changed, she says, after she learned more about him.

Soon after Heslop's disappearance, she tried to contact Bane but claims her messages did not go through, which made her suspect he had blocked her. Cattie says he is unaware of Bane blocking any numbers.

After Heslop's story got out, Bane's ex-wife Corie Stevenson came forward alleging abuse during their marriage that she said had left her fearing for her life. He was convicted in that domestic battery case and sentenced to 31 days, according to court records reviewed by PEOPLE.

Stevenson immediately called the U.S. Virgin Islands police to tell them they should investigate Bane but, she contends, the police did not take her seriously.

While Heslop's friends and family continue their search, they do worry they may not find her alive.

"[Her] mom and dad have reluctantly come to the conclusion the Sarm is probably dead and [was] murdered by somebody," says Johnston. "So a significant change really from 'Find Sarm' to 'Justice for Sarm.'"

While they search for justice, Heslop's friends and family continue with activities that honor her memory. Her parents dedicated a bench in her name at a waterfront near where Heslop lived in Southhampton. Her friends gather for her birthday or on the anniversary of her disappearance to share stories and her favorite food.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for  PEOPLE's  free True Crime newsletter  for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Vernalls says if she hadn't gone missing, Heslop would probably continue her journey into the next adventure.

"She just would've done anything to continue traveling and she was fine with that," Vernalls says. "It didn't put any fear in her to go to new places."

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org . All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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Protesters rally, lawmakers brawl as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill

Thousands of Georgians protested on Monday and lawmakers came to blows as ruling party legislators looked set to advance a bill on "foreign agents" that has been criticised by Western and domestic critics as Russian-inspired.

Millions of people are traveling to see the total eclipse. Hotels, motels, and skydiving operators are making bank on it.

• Millions of tourists are expected to boost economies in Texas and New York during the eclipse.
• Hotels, an eyeglasses manufacturer, and even skydiving companies are preparing for increased business.
• One study predicted that the eclipse could benefit the US economy with nearly $1.6 billion.

As millions of Americans get ready to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday — an event NASA has described as rare and "spectacular" — the phenomenon stands to lift local economies.

Various industries are poised to benefit from the millions of tourists flocking to cities in Texas, Ohio, and New York , which are on the eclipse's "path of totality" and offer the best views of the ring around the sun.

According to NASA, this year's eclipse is set to last three to four minutes, longer than the last solar eclipse , in 2017. People who miss this one will not be able to see another in the contiguous US until 2044 or 2045, the agency said.

Up to 3.7 million people are set to travel to the path of the eclipse, joining the 31 million people already living along the stretch, according to predictions by the eclipse-tracking website Great American Eclipse .

Visitors are expected to spend big: They'll shell out up to $1.6 billion on lodging, activities, food, and gas, the Texas economic consultancy Perryman Group estimated .

Here are some of the industries seeing big boosts from Monday's eclipse.

Hotels and Airbnbs book out

The budget hotel chain Super 8 has over 300 locations within the path of totality, per The New York Times. About 100 of these hotels are sold out for Sunday or Monday, according to the chain's website.

One two-star Super 8 branch in Grayville, Illinois, is advertising rooms for between $765 and $950 from Sunday through Tuesday. On most days, the rooms typically cost $80, the Super 8 website shows.

Higher-end hotels are seeing similar spikes. A JW Marriott in Dallas listed a standard room for $1,039 for Sunday night. It typically costs between $355 and $482, the website said.

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Visitors are flocking to Airbnbs, too. As of March 25, occupancy rates for April 7 soared to 88% across 110,000 active listings on the path of totality, according to the vacation-rental-data company AirDNA.

The biggest glasses manufacturer has sold out

People can permanently damage their eyesight by looking straight into the sun during an eclipse, so NASA recommends specific solar-filtering glasses .

The eye-protection guidelines translated into huge sales for some glasses manufacturers.

Tennessee's American Paper Optics, the country's largest producer of protective eclipse eyeglasses, has seen a big jump in sales compared with the total eclipse in 2017.

The company started taking eclipse orders two years in advance, John Jerit, the company's founder, told NPR on Friday. The glasses sold for $1.50 to $2 apiece.

"We've shipped already about 70 million glasses, and I suspect I'm going to approach right at 75 million by the time next week comes," Jerit said.

American Paper Optics sold out of glasses this year after producing about 30 million more glasses than it did for the total solar eclipse in 2017, according to a sales figure on the company's site .

Eclipse skydiving attracts thrill seekers

Some adrenaline junkies seeking a novel vantage point are planning to jump during totality to enjoy the darkness from the sky.

A group of 30 skydivers plans to jump in northern New York on Monday, Fox News reported . Tickets for the dive, hosted by the local company Skydive the Falls, sold out in seven minutes after they went live in January.

"We're going to jump one minute prior to totality, so we can enjoy totality in full under our parachutes," Jason Berger, a co-owner of Skydive the Falls, told Fox News.

A similar event in Dallas sold out of its $250 eclipse skydive tickets, too.

For sun observers on the ground, restaurants are making the most of the celestial phenomenon with eclipse menus and specials. Establishments like Smoothie King, Applebee's, and Sonic are offering special eclipse-themed smoothies and margaritas, as well as "blackout" drinks to mark the occasion.

Watch: A small Australian town was treated to a rare hybrid solar eclipse

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5th Moscow Boat Show, March 20-25, 2012

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Written by Zuzana Bednarova

The 5th edition of the International exhibition of yachts and boats –  Moscow Boat Show , held from March 20 to 25, 2012 will be hosted by the first pavilion of Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre. This popular show is dedicated not only to the specialists of the market segment and professional sportsmen but also to those who consider sailing sport to be their hobby and well cherished dream.

The project is the result of joint efforts of the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre and the National Marine Industry Association. The event is supported by Aston Martin Moscow, Burevestnik Group logistics department and the Yachting specialized magazine. Moscow Boat Show is the largest project in Russia presenting all the best in the world of yachting.

The exhibition annually shows high level of attendance and has already proved as significant and noteworthy event in the world of yachts and boats. Every year new exhibitors join the list of participants, genuine “sharks” of yachting business, the quantity of visitors considerably increases and the exposition becomes more sated and diverse.

The best companies professionally involved into yachting and small navigation business – 180 exhibitors from 17 regions of the Russian Federation and 15 countries traditionally presented the best and the newest in the world of yachting at 2011 edition: from design and facilitation of vessels and up to cruising and training courses for beginning skippers. In 2011 the overall exhibit space comprised 18 000 sq m. More than 25 000 visitors came to the show.

This year the exposition space will increase up to 30 000 sq m and will be accommodated in 4 exhibition halls. The scale of the project confirms confident positions of its positive development. The organizers will try to arrange a genuine fiesta of water on land!

Quite a number of foreign exhibitors will participate in the show. Foreign companies show increasing interest to yachting business in Russia.

Moscow Boat Show provides the perfect platform from which to preview new products, evaluate market trends, and establish long-lasting and commercially profitable partnerships. Despite the dynamic changes taking place in Russia and the rapid growth of the yachting sector, the show continues to complement and reflect the industry’s demand and is a promotional opportunity not to be missed!

As its popularity and success rate has grown over the last years Moscow Boat Show 2012 has developed to incorporate more than just an exhibition. These special events serve to attract leading exhibitors and visitors and allow all participants the chance to broaden their knowledge and of course their sales potential.

Moscow Boat Show helps representatives of yachting business to get acquainted with their Russian colleagues and gradually improves national yachting market to a new level. It is obvious that for 4 years of its running the project has turned to a status event of the international exhibitions calendar. The organizers of the exhibition aim to bring together on the same platform all key national and worldwide players and to offer an excellent platform to encourage networking among specialists and visitors in order to accelerate the development in this field as well as implementing new technologies, the newest equipment, materials and components.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "5th Moscow Boat Show, March 20-25, 2012".

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The country's largest producer of eclipse glasses is located outside Memphis

Katie Riordan

Millions of people will be wearing glasses next week to watch the total solar eclipse, and it's likely they were made by a small business in Memphis.

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Millions are expected to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday, and they will all need specialty glasses to protect their eyes. Katie Riordan, from member station WKNO, visited the country's largest producer of eclipse glasses. It's located right outside Memphis.

(SOUNDBITE OF SCOTCH TAPE CRACKLING)

KATIE RIORDAN, BYLINE: On the factory floor at the American Paper Optics company, Greg Dyer is busy packing boxes and stuffing envelopes.

GREG DYER: This one's going to Springfield, Ill. This is 250 glasses.

RIORDAN: He fills orders from all across the country, both big and small.

DYER: They could be anywhere from 12 to 2,000.

RIORDAN: And much larger. Orders for eye protection for this eclipse started coming in as early as two years ago, says company founder John Jerit.

JOHN JERIT: We've shipped already about 70 million glasses, and I suspect I'm going to approach right at 75 million by the time next week comes.

RIORDAN: That's about 30 million more than the company made for North America's last total solar eclipse in 2017, when the path of totality covered less populated parts of the U.S. It's a lot of work for this small business, which is usually a top manufacturer of paper 3D glasses for other events and projects. In the lead up to this year's spectacle, they almost doubled their workforce to about 70 employees. Many of their glasses are branded for handouts with logos from big corporations, local libraries, even wedding parties and NASA. Some well-known figures will wear them, too.

JERIT: Here's Al Roker on a pair of glasses. He'll be using those in the "Today" show. Ohio State University bought 150,000 glasses. Coke in Atlanta gave a - is going to give away 100,000 glasses there.

RIORDAN: And while that kind of personal flair can attract the eye, what's most important is that the eyewear has a solar filter certified to an international standard.

SUSANNA KOHLER: They're more than a thousand times darker than sunglasses.

RIORDAN: Susanna Kohler is with the American Astronomical Society. It's compiled a list of vetted sources to buy from, including American Paper Optics. Be wary, she says, of fake and counterfeit glasses that can claim to meet the ISO standard but haven't been tested.

KOHLER: What you really want to be sure of is that your solar eclipse glasses came from a reputable manufacturer and a reputable vendor - that you didn't just go to Amazon and get whatever was cheapest, and you don't know what you've received.

RIORDAN: Of course, Jerit will wear a pair of his own glasses when he travels to nearby Arkansas to bask in totality for a few minutes and watch others, possibly wearing his product.

JERIT: The ultimate kumbaya moment. People are going to scream, dance, laugh. People are going to stand by themselves in silence. And it's going to be the most bipartisan moment of 2024.

RIORDAN: After all, most Americans will be able to view at least a partial eclipse with the right glasses.

For NPR News, I'm Katie Riordan in Memphis.

Copyright © 2024 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

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• We Went to America’s Biggest Aviation Expo. Here’s What We Saw.

Florida's largest convention isn't at Disney World but in nearby Lakeland, at the Sun 'n Fun annual extravaganza.

Julie boatman, julie boatman's most recent stories.

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Aircraft manufacturers debuted new models early in the week: This year, Piper showed off its speedy new turboprop, the 700 hp M700 Fury, and Cirrus presented its latest in the SR series, the G7, along with a concierge-style turnkey ownership program called Cirrus One. In the new program, Cirrus owners can select from a palette of options from maintenance and hangar services to training, or having a professional pilot to fly you where you want to go.

Daher updated its TBM 960 turboprop with a stunning new paint scheme and enhancements to the Home Safe automatic landing protocol that allows passengers to push a button and land at the nearest airport, if the pilot loses the ability to land.

One of the biggest unveils was the new Junkers A50 Heritage, a vintage-looking aluminum airplane that bears a striking resemblance to the original aircraft founder Hugo Junkers first flew 95 years ago. Last year, the Junkers A50 Junior headlined the show as it was officially launched into the U.S. market.

But, according to marketing manager Marshall Haglund, the Junior “was not faithful to the architect’s original form,” so the company designed the A50 Heritage. “We have meticulously captured the essence of Hugo Junkers’ imaginative and original design,” Haglund said during the unveiling.

But the new airplanes take a back seat every afternoon when the daily airshow begins, starting with a parachute drop of the American flag and crisscrossing warbird formations.

This week, spectators saw a Douglas C-47, Placid Lassie, that once flew over Normandy on D-Day, along with a four-engined Lockheed Constellation in a polished aluminum livery echoing the airliners of the 1950s and 60s. Current military platforms, such as the F-35A demo team, roared overhead to finish the daily lineup.

Aerobatic stars—like Mike Goulian in his Extra 330SC and Patty Wagstaff in her Extra 300LX—cut through the thick, hot Florida air doing aerial dance routines, wowing the crowd gathered in flightline tents and on blankets in the grass.

On Wednesday, the night airshow launched with the Titan Aerobatic Team, a quartet of T-6 radial piston airplanes that fly in tight formation with pyrotechnics streaming from their wingtips to light up the dark sky.

The evenings brought out another kind of display, the STOL (short takeoff and landing) Invitational, where ace pilots flying massively modified bush planes competed against each other for the shortest distance in which they could take off and land—often just a couple hundred feet.

Sun ’n Fun’s Aeronautical Center for Excellence hosted forums on technical subjects from welding to wiring for those who want to build their own aircraft. The Future ’n Flight Plaza featured a Career Fair, with airlines and aircraft manufacturers on hand to speak to high-school students looking for a career path in aviation.

Smith, who signed up for the Air Force at Sun ‘n Fun and worked as an Air Force mechanic for seven years, is part of the Fairfield KC135 Demo Team, which demonstrated refueling in flight. “Watching the planes and being around people really passionate about aviation makes me feel at home,” he said.

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