Worlds largest yacht

Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire who owns Chelsea Football club, is getting himself a new yacht. It will be the largest privately owned yacht in the world.

The ?Eclipse?, currently taking shape at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, is expected to boast two helicopter landing pads, three launches, several hot tubs, a private cinema, a swimming pool and a submarine. It will require a crew of at least 50.

Some of these features appear on the yachts of other billionaires, but the size of the Eclipse is unprecedented. Informed sources say it will be 170 metres long, edging out what is currently the world?s biggest yacht, ?Dubai?, the 162 metre floating pleasure palace owned by Sheikh Maktoum, the emirate?s ruler.

The ?Eclipse? is expected to carry a miniature submarine, which could be an escape vehicle for Abramovich and his wife Irina in the event of onboard danger.