Last October, we got the specifics of the 550-foot, $400 million yacht that Chelsea owner/Russian billionaire/likely Bond villain Roman Abramovich was building: it would be the largest yacht in the world, and it would be equipped with missile defense radar, miniature escape submarine, private security force, two helipads, and a disco.  Now that it’s actually built and in the water, the total cost reached a little over $500 million.  But it’s, um, tax deductible?

The son of Jewish parents, Abramovich began his business career selling plastic ducks from a grim Moscow apartment but, within a few years, his vast wealth spread from oil conglomerates to pig farms.

Russia’s richest man has flourished under president Vladimir Putin, with critics saying he used his government ties to take over former state-owned assets and reap the profits for personal use…

Abramovich reportedly lost up to £13billion in the global financial crisis, but he was already in the process of having his biggest-ever yacht built.

Somehow I don’t think Abramovich was sweating defaulting payment on the world’s largest yacht.  Oh,  he has the payment.  Yes, he has the payment right here in this briefcase.  Can you just show him how the death ray he asked for works?  He wants to make sure it’s operational before he pays in full.

|via Rumors and Rants|

Roman Abramovich, the shady Russian billionaire who owns soccer powerhouse Chelsea, is building his fourth yacht, a $400-million armored fortress with helipad, deployable submarine, floating harbor (aka “well deck”), and missile defense radar.  At 550 feet long, it will be the largest yacht in the world.  And also the awesomest.

The yacht will include radar equipment designed to warn the crew of incoming rockets, together with bullet-proof windows and armour plating on the bridge and around the 41-year-old Russian tycoon’s cabin.

There will be twin helicopter pads and anti-bugging equipment, while the crew of 70 will include former SAS and Special Boat Service personnel… Abramovich’s yacht will also have cabins for 24 guests as well as a cinema, aquarium, disco and hospital.

And an arena for monkey knife fights.  Stripper pole in every room.  24-carat gold toilet.  Plus a secret sub-basement for torture/bondage sex or the imprisonment of meddling journalists, rogue federal agents, captured assassins, and various personal enemies.  And hey, who’s to rule out torture/bondage sex with imprisoned meddling journalists and captured assassins?  International waters, baby.

[Gizmodo]