A handful of blog posts and traditional media are reporting about the privacy-protection methods that Eclipse, the world’s largest yacht, employ. Between Eclipse being incredibly large – anywhere from 509 to more than 550 feet, depending on the source – and her reported owner being Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, rumors are no surprise. However, the reports that Eclipse has anti-paparazzi lasers take the cake.
These reports seem to have originated with a story in The Times in England. They claim that Eclipse features photo-eclipsing technology. Specifically, it says, infrared laser scanners onboard can detect the cameras’ electronic light sensors when photographers point their lenses toward the yacht. These scanners then immediately overwhelm the cameras. Essentially, the result is a white-out, ruining not just the photo but also the cameras.
The Times has published a few incorrect articles about Eclipse, and other yachts for that matter. I therefore dismissed the claim that Eclipse has anti-paparazzi lasers when I read about it. But, because a number of Web sites have picked it up, the concept has gone viral. So, I decided to do a little digging. I’ve concluded that this so-called anti-paparazzi technology does not exist, at least on the scale of what the reports indicate. In addition, according to one photographer I spoke with, who consulted a photographic expert herself, even if it did, it would ruin more than just the photo. In fact, lasers of that power would blind the photographers.
Consider, too, a legal battle would ensue if anyone, paparazzi or otherwise, became blind after simply taking a photo in public.
Megayacht owners face accusations at times of being pretty focused on themselves. In this case, though, it is highly unlikely Abramovich has taken leave of his senses. Ultimately, if he does indeed have some type of photo-thwarting technology onboard, it probably is the same as what’s aboard his other yachts: plain old really bright lights.
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