Abramovich money props up UK Navy

29 Feb, 2008 02:22 / Updated 16 years ago

Britain's Royal Navy has started training crews to man the luxury yachts of the rich and famous and one of their first clients is reportedly Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. He owns one of the world's largest private yachts.

According to the Wall Street Journal the crew have already undergone a course on fire fighting and emergency procedures. The Navy is training butlers, skippers and stewards to serve on the billionaire's exclusive boats. The head of the programme says the Royal Navy needs the money since the government reduced its budget.