Eclipse 2.0

The previous owner made sure it was safe. The ship was equipped with a $50 million air defence system, armoured windows and a mini submarine. A true safe-space, but only for a select few! In its original version, the Eclipse was available to an elite group of the oligarch’s close friends – a maximum of 62 guests. They had at their disposal everything a billionaire could wish for, from a grand cinema room to a beauty salon, and 70 crew members waiting to cater to their every whim.

As a result of the sanctions imposed on Russian oligarchs after this country launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the yacht was seized in the Baltic Sea by international forces.

For several months, the Eclipse had been moored in the port of Gdynia, but at the Robin Hood Travel Agency we felt it was high time to change that. We applied to take it over to create a floating mental support centre. Our request was granted and so we began the transformation of the ship into the first facility of its kind. In 2021, the yacht was burning gasoline at a cost of $3,000 per hour. We have been able to change that and switch to green energy. We sold off the luxury furnishings on the Russian equivalent of eBay – Molotok.ru. Furniture made from the rarest species of trees and works of art used on the yacht as signposts reached such exorbitant prices in online auctions that it allowed us to create a method of financing both the yacht’s refurbishment and the participants’ travels.

Who is our target audience?

Eclipse 2.0. invites people from Ukraine to join us for a month-long leisure and therapeutic cruise. Anyone who is struggling with mental disorders caused by the Russian invasion, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression, can participate for free in a voyage aimed to bring relief and alleviate mental suffering. We offer a safe space to rest and reflect on your needs and future. We guarantee many sunsets, proximity to nature and the company of dolphins. The brave can learn to surf!

ATTENTION: Alcohol consumption is prohibited during the trip.

Our vessel can accommodate Ukrainians of all ages and genders, regardless of religion, language or net worth. Bring along your children, family members, partners, friends, both human and non-human. You can also come alone, which will allow you to fully focus on self-improvement. To support the healing and recovery processes, a team of experienced doctors and therapists will prepare a plan based on individual needs and preferences.

A special algorithm helps us to test multiple simulations of your stay on the yacht to choose the best possible scenario. When planning each cruise, we create a new configuration to optimise the group experience, while ensuring the participants’ autonomy and freedom. At the same time, you can take a break from having to make decisions. Tired of having to make decisions? Don’t worry, everything will be decided for you. Would you like to come with us? Yes. When? Soon. We’ll analyse your plans for the next year and choose the best time. With whom? Based on a character study, we will select a set of people to accompany you on your journey.

For adult participants, medical marijuana, experimental ketamine, MDMA and psilocybin therapies will be available on board after consultation with specialists.

Epilogue

Eclipse 2.0 is a fictional project of transformation of Roman Abramovich’s yacht into a floating war trauma treatment centre.

Sanctions against Russian oligarchs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have also targeted their luxury assets, including superyachts. Many of these have been requisitioned and European governments must now decide what to do with them.

Concern for the citizens’ mental wellbeing is fundamental to preserving the vitality of a society facing the need to rebuild the country and plan for a post-war future.

According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, more than 700,000 people have sought psychological and psychiatric help since 24 February 2022.

Millions of Ukrainians live in constant stress and anxiety. The Russian Federation seeks not only to destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, but also to deprive its citizens of the energy to live. Despite the constant threat and pressure from a stronger enemy, Ukrainians are not giving up. For the past nine months, they have been fighting on the frontline or struggling for their daily lives in the reality of war. Some volunteer to defend their country, while others continue to do their pre-war work. Sooner or later, every person will feel the stigma of war affect their mental health. It is estimated that 22% of the population currently living in areas affected by the conflict will have some form of mental health problems in the next 10 years – with one in ten already suffering from moderate to severe disorders, such as depression with suicidal thoughts or psychosis.

No one has been taught from childhood to live in the reality of war, so the hu- man body cannot cope with the daily pressures that build up every minute. Our bodies’ ability to survive and regenerate its resources is limited. We are far from assuming that people are normally happy and only the course of history disturbs them. Rather, we believe that suffering is part and parcel of normal life, which is why we want to enable as many people as possible to gain the skills to achieve peace of mind in everyday life.

Eclipse 2.0 does not yet exist, but you can get free psychological help at the address below. If you are a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist and want to support people from Ukraine, you can volunteer at https://psyhelp.info.

[The project and texts were created in March 2023 – ed.]