Eclipse – The World’s Most Expensive Private Yacht
In the world of soccer, Roman Abramovich is a popular figure as he owns the leading English club, Chelsea. The Russian businessman helped the Blues to become a big spender in the transfer market, bringing brilliant players like Arjen Robben, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres etc. to offer the beautiful game for the club supporters across the world.
As well as the Chelsea football team, which is a beauty in soccer fields, Abramovich owns another marvel: a private yacht named ‘Eclipse.’
The 162.5m-long beauty, Eclipse, is the world’s second-largest and one of the most expensive superyachts. With an estimated cost of 590 million (€340 million), the Eclipse has been owned by its current owner since December 2010.
A synonym for luxury, this superyacht is best suitable for all adventure and water sports activities in addition to providing splendid trips to cultural and historical destinations.
Built by renowned German shipbuilder Blohm + Voss, the Eclipse was launched in June 2009 after a total of five years of design, development and testing. Before its final delivery, several sea trials were done starting in May 2009 at Kristiansand, Norway.
When delivered, Eclipse won the spot for the largest superyacht in the world, beating 162m-long M/Y Dubai of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. Eclipse retained the title until the arrival of 180m-long Azzam, the private yacht of UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in 2013. Currently managed by Blue Ocean Yacht Management, Eclipse was selected as the Motor Yacht of the Year in 2011 at the World Superyacht Awards.
Specifications of Eclipse Yacht
As mentioned earlier, this tremendous superyacht measures 162.5m (533’1″ft) in length, 22.00m (72’2″ft) in width and 5.90m (19’4″ft) in the draft offering a huge area for luxurious leisure activities. The Bermuda-flagged, Lloyds Register class yacht has a Gross Tonnage of 13000 tonnes.
Offering the latest propulsion technology for maximum speed performance, Eclipse is powered by a diesel-electric, dual propulsion system with four MTU 20V 1163 TB93 marine diesel engines. These engines power the rotating Azipod drives, providing the yacht with a maximum speed of 25 knots and a cruise speed of 22 knots. Featuring 1,000,000 litres of fuel tanks, Eclipse can travel up to 6,000 nautical miles at 21 knots before refuelling. The boat also has the capacity to store about 150,000 litres of freshwater abroad.
Interior and Exterior Design
While the naval architecture was provided by Blohm + Voss, the superstructure design of the Eclipse was carried out by Terence Disdale Design. The UK-based award-winning firm was also responsible for interior design, deck layouts as well as construction supervision.
Incidentally, the construction of the vessel was performed with great secrecy and, due to this reason, the project was named as Project Luxury Yacht M 147 throughout the construction period. However, the details of technical design and construction of the yacht have not been revealed to the public, the design and layout are available for people to marvel at.
Divided into nine decks, the top deck of Eclipse is taken up by the helicopters and garage. The swimming pool and sundeck go on level eight, while level seven features a pool, atrium and an open deck. The salon, main dining hall and a 40ft X 60ft full-beam loggia are located on the sixth level and the fourth floor features the main entrance of the yacht. While the next level of the yacht divides the cabins and suites of the owner, guests and the crew, the second deck of the vessel acts as a docking port for the submarine. And, level one accommodates the engine room, machinery and a small disco club.
The superyacht that comes with a displacement steel hull has an aluminium superstructure, while its decks become magnificent, featuring teak woods. In order to offer a smooth cruising experience, the yacht features an ultra-modern stabilization system that minimises roll motion effect and is equipped with ‘at anchor stabilisers’ to increase comfort when the boat is stationary. Featuring the Art Deco interior design, with an innovative, technology-rich environment and the use of soft metallic fabrics, Eclipse offers a splendid living experience for its owner. With diverse facilities across the decks, the yacht meets the optimum standard in offering a platform for spending leisure time.
Amenities
The entire yacht has been bejewelled with features to make it more luxurious. Spread across a number of decks, the facilities abroad Eclipse includes a gym, dance floor, underwater lights, beach club, wifi connection, beauty salon, tender garage and deck jacuzzi etc. Further, the Eclipse holds two helipads and a 16 m swimming pool that can be converted into a dance floor. This motor yacht is capable of accommodating three helicopters, two on both helipads and the third one in a storage hangar located below the foredeck. Moreover, Eclipse also flaunts internal lifts, six tenders and an exterior fireplace on-board. The boat also features a place for a three-person private submarine that can go up to a depth of 160ft.
Eclipse is also one of the most technologically advanced yachts around the world. The boat boasts the latest technology safety features which include motion sensors, bulletproof glass and antiballistic missile defence. In fact, each cabin in the yacht comes with a private 6ft home cinema screen, a Jacuzzi, spa and specialized security systems. According to reports, Eclipse has an anti-paparazzi system that detects the use of digital cameras to click photographs of the boat. Using lasers, the system detects digital cameras and disrupts a potential photograph of the yacht as those infrared lights can make it unstable.
Accommodation
The yacht holds 11 staterooms and suites, making the living area a total of 6000 square feet. With this facility, Eclipse can house 30 guests and a 92 member staff crew abroad. The master suite, located on level five of the yacht, alone is spread over an area of 5000 square feet. In addition, the boat also has a pilothouse on level seven.
With all these facilities incorporated, the maintenance of the Eclipse is not a less expensive matter. An annual expense of over $60 million is reportedly required to maintain this luxury boat. According to media reports, Abramovich charges around £175,000 from its customers to rent the vessel for a day.
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