Built by J and K Smits Scheepswerven in The Netherlands as an ocean-going salvage tug, formerly THAMES III, she is one of three sisterships built with only ITASCA still in existence. ITASCA was in commercial service until 1979, before being converted to a yacht where she has since earned her place in exploration yachting history having circumnavigated the world three times, including being one of the first yachts to pass through the Northwest Passage when owned by the former US Secretary of the Treasury, William E Simon.
The 66.25m Hampshire yacht (ex: Vanish) was built in 2016 by Feadship. She features an exterior design by Harrison Eidsgaard and an interior by Harrison Eidsgaard. She cruises at 12.0 kn and reaches a top speed of 18.5 kn. She can sleep up to 12 guests taken care of by a crew of 17.
The yacht was delivered to Russian businessman Roman Abramovich on 9 December 2010. At 162.5 metres (533 ft 2 in) long Eclipse was the world's largest private yacht The yacht's cost has been estimated at €340 million.