The Bassac I
See also the Bassac II, and our last addition to the flottilla, the Bassac III.
The Bassac I is entirely built of wood, from the hull of an 80-foot-long rice barge.
She can accommodate up to 12 passengers in six nicely decorated cabins, each with air-con and a private bathroom, and features a 100 sqft restaurant that opens all around, a large galley, a small office room and 700 sqft of sundeck.
The Bassac I can take her passengers on cruises up to seven days without stopping, and offers a great flexibility in programming your journey. She also is so powerful and has such a shallow draft as to be able to cruise upstream the Mekong or bring you to your destination regardless of the season, the tide or the current.
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Main technical characteristics |
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Flag |
Vietnam |
Class |
VR-SI, river cruiser |
Displacement |
107 metric tons |
Length |
80' / 24.40m |
Beam |
18' / 5.50m |
Draft |
4'10" / 1.50m half-loaded |
Propulsion |
Caterpillar 14,6 liters, 400 BHP, built to run 5000 hours per year |
Navigation |
Can operate by night and in bad weather |
Autonomy |
7 days cruise |
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Owing to its large new engine and revised hydraulics, the Bassac I can pull up to 10 knots and face the powerful Mekong, even facing strong currents.
As the Bassac I has a shallow draft, she can go through all the main waterways regardless of the tide.
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Layout |
6 cabins in the front of the main deck:
4 with twin bedding, 2 with a double bed. |
Services |
Heat and sound insulation in each cabin.
Air conditioning, private access.
En suite bathroom with shower and toilet |
The comfortable cabins are set in the front of the Bassac I and well insulated so as to provide the passengers with a good night's sleep even if under way.
They are entirely fitted with wood, and equipped as rooms in a good hotel.
Owing to a large heat exchanger on the main engine, the Bassac I produces enough hot water for many showers a day.
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Public areas |
Restaurant and bar |
The 250 square feet at the stern of the main deck accommodate the restaurant and the bar can be completely opened to outside for you to enjoy the evening. |
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Upper deck |
700 square feet, partly shaded.
The front is fit for sunbathing and rest on sunbathing couches;
The small bar at the back welcomes you for a drink outside as the sun sets.
Nearly all of the Bassac I is accessible to the public, including the galley, which is the right venue for Vietnamese cuisine workshops to take place.
Each passenger can opt to join with the group in one of the common rooms, or look for a place to stay by oneself.
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Utilities |
Energy |
Overall power production capacity: 20 kVA, and according to Vietnam's power standard 220V, 50Hz.
1 heat exchanger on the main engine for hot water. |
All electrical services are available at any time, as well as hot water.
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Water |
6 metric tons of fresh water on board
on board water treatment plant for river water use
on-board septic tank for environment-friendliness |
The Bassac I features a fresh water autonomy of about a week, with a large store and the capability to produce its own water.
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Safety |
Smoke detectors in all cabins, fire fighting pump, fire hose, sprinklers;
Fire extinguishers: CO2 and powder;
Safety jackets for all the board, safety buoys, longboat.
Fire-retardant walls, heat and sound insulation in the engine room. |
Safety was first throughout the design and construction of the Bassac I, as it comes first during your trip.
Access to the board is especially designed to allow passengers with a slight mobility impediment to safely board the Bassac I.
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