The Bassac II
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 See also the Bassac I, the original Bassac ship, and our last addition to the flottilla, the Bassac III.
The Bassac II is entirely built of wood in a hull of gỗ sao, the now rare essence of wood used traditionally used for building quality ships.
She can accommodate up to 24 passengers in twelve nicely decorated cabins, each with air-con and a private bathroom, and features a 500 sqft restaurant that opens all around, a large galley, a small office room and 1500 sqft of upper deck, mostly covered.
The Bassac II 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-SII, river cruiser |
Displacement |
190 metric tons |
Registered Tonnage |
237 GRT |
Length |
105' / 32m |
Beam |
25' / 7.80m |
Draft |
4'2" / 1.30m half-loaded |
Propulsion |
2 Cummins 12 liter atmospheric engines designed for 5000 hours operating a year. |
Navigation |
Can operate by night and in bad weather |
Autonomy |
7 days cruise |
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Owing to its large engines and specially designed hydraulics, the Bassac II can pull up to 12 knots and go upstream the powerful Mekong, even facing strong currents.
As the Bassac II has a shallow draft, she can go through all the main waterways regardless of the tide.
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Layout |
8 cabins in the front of the main deck:
6 with twin bedding, 2 with a double bed.
2 small double-bedded cabins on the upper deck
2 large double-bedded cabins in the front of the hull. |
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 II or on the upper deck 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 engines, the Bassac II produces enough hot water for many showers a day.
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Public areas |
Restaurant and bar |
The 500 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 |
1500 square feet, mostly shaded.
The front is fit for sunbathing and rest on sunbathing couches;
The bar at the back welcomes you for a drink outside as the sun sets.
Most of the Bassac II 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: 2x35 kVA, and according to Vietnam's power standard 220V, 50Hz.
A large isobaric water heater. |
All electrical services are available at any time, as well as hot water.
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Water |
10 metric tons of fresh water on board
on board water treatment plant for river water use
on-board septic tanks for environment-friendliness |
The Bassac II 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, redundant fire fighting pumps, three monitors with fire hoses;
Fire extinguishers: CO2 and powder;
emergency lighting and alarm on a separate source of power
Safety jackets for all the board, safety buoys, rafts, longboat.
Fire-retardant walls, heat and sound insulation in the engine room. |
Safety was first throughout the design and construction of the Bassac II, 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 II.
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