The Bassac boats

The Bassac [up]

The Bassac are three elegant rides sharing the same standards and mostly differing in size.

Traditional ship construction

All three Bassac are built of wood according to the tradition of the rice barges of the Mekong delta, with amendments where safety standards require.

Bassac I actually once was a rice barge, which TransMékong bought and overhauled into the cozy cabin cruiser it is today, and although Bassac II and III are entirely new hull designs, more adapted to their present purpose, they were built with the same craftsmanship and according to the same tradition.

Cabins

The cabins feature soundproofed partitions and double glazing to protect the passengers' sleep from the noises of the river. These partitions are also heat insulated and meant to slow fire in case of an emergency. The access to outside is immediate.

The cabins are scented by Laurent Séverac, perfumer in Hanoi.

We have air-conditioning in all the cabins, with split systems to allow for a quiet night --indeed the boat's equipment themselves are quiet even though some must run all night long.

Utilities and services on board

The Bassac all offer 24-hour power and air-conditioning in cabins fitted with fire detection and fire fighting. A bathroom en suite with every cabin offers hot and cold water all the time.

The galley is suitable to serve refined meals and uphold the best sanitary standards, even for groups of up to twice the bedding capacity of the ship.

Layout principles

The passengers can enjoy privacy on board, as the layout allows the crew to be discreet and offers several living areas so that different groups may make the journey their own.

Wide access to outside while still retaining the capability to serve even in bad weather guarantee a good experience of the Mekong delta.

Their layout and structure make the Bassac quiet enough to allow the passengers to sleep while the ship is under way.

Safety

Safety comes first in the design and operation of the ships. Floatation devices are available for all on board and more, redundant alarm and fire detection as well as redundant fire fighting means are present on all the Bassac.

The handrails all around the ship are sturdy and a mesh of rope prevents any kids from falling.

Upon boarding, the passengers are informed of the areas that are open or off-limits to them, and instructed about emergency situations, how to give the alarm and where to meet.

Bassac I [up]

The original Bassac, built in the hull of a rice transporting barge, is a snug ship sized right for a family excursion or a group of friends, who will love to appropriate it for the duration of their journey.

Bassac I is a green ship. It treats its waste water and recycles the waste heat from the engine. It is qualified as a first-class river vessel VR-SI.

Maximum 12 passengers
4 Twin, with private access and en suite bathroom 2 Double, slightly smaller, with private access and en suite bathroom

24m long, all wood, two passenger decks
Dining room and bar on the main deck
Sundeck at the front upper deck
Dining area at the rear upper deck

detailed specs

Ship	Bassac I
Flag	Việt Nam
Class	VR-SI river cruiser
Displacement	115 metric tons
Length overall	80' / 24m
Beam	18' / 5.50m
Draft	5'4" / 1.80m at half-load
Propulsion	Caterpillar 6L, 14.6l, 400BHP
Navigation	Can operate by night and in bad weather
Autonomy	7 days cruise
Power
Power production	2 x 20kVA
Standard	220V, 50Hz
Availability	24 hours a day
Alternate power	Heat exchanger on the engine for hot water
Water
Availability	24 hours a day
Stored water	6 metric tons
Source	City water
	Automatic decantation and filtration system with UV lamp
Safety
Fire detection	Smoke detectors in all cabins
Fire fighting	Sprinklers in all cabins
	Redundant pumping system, w/wo electrical power
	Fire hydrants, hoses and lances
	Fire extinguishers, ABC powder and CO2
Floatation devices	Longboat, life vests, buoys w/wo lifeline

Bassac II [up]

The Bassac II was designed in-house by TransMékong to meet the demands of river discovery cruises. It harbors redundant propulsion and power generator; river water and waste water treatment, and a professional galley. The Bassac II is registered to navigate into Cambodia.

With a large covered upper deck, a lounge and wide gangways, it is comfortable and can host a meal for the passengers of two ships. Access on board is broad and steady, and elderly or partly disabled passengers are safe.

Maximum 20 passengers
4 Twin, main deck, with private access and en suite bathroom
4 Double, main deck, with private access and en suite bathroom
2 Double, upper deck, with en suite bathroom

32m long, all wood, two passenger decks
Dining room and bar on the main deck
Lounge cum dining room on the upper deck
Shaded dining area on the rear upper deck
Sundeck on the front upper deck

detailed specs

Ship	Bassac II
Flag	Việt Nam
Class	VR-SII river cruiser
Displacement	230 metric tons
Registered tonnage	237 GRT
Length overall	105' / 32m
Beam	25' / 7.80m
Draft	4'2" / 1.30m at half-load
Propulsion	2 x Cummins 6L, 12l atmospheric engines, 290BHP, 5000 hours per year
Navigation	Can operate by night and in bad weather
Autonomy	7 days cruise
Power
Power production	2 x 35kVA
Standard	220V, 50Hz
Availability	24 hours a day
Water
Availability	24 hours a day
Stored water	12 metric tons
Source	Automatic decantation and filtration system with UV lamp
	City water
Safety
Fire detection	Smoke detectors in all cabins
Fire fighting	Redundant pumping system, w/wo electrical power
	Fire hydrants, hoses and lances
	Fire extinguishers, ABC powder and CO2
Floatation devices	Longboat, life vests, buoys w/wo lifeline

Bassac III [up]

The Bassac III was designed in-house by TransMékong and built very similar to the Bassac II, with its lot of small improvements, of which a bar in the rear upper deck.

With a large covered upper deck, a panoramic lounge and wide gangways, it is comfortable and can host a meal for the passengers of two ships. Access on board is broad and steady, and elderly or partly disabled passengers are safe.

Maximum 24 passengers
6 Twin, main deck, with private access and en suite bathroom
2 Double, main deck, with private access and en suite bathroom
4 Double, upper deck, with en suite bathroom

32.6m long, all wood, two passenger decks
Dining room and bar on the main deck
Lounge cum dining room on the upper deck
bar on the upper deck
Shaded dining area on the rear upper deck
Sundeck on the front upper deck

detailed specs

Ship	Bassac III
Flag	Việt Nam
Class	VR-SI river cruiser
Displacement	230 metric tons
Length overall	108' / 33m
Beam	25' / 7.80m
Draft	4'2" / 1.20m at full load
Propulsion	2 x Cummins 6L, 12l turbocharged engines, 290BHP, 5000 hours per year
Navigation	Can operate by night and in bad weather
Autonomy	7 days cruise
Power
Power production	2 x 40kVA
Standard	220V, 50Hz
Availability	24 hours a day
Water
Availability	24 hours a day
Stored water	12 metric tons
Source	Automatic decantation and filtration system with UV lamp
	City water
Safety
Fire detection	Smoke detectors in all cabins
Fire fighting	Redundant pumping system, w/wo electrical power
	Fire hydrants, hoses and lances
	Fire extinguishers, ABC powder and CO2
Floatation devices	Longboat, life vests, buoys w/wo lifeline

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