The Bassac [up]
![The Bassac II on Măng Thít early morning [Picture] The Bassac II on Măng Thít early morning](/CR/B2_matin.jpg)
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
![A cabin on board [picture] A cabin on board](/CR/Bassac_cabin.jpg)
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
![Bathroom on board the Bassac [picture] Bathroom on board the Bassac](/CR/Bassac_sdb.jpg)
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.
![Bassac III exit routes [picture] Bassac III exit routes](/CR/Bassac3_exit_3D.jpg)
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 Bassac I en route on Cổ Chiên river [Picture] The Bassac I en route on Cổ Chiên river](/CR/Bassac_shades.jpg)
Bassac I is now retired
It did a great work over the years, establishing us as the reference in overnight discovery cruises along the Mekong delta.
It is now available for sale. contact us.
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 CO |
Floatation devices |
Longboat, life vests, buoys w/wo lifeline |
Bassac II [up]
![The Bassac II at anchor on Măng Thít river [Picture] The Bassac II at anchor on Măng Thít river](/CR/B2_profil_bleu_MSL.jpg)
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
![Marine cabin, on the work deck of Bassac II [Image] Marine cabin, on the work deck of Bassac II](/CR/marine_cabin.jpg)
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 CO |
Floatation devices |
Longboat, life vests, buoys w/wo lifeline |
Bassac III [up]
![The Bassac III entering Cần Thơ [Picture] The Bassac III on a test run prior to commissioning](/CR/Bassac3_CaiKhe.jpg)
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 CO |
Floatation devices |
Longboat, life vests, buoys w/wo lifeline |