MV Mermaid I Liveaboard Features and Layouts

Click here for information on Mermaid 1's Thailand and Burma trips.

Master Cabin

Double-bed Deluxe Cabin

Twin-bed Deluxe Cabin

Deluxe Bathroom

Standard Cabins

Interior Saloon Area

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October 11, 2006, a message from Mermaid's Crew:

"The diving has been extraordinary in Komodo this year. We know where everything is! We dived with grey reef sharks and dolphins regularly this season, we understand the manta aggregations and have had many big number encounters, e.g. 10-25 mantas at one time! We dive all the famous sites offering our guests the best of the best during their cruise subject to tide conditions. We are doing more dives now at Sangeang Volcano for its amazing black sand environment, rare and unusual critters and under water hot springs. Cannibal Rock continues to be the treasure - we have had 12-15 different frogfish sightings, and up to 20 different types of nudibrancs in one day, including unpublished nudibranc sightings! We have pygmy sea horse on 9 different sites including the rare Hippocampus Denise. Big fish galore at the northern sites. Hunting giant trevally swoosh past so fast it makes a noise like a fast car exiting a tunnel! We've had loads of eagle ray sightings as well, white tip reef sharks, coral cat sharks, bamboo sharks--and we have even had special dugong sighting."

Sounds like it's time to go. New schedule for 2007 is up.

The Mermaid I was completed in early 2002 and she has added a whole new dimension to diving in the Andaman Sea. She is 94 feet (27 m) long, has a beam of 21 feet (7 m) and only takes 15 passengers on board, plus crew. She has a total of eight en suite, air-conditioned cabins; one master, one single, five deluxe and two budget.

She is of rugged steel construction and is powered by two Hino 510 HP engines giving her power to spare. She cruises at a steady 9 knots but can reach speeds of 12 knots when required. She has two 50 kW generators for plenty of reliable power for the air conditioning and other systems on the boat. She has large fresh water tanks so never has a water problem.

This boat was designed with comfort and practicality in mind. She has one master suite with sweeping views of the sea, and a single cabin for those of you who prefer their privacy. Four of her cabins have double beds that can be converted into twins or doubles when desired. The budget cabins are down below, have a wider twin and a bunk twin in each.

Prices will vary according to the cabin you prefer. See schedules and prices for more information.

A room with a view

All cabins offer well-decorated, comfortable en suite facilities. All heads have a sink with a cabinet below for storage, a vanity mirror, a toilet, and a shower with hot and cold running water. All cabins are air conditioned of course, and use a marine air conditioner for reliability and flexibility. You have control over the environment on this boat.

One of the most beautiful things about the cabins is that the master and deluxe all open outside to the side of the boat not only affording a beautiful view, but for fresh, non-conditioned air if you so choose. Air conditioning is really only necessary during the hotter months of the year, and on this boat we give you a choice. All of the cabins except the standard are on the main deck, closer to the water, so boat movement is felt less.

Interior charm

The interior saloon on Mermaid 1 is also fully air conditioned and tastefully decorated, like the rest of the boat, in teak trim. The furniture and other decorations are enhanced with a teak finish. The saloon is intelligently placed on the top deck, just behind the wheel house where the views are best. Directly behind the Saloon is an outdoor area with a comfortable couch and chairs protected from the sun and rain by a roof. Forward on the bow, we have an area designed for sun lovers. Here's the area to work on your tan when you're not diving or otherwise occupied.

Down one deck we find one of the most important parts of the boat, the dive deck and platform. On Mermaid 1 it is well laid out and very spacious, allowing plenty of room for the guests and crew to suit up without bumping into one another. The platform, at water level, is just a few steps down and features two stainless steel ladders with wooden steps for easy boarding after the dive.

Air Plus and Cameras too

The Mermaid 1 is one of the few boats to offer full Enriched Air or Nitrox on board. And, for those of you not yet Nitrox certified, we offer these courses right on board for your convenience. Newly finished is the camera handling area for the stern deck. This will make it much easier for you photographers to handle your gear easily and out of the air conditioning.

Electronics and communication

The boat is outfitted with the latest in electronic marine equipment including GPS and radar for safety and ease of navigation. We have VHF and SSB radios, a satellite phone, plus mobile telephone communications equipment. Safety equipment is all in place in case of an accident at sea including SOLAS-approved life rafts.

Unique itinerary

Mermaid 1 offers a six-day/ seven-night trip to Komodo, Rinca and the surrounding areas during the months between June and October, leaving from Benoa Harbor in Bali. The rest of the year she dives in Thailand and Burma.

New Services Just Added!

• Cushioned sun beds for every guest
• Lots of fluffy towels for bath and deck
• Bath mats and bathrobes
• Complimentary hair shampoo, shower cream, soap and tissues
• Hair dryers
• TV in every cabin, DVD players in master/single cabin and available on request in others
• Stocked mini bars in every cabin including chilled fresh drinking water
• Selection of fine wines
• Lots of ice for mixer drinks
• Yummy afternoon teas plus a big cookie barrel !
• DVD/CD burning
• 110 v adapters and lots of charging areas
• Multiple separate rinse tanks for cameras
• 32% and 36% Nitrox available plus EANX Nitrox dive courses
• New Underwater Digital Photographer course
• Souvenirs