MV Mermaid 1 Liveaboard Features and Layouts

Click here for information on Indonesia trips

Click here for some photos taken by Mischi Carter on Mermaid I, April 2005.

The Mermaid I liveaboard dive boat 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 standard.

Click the images for more photos

Master Cabin

Double-bed Deluxe Cabin

Twin-bed Deluxe Cabin

Deluxe Bathroom

Standard Cabins

Interior Saloon Area

Download PDF Brochure (~500kb)

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. Three of her cabins have double beds that can be converted into twins or singles when desired. Of the remaining two cabins, one has double bed accommodation and the other is a single cabin for those of you who prefer privacy.

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 they 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 (the standard cabins are below deck and do not offer a large window). Air conditioning is really only necessary during the hotter months of the year, and on this boat we give you a choice. The cabins 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 wheelhouse,where the views are best. Directly behind the saloon is an outdoor area with a comfortable couch 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.

Unique itinerary

The Mermaid 1 will offer an extremely flexible itinerary designed to take you diving where you want to go, when you want to go. The boat will be based in Phuket and the first leg of the trip will be in Thailand through the Similans and Surin Islands, ending in Ranong, just across the border from Burma. The second leg will spend five-days diving in the Mergui Archipelago (Burma), returning to Ranong. The final leg will be four-day back down through Thailand, ending in Phuket. So, for you die-hard divers, 13-day trips are possible and practical. For more information see Mermaid 1’s itinerary. We are able to offer this type of flexibility by using land transport rather than slow sea transportation. It’s a little complicated, but the system works well and is immensely practical. Click here for the itinerary information.

New Itinerary for 2006-2007

For the following season, beginning November 2006, the Mermaid I will change her itinerary to feature mostly 9-day/ 9-night trips beginning from Phuket, traveling up the coast diving in Thailand, then into Burma and back to Phuket again. This will simplify operations. Click here for complete details.

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

Mermaid 1 Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Upper deck	Main deck	Lower deck
Hover your mouse over the drawings to change the larger image

MV Mermaid 1 Technical Data