The KLM Cheng Ho

The Cheng Ho is the largest vessel in our fleet. She is available for any of our scheduled voyages for divers who have a group of 18 people or more. With a length of 49 meters, a beam of 11 meters, three decks and 13 cabins, plus modern equipment and conveniences this liveaboard offers total comfort and plenty of room for even the largest group of divers.

The Cheng Ho is a Pinisi Schooner named after the famous Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat and fleet admiral who played an important part in Asia's maritime history. Years before Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean looking for a water route to Asia he was exploring the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific.

Indonesian Pinisi Schooners are made from locally-grown timber (Ironwood & Teak amongst others) according to a tradition that dates back to long before Portuguese colonists reached the area. The KLM Cheng Ho combines this traditional craftsmanship with modern conveniences, providing our guests with luxurious comfort even in the remotest waters of Indonesia.

Vessel Specifications

The Cheng Ho is a customised Pinisi (Bugis) Schooner constructed in 2002. Blending in perfectly with the environment, these boats are the most impressive fleet of wooden sailing vessels still in regular commercial work and perfectly suited to long range liveaboard scuba diving expeditions. Constructed with three decks the Cheng Ho gives you plenty of space to lose oneself; whether it is in the air-conditioned comfort of the large saloon or on the decks under the shade of one of the ship's huge sails.

Type: Phinisi Schooner	Hull: Ulin Wood (Iron Wood)	Gross Tonnage: 253 GT	Cruising Speed: 6-8 Knots
Length: 49 Metres (160 Feet)	Beam: 11 Metres (36 Feet)	Draft: 3.5 Metres (11.5 Feet)	Fuel Capacity: 40 Tons
Main Engine: 447hp Yanmar Marine Diesel	Generators: 1x25kw, 1x40kw, 2x60kw	Water Capacity: 50 Tons	Desalinator: 10 Tons/Day

Safety Equipment

4 Units Inflatable Life Rafts
80 Life Belts
12 Life Buoys
Smoke Detectors in each cabin
Fire Hoses & Hydrants
C02 & Powder Fire Extinguishers

Dive Support Equipment

3 x Lenhardt & Wagner E450 Air Compressors
1 x Atlas Copco Nitrox Blending Unit
1 x Fibreglass Dive Tender - 2 x 40 hp
2 x Aluminium Dive Tenders - 2 x 40 hp
1 x 9 Cylinder Air Bank System

Accommodation

2 x Below Deck Twin [Capacity: 2 pax/cabin]
2 x Below Deck Double [Capacity: 2 pax/cabin]
2 x Below Deck Single [Capacity: 1 pax/cabin]
4 x Main Deck Single [Capacity: 1 pax/cabin]
3 x Bridge Deck Stateroom [Capacity: 2 pax/cabin]

Navigation & Communication

1 x Faruno Chart Plotter with GPS
1 x Magellan GPS
1 x Koden Radar
1 x Koden Echo Sounder
1 x VHF + 1 x SSB Radios
1 x Satellite Phone

Very importantly the liveaboard is comprehensively refitted during an annual dry docking at the beginning of the year plus regular maintainance is carried out throughout the year to ensure that the vessel is always seaworthy.