Anjodi barge

MS Anjodi barge is a luxurious hotel barge (cruise ship) built in 1929 (in Groningen Holland) as a cargo barge for shipping grain. In 1982, the vessel was drydock refitted as a hotel barge. Currently, the ship is owned by European Waterways and operated on Canal du Midi cruises (southwestern France) on the route between Marseillan (Herault department) and Le Somail (Aude department).

In 1963, the hotel barge got the name Anjodi after the three kids of the original owner, Tiemen de Weerd, named Andries, Johan, and Diana. The ship is constructed of Dutch steel - iron, with high copper content, that contributed to her longevity. In 1982, Anjodi was bought in Amsterdam by Derek Banks from a Dutchman, Fopa de Jong, for GBP 5,500. The vessel was then a retired trading barge, full of old WW2 aircraft instruments.

During 1982-1983, European Waterways transformed the trade vessel to one of the first-ever luxury hotel barges in France at the cost of GBP 100,000. Prior to making the 3-month trip from the Netherlands to the south of France, the ship was towed to a Belgium shipyard where generators, tanks for freshwater, plumbing and wiring were installed and shell infrastructure of steel was constructed. The barge was refitted again in 1997 and 2008.

Currently, the ship Anjodi has 4 passenger staterooms (with en-suite bathrooms) and a bar saloon. Crews quarters are located in the bow and stern. Anjodi has just 4 crew members: Captain, First Mate (matelot/tour guide), chef, hostess. The Captain must have at least 2 years experience as the first mate and possess a French certificate of competency. The hotel barge has load capacity 3000 L (fuel), 10000 L (water) and 1200 L (greywater/sewage).

An interesting fact is that Anjodi boat was featured in the BBC Series about Chef Rick Stein’s 6-week cruise from Bordeaux to Marseille along Canal du Midi and Canal de Garonne. Famous passengers who have sailed on the barge Anjodi include Rod Stewart (UK singer).

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