MS Ben-my-Chree
Encyclopedia
The MV Ben-my-Chree is a Ro-Pax vessel that is operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The vessel is the company's flagship.
The ship is registered in Douglas, Isle of Man
. She is the sixth vessel to carry the name.
of the Netherlands. She was brought around to the island
from Holland by the Captain Vernon Kinley.
The 'Ben' was the first new ship built for the company since 1976 and the sixth vessel to be called Ben-my-Chree. The vessel was launched on 4 April 1998 and entered service on Tynwald Day
(July 5), and at a gross tonnage of around 12,000, she was the largest ship to enter service with the company. The vessel received a lot of criticism due to her low passenger capacity of 500, (carrying no more than 350 per sailing), and the fact she had no open deck for passengers. The Company insisted this was a "comfort level" for the vessel's size. Since then, the island has come to warm to the vessel.
In 2004, the Ben-my-Chree received a major refit, which included a new passenger accommodation section, creating an open deck for passengers, and her stern door was modified. This refit now allowed the Ben-my-Chree to carry her full capacity of 630 pax. On 2 April 2008, the Ben-my-Chree went in for another refit, which included a new livery and internal refit. On 16 July 2008, the Ben-my-Chree completed 10 years of Manx service. On 25 July 2008, the Ben-my-Chree suffered a technical failure, with the Viking
taking her Heysham
sailing until she was repaired.
The Royal New Zealand Navy
multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury was based on Ben-my-Chrees design, and entered service in 2007.
Deck 7::
Deck 8:
The ship is registered in Douglas, Isle of Man
Douglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
. She is the sixth vessel to carry the name.
History of the Ben-my-Chree
The Ben-my-Chree was ordered in 1997 by Sea Containers for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, costing around £24 million. She was built by van der Giessen de NoordVan der Giessen de Noord
Van der Giessen de Noord was a shipyard that mainly built ferries, located in Krimpen aan den IJssel, a town in the western Netherlands. The yard was especially suited to the construction of large vessels due to its developed undercover facilities....
of the Netherlands. She was brought around to the island
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
from Holland by the Captain Vernon Kinley.
The 'Ben' was the first new ship built for the company since 1976 and the sixth vessel to be called Ben-my-Chree. The vessel was launched on 4 April 1998 and entered service on Tynwald Day
Tynwald Day
Tynwald Day is the National Day of the Isle of Man, usually occurring on 5 July.On this day the Isle's legislature, Tynwald, meets at St John's, instead of its usual meeting place, Douglas. The session is held partly in the Royal Chapel of St John the Baptist and partly in the open air on the...
(July 5), and at a gross tonnage of around 12,000, she was the largest ship to enter service with the company. The vessel received a lot of criticism due to her low passenger capacity of 500, (carrying no more than 350 per sailing), and the fact she had no open deck for passengers. The Company insisted this was a "comfort level" for the vessel's size. Since then, the island has come to warm to the vessel.
In 2004, the Ben-my-Chree received a major refit, which included a new passenger accommodation section, creating an open deck for passengers, and her stern door was modified. This refit now allowed the Ben-my-Chree to carry her full capacity of 630 pax. On 2 April 2008, the Ben-my-Chree went in for another refit, which included a new livery and internal refit. On 16 July 2008, the Ben-my-Chree completed 10 years of Manx service. On 25 July 2008, the Ben-my-Chree suffered a technical failure, with the Viking
HSC Viking
HSC Hellenic Wind is a high-speed craft owned by Hellenic Seaways, having previously being owned by Sea Containers.-Isle of Man Steam Packet Company:...
taking her Heysham
Heysham
Heysham is a large coastal village near Lancaster in the county of Lancashire, England. Overlooking Morecambe Bay, it is a ferry port with services to the Isle of Man and Ireland. Heysham is the site of two nuclear power stations which are landmarks visible from hills in the surrounding area...
sailing until she was repaired.
The Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury was based on Ben-my-Chrees design, and entered service in 2007.
Onboard Facilities
Deck 7:- Legend's Bar
- Coast-to-Coast Café
- Ocean Avenue Shop
- Junior Shipmates children's play area
Deck 7::
- Premium Lounge
- Executive Club Lounge
- Niarbyl Reserved Lounge
- Dog Lounge
Deck 8:
- Outside Deck
- Cabins
External links
- www.steam-packet.com
- www.ihcmerwede.com
- Ben My Chree - Passenger / Freight Ferry, ship-technology.com