MS Ben-my-Chree

MS Ben-my-Chree in Douglas Harbour
Career
Name:	Ben-my-Chree
Namesake:	Manx: Girl of my Heart
Owner:	Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
Operator:	Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
Port of registry:	1998-present:Douglas, Isle of Man
Route:	Douglas - Heysham
Ordered:	1997
Builder:	van der Giessen de Noord, Netherlands
Yard number:	971
Laid down:	1997
Launched:	1998
Commissioned:	1998
Homeport:	Douglas, Isle of Man
Identification:	IMO number: 9170705
General characteristics
Tonnage:	12,747 GT
Length:	125.2 metres
Beam:	23.4 metres
Draught:	5.8 metres
Propulsion:	Two x MAK 9L32
Speed:	19.5 knots
Capacity:	Passenger and crew: 636 Cars: 275

The MS 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.

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 Noord of the Netherlands. She was brought around to the island from Holland by the late 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 April 4, 1998 and entered service on Tynwald Day (July 5), and at around 12,000 GRT, 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 650. On April 2, 2008, the Ben-my-Chree went in for another refit, which included a new livery and internal refit. On July 16, the Ben-my-Chree completed 10 years of Manx service. On July 25, the Ben-my-Chree suffered a technical failure, with the Viking taking her Heysham sailing.

Onboard facilities

Passenger accommodation on the Ben-my-Chree is spread over two decks. The lower passenger deck (deck 7) has a self service cafeteria, Bar, Shop, Reserved seating lounge and a premium lounge with views forward. The upper passenger deck (deck 8) has cabins, a large open deck and a members only lounge. From June 2010 a Wi-Fi connection operated by BlueWave Communications will be available.

An Illustrious Predecessor

An earlier "Ben", the fourth of the six vessels to bear the name "Ben-my-Chree" was another Manx ferry, launched in 1927 as the first new vessel since the 1913 King Orry. In the 2nd World War, This earlier vessel was among a number of Manx vessels requisitioned for active duty 4 of which sadly were to be lost. This Ben-my-Chree was one of the 'Little Ships' sent to Dunkirk in 1940 to rescue the British Expeditionary Forces from the beaches. Eight ships of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company took part in this historic mission, rescuing a grand total of 24,699 British troops. One in every fourteen lives saved during the Dunkirk evacuation, was brought out by a Steam Packet ship.

Current Service

Currently operating services from Douglas to Heysham

Photo gallery

• Ben-My-Chree 04.JPG

  Ben-my-Chree in previous livery

• MS Ben-my-Chree - Isle of Man Steam Packet - kingsley - 20-APR-09.jpg

  MS Ben-my-Chree entering Douglas Harbour

External links

• www.steam-packet.com
• www.ihcmerwede.com