Built under yard No 971 as a combination passenger- freight ferry by van der Giessen de Noord B.V., Krimpen a/d IJsel, near Rotterdam, for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co., Douglas, Isle of Man.
04 April 1998 launched under the name BEN-MY-CHREE (6)
Tonnage 12.504 gross, 3.751 net, 2.200 dwt., dim. 125.20 x 23.84 x 14.3m. Draught 05.00 m. length bpp. 115.1m.
Powered by two MAK medium speed diesels, each 5.873 bhp., 18 knots service speed, maximum 19 knots. Twin controllable pitch propellers. One controllable pitch bow thruster.
Passenger accommodation for 332 in ordinary seating. Crew 22.
Can carry 170 cars and 80 freight lorries
03 July 1998 delivered to owners, building cost £24 million.
She was built for the ferry service between the U.K and the Isle of Man, and was the first newbuilding ordered by the company in 23 years.
She makes two crossings a day between Mondays and Fridays from Douglas to Heysham and in the weekend she switches to Douglas to Liverpool service.
04 July 1998 she sailed from Rotterdam and arrived at Douglas on 06 July.
31 July 1998 her first sailing in the service.
She was send the first winter to a shipyard, following a series of customers complaints about on-board standards and facilities, her passenger accommodation was improved, by addition of reclining chairs in forward and aft lounges, and other alternations on the passenger accommodation were made.
06 Jan. 2004 till 05 Feb. 2004 refitted by Northwestern Ship Repairs in Birkenhead., for £1.5 million
Passenger accommodation increased to 500 of which 80 can be berthed in 20 four berth cabins.
2008 Still in service between the Isle of Man and the U.K.
http://www.equasis.org gives still owned by Isle of Man Steam Packet at Douglas. IMO No. 9170705.
I think the ferry depict in the background of the stamp is the LADY OF MAN (2).
On Isle of Man 2005 66p sg?, scott?
Source: http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/ben/ http://www.faktaomfartyg.com/ben_my_chree_1998.htm