MS Veendam
 MS Veendam in Juneau, Alaska, United States prior to aft addition.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | MS Veendam |
| Namesake | Veendam |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc |
| Operator | Holland America Line |
| Port of registry |  Netherlands, Rotterdam |
| Builder | Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy |
| Yard number | 5954 |
| Launched | 24 June 1995 |
| In service | 1996 |
| Refit | 2009 |
| Homeport | Boston |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In Service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | S-class cruise ship |
| Tonnage | 57,092 GT[1] |
| Length | 219 m (719 ft) |
| Beam | 31 m (101 ft) |
| Decks | 13 |
| Installed power | 2 × 12-cylinder 8640 kW, 3 × 8-cylinder 5760 kW diesel generators |
| Speed | 20.9 knots (38.7 km/h; 24.1 mph) |
| Capacity | 1,350 passengers |
| Crew | 568 |
MS Veendam is a cruise ship operated by Holland America Line. Named after the municipality of Veendam in the Netherlands, she has been in service since 1996.
Construction and career
Veendam is a member of the line's Template:Sclass-, otherwise known as S class. She was ordered following the success of her three elder sister ships, and was designated Hull Number 5954. Her keel was laid by Fincantieri in 1994.[2] Throughout 1995 and 1996, the ship was completed and underwent sea trials. Actress Debbie Reynolds served as the ship's godmother, and she set sail on her maiden voyage on 15 May 1996.[3] Upon her maiden voyage, she became the fourth Holland America Line ship to bear the name Veendam,
In April 2009, Veendam underwent dry dock renovations at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Grand Bahama which included significant changes to her stern. Two new decks of verandah accommodation were added which necessitated the removal of a significant portion of her upper decks. To structurally support the ship's new change in weight, a ducktail was added to her hull, and the bridge's wings were extended.[4]
During winter months Veendam operates from South American ports and during the summer season, she sails from New York City, New York.[5]
On 25 January 2015, Veendam was called by the United States Coast Guard to rescue Louis Morton, a pilot who had ditched his plane after experiencing a mechanical failure 225 nautical miles (417 km; 259 mi) from the coast of Maui. Coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, Veendam launched Lifeboat 2 in a successful rescue operation.[6]
References
- ^ "Cruises on ms Veendam, a Holland America Line cruise ship". Hollandamerica.com. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Fincantieri | Veendam". www.fincantieri.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "140 Years Young: Welcome Veendam | Holland America Blog". Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "Veendam Dry-Dock Update: March 30, 2009". Holland America Blog. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "Cruises to Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and the world on Holland America, one of the best cruise lines". Hollandamerica.com. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Veendam Rescues Pilot Who Ditched His Plane in the Pacific Ocean". Holland America. 26 January 2015.
External links
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