The MS Maasdam entering the English Channel via the Western Entrance of Dover Harbour at 5.12 pm on Tuesday, 3rd of August, 2010.

The Western Entrance lies between the Southern Breakwater on the left (the lighthouse, currently undergoing maintainance, is the Dover Breakwater West End Light) and the Admiralty Pier on the right (the lighthouse, also undergoing maintainance, is the Admiralty Pier Light).

The photo was taken from the public walkway above Cruise Terminal 3 on the Admiralty Pier, Western Docks.

The Maasdam arrived from Copenhagen (Denmark) early in the morning and is leaving for Amsterdam (Netherlands). The cruise ends in Boston (Massachusetts, USA).

Career (1):

Name: MS Maasdam
Owner: Holland America Line
Operator: Holland America Line
Port of registry: Netherlands, Rotterdam
Ordered: 29 November 1989
Builder: Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
Cost: 180 million US dollars
Yard number: 5882
Completed: January 1, 1993
Call sign: PFRO
IMO number: 8919257
MMSI no.: 244958000

General characteristics (1):

Class and type: S class cruise ship
Tonnage: 55,575 GT
Displacement: 10,965 DWT
Length: 220 m (721.78 ft)
Beam: 30.937 m (101.50 ft)
Height: 40 m (131.23 ft)
Draught: 7.6 m (24.93 ft)
Decks: 10
Ice class: 1D
Installed power: Two Sulzer 12ZAV40S, Two Sulzer 8ZAL40 diesels (All engines built under license by Fincantieri/Grandi Motori Trieste)
Propulsion: Electric shaftline
Speed: 22 knots (41 km/h)
Capacity: 1,258 passengers
Crew: 580

More info on the original MS Maasdam Cruise Ship in the Western Entrance, Dover Harbour webpage.

John Latter / Jorolat

Dover Blog (Social Psychology)