MS Pride of Rotterdam

Description

Pride of Rotterdam is 215.05 m (705 ft 7 in) long with a beam of 31.85 m (104 ft 6 in) and a draught of 6.04 m (19 ft 10 in). She is powered by four Wärtsilä 9L46C diesel engines which have a total power output of 37,800 kilowatts (50,700 hp). These can propel her at 22 knots (41 km/h).

Pride of Rotterdam can carry 1,370 passengers. She has 3,300 metres (3,600 yd) of lane capacity, and can carry 250 cars and 400 trailers. Cars are driven in through an entrance in the ship's side and stored separately from trailers, which are loaded from the rear.

History

The ship's keel was laid on 1 March 1999. The ship was built as yard number 6065. She was originally to have been named Pride of Hull, but this was changed to Pride of Rotterdam before her launch on 29 September 2000. Pride of Rotterdam was officially handed over to P&O North Sea Ferries on 12 April 2001 in Venice, Italy. She was christened on 27 April 2001 by Queen Beatrix and entered service on 30 April 2001 on the Hull - Rotterdam route.

Pride of Rotterdam is owned by Hampton Shipping BV, managed by P&O North Sea Ferries and classed by Lloyd's Register. The ship has a capacity of 59,925 GT and 10,100 DWT. She is allocated the IMO Number 9208617, MMSI Number 244980000 and uses the callsign PBAJ. Her port of registry is Rotterdam.

Both Pride of Rotterdam and Pride of Hull are too wide to pass through the lock at Hull. Associated British Ports built a new terminal at Hull to accommodate the passengers using these two ferries. The Rotterdam Terminal was built at a cost of £14,300,000.

On 21 November 2005, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the Hull - Rotterdam route, Pride of Rotterdam sailed from Rotterdam to Hull with the Dutch band BZN performing on board. The return sailing on 22 November also saw BZN performing. On 3 December 2008, a crew member was lost overboard in the North Sea off the east coast of the United Kingdom. A search was initiated involving eight lifeboats and helicopters from RAF Leconfield and Wattisham. The search was called off but the missing crew member was not found.

Layout

Pride of Rotterdam has many decks including;

Red Deck

Red deck is the deck of embarkation for all passengers and is a main deck. At the front of this deck are cabins 8101-8196. They are accessed by three sets of stairs and an elevator. Behind this is the casino and bottom floor of the two deck high sunset showlounge. After this is the two shops and the reception area that includes the information desk and the bureau de change. Behind is the giant 31.85m (104 ft 6 in) wide four seasons buffet restaurant that is served by an all you can eat buffet. The stern most part of this deck is a small promenade section like on decks 7,9,10 and 11. ^[6]

Blue Deck

Blue deck is the other main deck and is similar to Red deck. Forward are cabins 9101-9196. Behind the cabins is the upper level of the sunset showlounge, the video arcade and the two cinemas. After is another shop, children's world (Soft play area) and the continental café. Moving backwards is Langlan's Brasserie, the business lounge, wine bar, quiet room and freight drivers areas. As on red deck there is a small promenade section.^[7]

Green Deck

Green deck is a cabin deck that is accessed by nine sets of stairs and three lifts. The cabins on this deck are 10101-10480. The stern of this deck is a small promenade section^[8]

In popular culture

The ship is featured in the VSTEP game "Ship Simulator 2008" and "Ship Simulator Extremes" enabling gamers to sail the ship in a number of different environments around the world including the Solent and the Port of Rotterdam.

It also appears in the popular book "Eddie Burns' Lethal List 2013".

Sister Ships

Pride of Rotterdam has one sister ship: