MS Madeleine

Madeleine arriving at Souris
Career
Name: 1981-1993: Leinster
1993-1996: Isle of Inishmore
1996-1997: Isle of Inishturk
1997-present: Madeleine
Operator: 1981-1995: B&I Line
1995-1997: Irish Ferries
1997=present: C.T.M.A.
Port of registry: 1981—1997: Dublin,  Ireland
1997—present: Ottawa,  Canada
Builder: Verolme Cork Dockyard, Cork, Ireland
Yard number: 979
Launched: 1980
Identification: IMO number: 7915228
Status: In service
General characteristics (as built)[1]
Tonnage:6,807 GRT
Displacement:1,310 t DWT
Length:122.05 m (400 ft 5 in)
Beam:18.83 m (61 ft 9 in)
Draught:4.99 m (16 ft 4 in)
Decks:8
Installed power:4 × MaK 8M551AK diesels
Propulsion:2 x Controllable pitch propellers
Speed:20 kn (37.04 km/h)
Capacity:1500 passengers
534 berths
326 cars

The MS Madeleine is a car/passenger ferry owned and operated by Coopérative de Transport Maritime et Aérien between Souris and Cap-aux-Meules. The ship previously sailed with Irish Ferries as Isle of Inishturk.

History

Madeleine was built in 1981 as Leinster for the B&I Line overnight Dublin - Liverpool route. Following heavy losses the overnight Dublin - Liverpool route closed in 1988.[2] Leinster transferred to the shorter Dublin - Holyhead route until 1993 when she was transferred to the Pembroke Dock - Rosslare route, for this role she was renamed Isle of Inishmore.

In 1995 Isle of Inishmore received the new Irish Ferries livery following the privatization of B&I Line. The ship was renamed Isle of Inishturk a year later to free the name for a new vessel under construction in the Netherlands. The new Isle of Inishmore was delivered in 1997 enabling Isle of Innisfree to replace Isle of Inishturk on the Pembroke Dock - Rosslare route.

After a few months laid up, Isle of Inishturk was sold to Coopérative de Transport Maritime et Aérien (CTMA) and renamed Madeleine. Prior to entering service the lifeboats were removed and replaced with a Marine evacuation system. In 2006 Madeleine was rebuilt to comply with the latest safety regulations. This included the addition of large sponsons to the stern.[3]

Gallery

References