Keel Layed For Cruise Ship Maasdam At Fincantieri Shipyard

During her keel laying ceremony, the first 600-ton module section of the MS Maasdam's double bottom was placed in the shipbuilding dock at Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The 35-foot-long ship's keel section extends the full width of the vessel and stands 25 feet high. The Maasdam is the second of Holland America Line's three ship new construction program. Her delivery is scheduled for late 1993, with the Statendam scheduled for a late 1992 delivery and the Ryndamin 1994. She will be the fifth ship to bear the name Maasdam in Holland America's 119-year history.

Work on the vessel is on schedule with further modules being fitted to the Maasdam in May. When completed, the 50,000-grt cruise ship will be 720 feet long and have a beam of 101 feet. She will carry 1,266 passengers and have a mixed crew of550 Dutch officers and Indonesian and Filipino crewmen.