First Fleet-class ferry
Scarborough in Pyrmont Bay, 2017
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Builders | Carrington Slipways |
Operators | |
Built | 1984–1986 |
Completed | 9 |
Active | 9 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Catamaran |
Displacement | 83 tonnes |
Length | 25.4 m (83 ft) |
Propulsion | MTU Series 60 |
Speed | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) |
Capacity | 393 |
The First Fleet class is a class of ferry operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries on Sydney Harbour.
History[]
In the early 1980s, the Urban Transit Authority ordered nine catamaran ferries from Carrington Slipways, Tomago. They were to replace the K-class and wooden Lady class ferries on Sydney Harbour. The new vessels were named after ships of the First Fleet and were delivered between 1984 and 1986. It was originally intended that they would operate services on the Parramatta River, but they generated too much wash.
In 2006/07, the class were repowered with MTU Series 60 engines.[1] Today, all nine remain in service with Transdev Sydney Ferries.[2]
In 2020, the then 35-year old ferries underwent a major facelift to provide them with another 10 years of service. The work was undertaken at Port Macquarie. The changes included engines, refurbished interiors, the provision of air conditioning and additional safety features. The first vessel to be upgraded and returned to service was Golden Grove.[3]
Vessels[]
Name | Call sign | MMSI | Shipyard no | Completed | Status | Namesake | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Supply | 16496 | 503344800 | 163 | 1984 | Active | HMS Supply | |
Sirius | 15622 | 503345700 | 164 | 1984 | Active | HMS Sirius | |
Alexander | 15517 | 503344900 | 165 | 1985 | Active | Alexander | [4] |
Borrowdale | 16852 | 503345100 | 1985 | Active | Borrowdale | [5] | |
Charlotte | 17258 | 503345200 | 167 | 1985 | Active | Charlotte | [6] |
Fishburn | 15519 | 503345300 | 176 | 1985 | Active | Fishburn | [7] |
Friendship | 17458 | 503345400 | 1986 | Active | Friendship | [8] | |
Golden Grove | 16497 | 503345500 | 177 | 1986 | Active | Golden Grove | [9] |
Scarborough | 16814 | 503345600 | 178 | 1986 | Active | Scarborough |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ MTU's Progress on Sydney Ferry Upgrade Marine Business June 2007
- ^ Sydney Ferries Fleet Facts Archived April 12, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW
- ^ Rubbo, Luisa (19 June 2020). "Sydney ferries get a facelift at Port Macquarie to extend life 'just shy of 50 years'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
- ^ Alexander Ferries of Sydney
- ^ Borrowdale Ferries of Sydney
- ^ Charlotte Ferries of Sydney
- ^ Fishburn Ferries of Sydney
- ^ Friendship Ferries of Sydney
- ^ Golden Grove Ferries of Sydney
External links[]
Media related to First Fleet ferry class at Wikimedia Commons
- Catamarans
- Ferry transport in Sydney
- Ships built in New South Wales
- Ferry classes