The Sydney RiverCats are a class of catamarans operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries on the Parramatta River.
 Dawn Fraser in Darling Harbour in December 2014
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders |
|
| Operators | |
| Completed | 7 |
| Active | 4 |
| Retired | 1 |
| Scrapped | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Catamaran |
| Length | 37.0 metres |
| Beam | 10.5 metres |
| Draught | 1.4 metres |
| Decks | 1 |
| Installed power | 2 x GM 8V92TA |
| Propulsion | 2 Shotell Rudder/Propeller drive |
| Speed | 22 knots |
| Capacity | 230 |
| Crew | 3 |
History
editIn 1991 the State Transit Authority ordered six Grahame Parker Design designed RiverCats from NQEA, Cairns to operate Parramatta River services.[1]
Named after famous Australian female athletes, the first was delivered in early 1992.[2] They replaced First Fleet class ferries on the Circular Quay to Meadowbank service on 7 May 1992.[3][4] In December 1993 they began operating to Parramatta.[5][6]
In October 1995, a seventh vessel built by Wavemaster International in Henderson, Western Australia was delivered.[7] In 2000, Marlene Matthews participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay.[8]
Although primarily operating Parramatta River services, they also operate other Transdev Sydney Ferries services.
On 16 February 2023 Betty Cuthbert, was the first retired from service.[9] On 7 June 2024 Evonne Goolagong was withdrawn.[10][better source needed] In June 2024 Betty Cuthbert and Evonne Goolagong were moved to Yamba by tugboat to be cut up for scrap by Polaris Marine Group.[11][better source needed] On the 28th of October 2024, Nicole Livingstone was withdrawn from service and is currently used for parts at Balmain Shipyard. The rest of the RiverCats are to be replaced by Parramatta River class ferries from 2024.[12]
Vessels
edit| Photo of Vessel | Name | Call sign | MMSI | Builder | Shipyard no | Year in service | Namesake | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
_(2).jpg) MV Betty Cuthbert at Circular Quay, 2016. |
Betty Cuthbert | 18555 | 503376100 | NQEA | 1992 | Betty Cuthbert | Scrapped | Withdrawn 16 February 2023, towed to Yamba June 2024 for scrapping[9][11] | |
 MV Dawn Fraser at Circular Quay, 2023. |
Dawn Fraser | 18554 | 503376200 | NQEA | 1992 | Dawn Fraser | In service | ||
 MV Evonne Goolagong at Cockatoo Island, 2023. |
Evonne Goolagong | 18705 | 503376300 | NQEA | 1993 | Evonne Goolagong | Scrapped | Withdrawn 7 June 2024, towed to Yamba June 2024 for scrapping[10][11] | |
 MV Shane Gould passing Walsh Bay, 2024. |
Shane Gould | 18642 | 503376700 | NQEA | 184 | 1993 | Shane Gould | In service | |
 MV Marlene Matthews passing Cockatoo Island, 2024. |
Marlene Mathews | 18643 | 503376600 | NQEA | 185 | 1993 | Marlene Mathews | In service | |
 MV Marjorie Jackson between Sydney Sydney Olympic Park and Rydalmere |
Marjorie Jackson | 18706 | 503376400 | NQEA | 186 | 1993 | Marjorie Jackson | In service | |
 MV Nicole Livingstone at Cockatoo Island, 2024. |
Nicole Livingstone | 19044 | 503241900 | Wavesmster International | 1995 | Nicole Livingstone | Retired[13] | Withdrawn 28 October 2024, awaiting scrapping. Built as Nicole Stevenson, renamed after namesake returned to her maiden name |
References
edit- ^ Sydney Ferries Transit Australia September 1991 page 211
- ^ Olympian RiverCats Australian Transport & Distribution Management March 1992 page 1
- ^ Services Fleetline issue 204 July 1992 page 132
- ^ Sydney's New Rivercats Transit Australia August 1992 pages 171-173
- ^ Scenic cruise west in sleek comfort Daily Telegraph Mirror 9 December 1993 page 63
- ^ Timetables and routes Fleetline issue 224 March 1994 page 56
- ^ Sydney Ferries Transit Australia December 1995 page 290
- ^ Olympic Transport in Action Transit Australia December 2000 page 279
- ^ a b Betty Cuthbert Transdev Sydney Ferries 16 February 2023
- ^ a b Come for a last ride on our Evonne Goolagong vessel Transdev Sydney Ferries Instagram 5 June 2024
- ^ a b c Polaris Marine Group at Sydney Harbour Heads Polaris Marine Group Facebook 26 June 2024
- ^ Australian-made ferries to take to Parramatta River Transport for NSW 26 June 2023
- ^ "Facebook: Transdev proud operator of sydney ferries".
External links
edit
Media related to Sydney RiverCats at Wikimedia Commons