Sydney RiverCat
 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 |
The Sydney RiverCats are a class of catamarans operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries on the Parramatta River.
History
[edit]In 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, named Nicole Livingstone.[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On 16 February 2023 Betty Cuthbert, was the first retired from service.[9] On 7 June 2024 Evonne Goolagong was withdrawn.[10][better source needed]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On 28 October 2024, Nicole Livingstone was withdrawn from service and was used for parts at Balmain Shipyard before being moved to Rozelle Bay, followed by a final movement to Yamba under tow where she is currently being broken up. 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?lang=en) 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Betty Cuthbert | 18555 | 503376100 | NQEA | 1992 | Betty Cuthbert | Scrapped | Withdrawn 16 February 2023, towed to Yamba June 2024 for scrapping[9][11] | |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 | |
.jpg?lang=en) 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 | Wavemaster International | 1995 | Nicole Livingstone | Undergoing scrapping[13] | Withdrawn 28 October 2024, towed to Yamba December 2024 for 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". Facebook.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Sydney RiverCats at Wikimedia Commons