Sydney RiverCat
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 | 5 |
| Retired | 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
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.[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] The rest of the RiverCats are to be replaced by Parramatta class ferries from 2024.[10] On the 7th of June 2024 MV Evonne Goolagong was withdrawn following the expiration of her survey. On the 25th of June 2024, Evonne Goolagong and the long-since retired Betty Cuthbert were moved to Yamba via tugboat to be cut up for scrap metal. Efforts were made to sell Betty Cuthbert in 2023, but it was unsuccessful as the Rivercats are a very purpose-built vessel and wouldn’t be useful for much else other than the Parramatta River service.
Vessels
| Name | Call sign | MMSI | Builder | Shipyard no | Year in service | Namesake | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betty Cuthbert | 18555 | 503376100 | NQEA | 1992 | Betty Cuthbert | Withdrawn 16/2/23, awaiting scrapping. | First Rivercat constructed. One of two vessels with a shorter outdoor seating area. | |
| Dawn Fraser | 18554 | 503376200 | NQEA | 1992 | Dawn Fraser | In service | One of two vessels with a shorter outdoor seating area. | |
| Evonne Goolagong | 18705 | 503376300 | NQEA | 1993 | Evonne Goolagong | Withdrawn 7/6/24, awaiting scrapping. | First Sydney ferry to permanently fly the Aboriginal flag.. | |
| Shane Gould | 18642 | 503376700 | NQEA | 184 | 1993 | Shane Gould | In service | |
| Marlene Mathews | 18643 | 503376600 | NQEA | 185 | 1993 | Marlene Mathews | In service | |
| Marjorie Jackson | 18706 | 503376400 | NQEA | 186 | 1993 | Marjorie Jackson | In service | |
| Nicole Livingstone | 19044 | 503241900 | Wavesmster International | 1995 | Nicole Livingstone | In service | Built as Nicole Stevenson, renamed after namesake returned to her maiden name. Equipped with 3 roof mounted air vents, third layer of passenger windows and a second anchor due to heavier weight. | |
References
- 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
- Betty Cuthbert Transdev Sydney Ferries 16 February 2023
- Australian-made ferries to take to Parramatta River Transport for NSW 26 June 2023
External links
Media related to Sydney RiverCats at Wikimedia Commons