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First Fleet-class ferry
open-in-new
<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>In the early 1980s, the <a href="/facts/Urban_Transit_Authority/DQ57sCa5">Urban Transit Authority</a> ordered nine catamaran ferries from <a href="/facts/Forgacs_Shipyard/J7MF2PQV">Carrington Slipways</a>, <a href="/facts/Tomago/Nsl9vm1d">Tomago</a>. They were to replace the <a href="/facts/Sydney_K-class_ferry/eAv82mnM">K-class</a> and wooden Lady class ferries on <a href="/facts/Port_Jackson/uFgAR2ne">Sydney Harbour</a>. The new vessels were named after ships of the <a href="/facts/First_Fleet/wDLRcs5U">First Fleet</a> and were delivered between 1984 and 1986. It was originally intended that they would operate services on the <a href="/facts/Parramatta_River/Yf3UDshu">Parramatta River</a>, but they generated too much wash. </p><p>In 2006/07, the class were repowered with <a href="/facts/MTU_Friedrichshafen/vmQxRHJ3">MTU</a> Series 60 engines.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a> As at November 2023, all nine remain in service with <a href="/facts/Transdev_Sydney_Ferries/C9BlPeMz">Transdev Sydney Ferries</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> </p><p>Between 2020 and 2022, eight of the ferries underwent life extension rebuilds to extend their lives for a further 10 years. The work was undertaken by Birdon at <a href="/facts/Port_Macquarie/vPB7tCMH">Port Macquarie</a> and included new engines, refurbished interiors, the provision of air conditioning and additional safety features. The first vessel completed was the <i>Golden Grove</i> in June 2020.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p><p>First Fleet Class Ferries currently service <a href="/facts/Taronga_Zoo_ferry_services/97NGsRMm">F2 Taronga Zoo</a>, <a href="/facts/Pyrmont_Bay_ferry_services/JnkPVC8b">F4 Pyrmont Bay</a>, <a href="/facts/Neutral_Bay_ferry_services/ccBkCpjt">F5 Neutral Bay</a>, <a href="/facts/Mosman_Bay_ferry_services/xC37KVKs">F6 Mosman Bay</a>, <a href="/facts/Double_Bay_ferry_services/ej4RXawW">F7 Double Bay</a> and <a href="/facts/Cockatoo_Island_ferry_services/pvKTvtjs">F8 Cockatoo Island</a>. </p> <h2 id="vessels">Vessels</h2> <table><tbody><tr><th>Photo of Vessel</th><th>Name</th><th>Call sign</th><th><a href="/facts/Maritime_Mobile_Service_Identity/JMAnt1y2">MMSI</a></th><th>Shipyard no</th><th>Launched</th><th>Status</th><th>Namesake</th><th>Additional Information</th></tr><tr><td></td><td><i>Supply</i></td><td>16496</td><td>503344800</td><td>163</td><td>10 December 1984</td><td>Active</td><td><a href="/facts/HMAT_Supply_(1759)/8Ye3brkT">HMS <i>Supply</i></a></td><td>First vessel in service.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td><i>Sirius</i></td><td>15622</td><td>503345700</td><td>164</td><td>20 August 1984</td><td>Active</td><td><a href="/facts/HMS_Sirius_(1786)/6B9VoASw">HMS <i>Sirius</i></a></td><td>First vessel launched. Had different handrails up until 2023 drydocking. One of 3 vessels surveyed to go to Manly.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td><i>Alexander</i></td><td>15517</td><td>503344900</td><td>165</td><td>19 January 1985</td><td>Active</td><td><a href="/facts/Alexander_(1783_ship)/IardGxII"><i>Alexander</i></a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td><i>Borrowdale</i></td><td>16852</td><td>503345100</td><td>166</td><td>4 February 1985</td><td>Active</td><td><a href="/facts/Borrowdale_(1785_ship)/jsEwvW15"><i>Borrowdale</i></a></td><td>Has a flattened bow unique to this vessel.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td><i>Charlotte</i></td><td>17258</td><td>503345200</td><td>167</td><td>23 February 1985</td><td>Active</td><td><a href="/facts/Charlotte_(1784_ship)/3PDfMG4F"><i>Charlotte</i></a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td><i>Fishburn</i></td><td>15519</td><td>503345300</td><td>176</td><td>31 August 1985</td><td>Active</td><td><a href="/facts/Fishburn_(1780_ship)/xvV9KYQS"><i>Fishburn</i></a></td><td>One of 3 vessels surveyed to go to Manly.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td><i>Friendship</i></td><td>17458</td><td>503345400</td><td></td><td>9 May 1986</td><td>Active</td><td><a href="/facts/Friendship_(1784_ship)/pUIDhVcY"><i>Friendship</i></a></td><td>Last vessel in service.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td><i>Golden Grove</i></td><td>16497</td><td>503345500</td><td>177</td><td>16 November 1985</td><td>Active</td><td><a href="/facts/Golden_Grove_(1782_ship)/B6VdoP14"><i>Golden Grove</i></a></td><td>The pattern of windows that open is different on this vessel. First to receive refit. One of 3 vessels surveyed to go to Manly.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td><i>Scarborough</i></td><td>16814</td><td>503345600</td><td>178</td><td>1 February 1986</td><td>Active</td><td><i><a href="/facts/Scarborough_(1782_ship)/sYEKzMcS">Scarborough</a></i></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li> Media related to First Fleet ferry class at Wikimedia Commons</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>News in Brief Marine Business June 2007 <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222539/http://www.marinebusiness.com.au/archive/news-in-brief-june-2007" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222539/http://www.marinebusiness.com.au/archive/news-in-brief-june-2007</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>First fleet class Transdev Sydney Ferries <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20231104072216/https://www.transdev.com.au/solutions/one-fleet-9-vessel-class/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20231104072216/https://www.transdev.com.au/solutions/one-fleet-9-vessel-class/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Golden Grove Ferry Refurbishment Birdon 12 June 2020 <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201204210159/https://www.birdon.com.au/golden-grove-ferry-refurbishment/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20201204210159/https://www.birdon.com.au/golden-grove-ferry-refurbishment/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Sydney ferries get a facelift at Port Macquarie to extend life just shy of 50 years ABC News 19 June 2020 <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20231014092504/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-19/sydney-ferries-refurbishment-new-lease-of-life-in-port-macquarie/12369364?fbclid=IwAR2qbBZY522KBZwB4RnAxFGD_633CgtXcM3IlK4-T4nXt-Gtar1T6oS1icg" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20231014092504/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-19/sydney-ferries-refurbishment-new-lease-of-life-in-port-macquarie/12369364?fbclid=IwAR2qbBZY522KBZwB4RnAxFGD_633CgtXcM3IlK4-T4nXt-Gtar1T6oS1icg</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>