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 As at November 2023, all nine remain in service with Transdev Sydney Ferries.2
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 Port Macquarie and included new engines, refurbished interiors, the provision of air conditioning and additional safety features. The first vessel completed was the Golden Grove in June 2020.34
First Fleet Class Ferries currently service F2 Taronga Zoo, F4 Pyrmont Bay, F5 Neutral Bay, F6 Mosman Bay, F7 Double Bay and F8 Cockatoo Island.
Vessels
| Photo of Vessel | Name | Call sign | MMSI | Shipyard no | Launched | Status | Namesake | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supply | 16496 | 503344800 | 163 | 10 December 1984 | Active | HMS Supply | First vessel in service. | |
| Sirius | 15622 | 503345700 | 164 | 20 August 1984 | Active | HMS Sirius | First vessel launched. Had different handrails up until 2023 drydocking. One of 3 vessels surveyed to go to Manly. | |
| Alexander | 15517 | 503344900 | 165 | 19 January 1985 | Active | Alexander | ||
| Borrowdale | 16852 | 503345100 | 166 | 4 February 1985 | Active | Borrowdale | Has a flattened bow unique to this vessel. | |
| Charlotte | 17258 | 503345200 | 167 | 23 February 1985 | Active | Charlotte | ||
| Fishburn | 15519 | 503345300 | 176 | 31 August 1985 | Active | Fishburn | One of 3 vessels surveyed to go to Manly. | |
| Friendship | 17458 | 503345400 | 9 May 1986 | Active | Friendship | Last vessel in service. | ||
| Golden Grove | 16497 | 503345500 | 177 | 16 November 1985 | Active | Golden Grove | The pattern of windows that open is different on this vessel. First to receive refit. One of 3 vessels surveyed to go to Manly. | |
| Scarborough | 16814 | 503345600 | 178 | 1 February 1986 | Active | Scarborough |
External links
- Media related to First Fleet ferry class at Wikimedia Commons
References
News in Brief Marine Business June 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222539/http://www.marinebusiness.com.au/archive/news-in-brief-june-2007 ↩
First fleet class Transdev Sydney Ferries https://web.archive.org/web/20231104072216/https://www.transdev.com.au/solutions/one-fleet-9-vessel-class/ ↩
Golden Grove Ferry Refurbishment Birdon 12 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201204210159/https://www.birdon.com.au/golden-grove-ferry-refurbishment/ ↩
Sydney ferries get a facelift at Port Macquarie to extend life just shy of 50 years ABC News 19 June 2020 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 ↩