Sydney RiverCat

Sydney RiverCats
Dawn Fraser in Darling Harbour in December 2014
Class overview
Builders
  • NQEA
  • Wavemaster International
Operators
  • State Transit Authority
  • Sydney Ferries
  • Transdev Sydney Ferries
Completed7
Active5
Retired2
General characteristics
TypeCatamaran
Length37.0 metres
Beam10.5 metres
Draught1.4 metres
Decks1
Installed power2 x GM 8V92TA
Propulsion2 Shotell Rudder/Propeller drive
Speed22 knots
Capacity230
Crew3

The Sydney RiverCats are a class of catamarans operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries on the Parramatta River.

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RiverCats are to be replaced by Parramatta class ferries from 2024.[10] On the 7th of June 2024 MV Evonne Goolagong was withdrawn following the expiration of her survey.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.

Shane Gould in original livery
Evonne Goolagong at Barangaroo. 2 weeks before being retired

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Betty Cuthbert 18555 503376100 NQEA 1992 Betty Cuthbert Withdrawn 16/2/23, awaiting scrapping.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Evonne Goolagong 18705 503376300 NQEA 1993 Evonne Goolagong Withdrawn 7/6/24, awaiting scrapping.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.
Interior of MV Marjorie Jackson

References

  1. ^ Sydney Ferries Transit Australia September 1991 page 211
  2. ^ Olympian RiverCats Australian Transport & Distribution Management March 1992 page 1
  3. ^ Services Fleetline issue 204 July 1992 page 132
  4. ^ Sydney's New Rivercats Transit Australia August 1992 pages 171-173
  5. ^ Scenic cruise west in sleek comfort Daily Telegraph Mirror 9 December 1993 page 63
  6. ^ Timetables and routes Fleetline issue 224 March 1994 page 56
  7. ^ Sydney Ferries Transit Australia December 1995 page 290
  8. ^ Olympic Transport in Action Transit Australia December 2000 page 279
  9. ^ Betty Cuthbert Transdev Sydney Ferries 16 February 2023
  10. ^ Australian-made ferries to take to Parramatta River Transport for NSW 26 June 2023

External links

Media related to Sydney RiverCats at Wikimedia Commons

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