Sydney RiverCat
![]() Dawn Fraser in Darling Harbour in December 2014
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Builders |
|
Operators | |
Completed | 7 |
Active | 5 |
Retired | 2 |
General characteristics | |
Typ | 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.[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On 16 February 2023 Betty Cuthbert, was the first retired from service.[9] On 7 June 2024 Evonne Goolagong was withdrawn.[10][better source needed] In June 2024 Betty Cuthbert and Evonne Goolagong were moved to Yamba by tugboat to be cut up for scrap by Polaris Marine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] The rest of the RiverCats are to be replaced by Parramatta class ferries from 2024.[12]
Vessels
[edit]Name | Call sign | MMSI | Builder | Shipyard no | Year in service | Namesake | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betty Cuthbert | 18555 | 503376100 | NQEA | 1992 | Betty Cuthbert | Withdrawn 16 February 2023 | Towed to Yamba June 2024 for scrapping[9][11] | |
Dawn Fraser | 18554 | 503376200 | NQEA | 1992 | Dawn Fraser | In service | ||
Evonne Goolagong | 18705 | 503376300 | NQEA | 1993 | Evonne Goolagong | Withdrawn 7 June 2024 | Towed to Yamba June 2024 for scrapping[10][11] | |
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 |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Rivercat_Inside.jpg/220px-Rivercat_Inside.jpg)
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
External links
[edit] Media related to Sydney RiverCats at Wikimedia Commons