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 | 6 |
| Retired | 1 |
| 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 x waterjets |
| 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]
Vessels
| Name | Call sign | MMSI | Builder | Shipyard no | Year in service | Namesake | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betty Cuthbert | 18555 | 503376100 | NQEA | 1992 | Betty Cuthbert | 2023 | To be used for parts. | |
| Dawn Fraser | 18554 | 503376200 | NQEA | 1992 | Dawn Fraser | |||
| Evonne Goolagong | 18705 | 503376300 | NQEA | 1993 | Evonne Goolagong | |||
| Shane Gould | 18642 | 503376700 | NQEA | 184 | 1993 | Shane Gould | ||
| Marlene Mathews | 18643 | 503376600 | NQEA | 185 | 1993 | Marlene Mathews | ||
| Marjorie Jackson | 18706 | 503376400 | NQEA | 186 | 1993 | Marjorie Jackson | ||
| Nicole Livingstone | 19044 | 503241900 | Wavesmster International | 1995 | Nicole Livingstone | Built as Nicole Stevenson, renamed after namesake returned to her maiden name | ||
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