Sydney JetCats
 View of the ferrySea Eaglein Sydney Ferries Corporation livery
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | InCat |
| Operators | |
| Completed | 3 |
| Active | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Catamaran |
| Length | 34.8 metres |
| Beam | 10 metres |
| Propulsion | 2 x MWM TBD260 V16s |
| Speed | 30 knots |
| Capacity | 268 passengers |
TheSydney JetCatswere a class ofcatamaransoperated by theState Transit Authorityand Sydney Ferries Corporation on theManly service.
History[edit]
Three JetCats were delivered in 1990/91 to replace the remaining fourSydney hydrofoilson theManly service.The 268-seat vessels were built by NQEA,Cairnsto anIncat Crowtherdesign.[1][2]
In December 2008, theState Governmentannounced the JetCat service would cease and called for tenders to operate the service on a commercial basis.[3]The last JetCat service operated on 31 December 2008.[4]JetCat patronage had dropped from 1,453,000 passengers per annum in 1995/96 to 393,506 between July and December 2008, while ferry patronage on the route rose from 3.7 million to 6.0 million (full 08/09 year) in the same period.[5]However this referenced source clearly reveals the change in Jetcat patronage can be explained by the reduction in the number of timetabled Jetcat services being operated from typically 256 return trips per week in 1995/96, down to 116 per week in 2008 (both including ferry replacement trips). The JetCats were sold to a broker, who resold them for three times the price.[6]
Bass & Flinders Cruisestrading as Manly Fast Ferries commenced operating the service on 10 February 2009.[7]
Vessels[edit]
| Name | Date in service | Fate |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Fin | 16 July 1990 | sold toSuperCat Fast Ferry Corporationas SuperCat 36, renamedSt Benedict[8][9] |
| Sir David Martin | 21 December 1990 | sold to SuperCat Fast Ferry Corporation as SuperCat 38, renamedSt Dominic[8] |
| Sea Eagle | 19 March 1991 | sold to Korea asArcadia,resold to Kazakhstan asCM Jet 5[8]then asSprinter,destroyed by fire 24 November 2019[citation needed] |
Ex-Manly JetCat "Sea Eagle" was destroyed by fire in 2019 at her berth, along with another vessel "Forward" - both vessels were "utility boats" serving offshore platforms. Arson is suspected.[citation needed]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Do you remember the Hydrofoils Part 2Afloat MagazineJuly 2007
- ^Manly Fact SheetSpecial Commission of Inquiry into Sydney Ferries
- ^Calls for Expressions of Interest for Manly Fast FerryMinister for Transport 9 December 2008
- ^High and dry as JetCat sails into historyArchived24 September 2015 at theWayback MachineSydney Morning Herald31 December 2008
- ^Jetcat Patronage 1995 - 2008Archived18 May 2019 at theWayback MachineMANLYmania Jetcat Page 2008
- ^Retired JetCats cause more embarrassmentArchived11 May 2017 at theWayback MachineThe World Today(Radio National) 10 December 2009
- ^Jet Cat Withdrawal and Manly Fast Ferry CommencementNSW Ministry of Transport
- ^abcManly Jet CatSea Eagleliving in KazakhstanArchived16 April 2015 at theWayback MachineYacht & Boat29 June 2011
- ^Blue Fin / SuperCat 36Archived15 April 2015 at theWayback MachineFerries of Sydney