Emerald-class ferry

The Emerald-class ferry is a class of ferries operated by Sydney Ferries on Sydney Harbour. There is capacity for about 400 passengers, improved accessibility for people with disabilities, Wi-Fi access, luggage and bicycle storage areas and charging stations/USB ports for electronic devices.

Emerald class

Bungaree at Circular Quay in November 2017
Class overview
Builders	Incat (Generation 1), Jianglong Shipbuilding Co (Generation 2)
Operators	Transdev Sydney Ferries
Built	2016–2021
Completed	9
Active	9
General characteristics
Type	Catamaran
Length	35 m (114 ft 10 in)
Beam	10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Decks	2
Installed power	2 × Yanmar 6AYEM-GT
Speed	26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph)
Capacity	400
Crew	3

History

Generation 1 (Inner Harbour)

In November 2014, the Government of New South Wales announced six new ferries would be ordered for use on Sydney Ferries services.^[1][2] In September 2015, the contract to build the ferries was awarded to Incat.^[3][4] The first ferry was expected to enter service in late 2016.^[5]

However, the entry into service was delayed due to problems uncovered during testing that required modifications to the vessel.^[6] Fred Hollows was the first ferry to enter service, commencing operations on 26 June 2017.^[7][8] The introduction of the Emerald-class ferries allowed the final two Lady-class ferries to be withdrawn in October 2017.^[9]

The sixth was delivered carrying the name Emerald 6. Transport for NSW subsequently announced it would be renamed Ferry McFerryface along the same lines as Boaty McBoatface. However the Maritime Union of Australia refused to crew the vessel in protest at the name.^[10][11] It entered service in December 2017 named Emerald 6 with a Ferry McFerryface sticker below the bridge.^[12] In January 2018, following revelations that the name was not a public vote winner but selected by Transport Minister Andrew Constance, it was renamed May Gibbs.^[13]

Generation 2 (Manly)

Clontarf, a Gen 2 Emerald-class ferry

In 2021 second series of Emerald-class ferries (Generation 2), fitted with wave-piercing hulls, were built to replace the Freshwater-class ferries on the Manly ferry services.^[14][15] The new vessels were named after Sydney Harbour beaches Fairlight, Clontarf and Balmoral.^[16] In October 2021 the first of the new ferries Fairlight was put into service a few days after the Freshwater-class ferry MV Queenscliff was retired. The rest of the vessels entered service throughout the next month.^[17] The new Emerald-class vessels were heavily criticized due to numerous problems and incidents that affected the vessels' performance. In November 2021 the ferry Balmoral was undertaking trials in high seas when a window was smashed and the rudder was damaged. This caused many to doubt the vessels' ability to cross Sydney Heads on days with big swells.^[18] Another problem identified with the vessels was that they were unable to load and unload passengers on the west side of Manly Wharf at low tide. This meant that the vessels were required to use the east side of the wharf, which is typically used by the Manly Fast Ferry, during low tide causing delays for both services.^[19] In December 2021 Transport minister Rob Stokes announced that the Freshwater-class ferry MV Narrabeen would have its engine rebuilt and would be returned to service due to the ongoing problems with the new Emerald-class vessels.^[20] The new Emerald-class ferries currently operate all week round along with MV Freshwater and MV Collaroy on weekends and public holidays. On 12 March 2022 it was announced that the vessels had been cleared to operate in swells of up to 4.5 metres (15 ft)s.

On 26 September 2022, all Generation 2 Emerald-class ferries were removed from service after a near miss with the cruise ship Coral Princess, due to a steering fault.^[21]

Design

Fred Hollows in July 2017

The Emerald class operate on Cross Harbour ferry services and are designed to look similar to the First Fleet-class vessels. The ferries seat 375 passengers. The Generation 2 Emerald class were designed with wave piercing hulls to allow them to cross the Sydney Heads on days with high swells. The most noticeable difference between the Generation 1 and Generation 2 Emerald-class ferries is two large handle-like structures on the bows of the Generation 2 ferries.

Vessels

Name	Call sign	MMSI	Shipyard no	Completed	Namesake	Reference
Catherine Hamlin	24622	503046120	Incat 082	2016	Catherine Hamlin	[22]
Fred Hollows	24712	503053140	Incat 083	2017	Fred Hollows	[23]
Victor Chang	24713	503055050	Incat 084	2017	Victor Chang	[24]
Pemulwuy	24714	503057290	Incat 085	2017	Pemulwuy	[25]
Bungaree	24715	503058420	Incat 086	2017	Bungaree	[26]
May Gibbs	24716	503059930	Incat 087	2017	May Gibbs	[13]
Fairlight	457554	503106820		2021	Fairlight
Balmoral	457587	503106790		2021	Balmoral
Clontarf	457599	503106810		2021	Clontarf