Sydney RiverCats
Dawn Fraser in Darling Harbour in December 2014
Class overview
Builders
  • NQEA
  • Wavemaster International
Operators
Completed7
Active6
Retired1
General characteristics
TypeCatamaran
Length37.0 metres
Beam10.5 metres
Draught1.4 metres
Decks1
Installed power2 x GM 8V92TA
Propulsion2 x waterjets
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]

Shane Gould in original livery

Vessels

NameCall signMMSIBuilderShipyard noYear in serviceNamesakeYear retiredNotes
Betty Cuthbert18555503376100NQEA1992Betty Cuthbert2023To be used for parts.
Dawn Fraser18554503376200NQEA1992Dawn Fraser
Evonne Goolagong18705503376300NQEA1993Evonne Goolagong
Shane Gould18642503376700NQEA1841993Shane Gould
Marlene Mathews18643503376600NQEA1851993Marlene Mathews
Marjorie Jackson18706503376400NQEA1861993Marjorie Jackson
Nicole Livingstone19044503241900Wavesmster International1995Nicole LivingstoneBuilt as Nicole Stevenson, renamed after namesake returned to her maiden name

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

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