Engineering:Sydney RiverCat
.jpg) Dawn Fraser in Darling Harbour in December 2014
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: |
|
| Operators: |
|
| Completed: | 7 |
| Active: | 1 |
| Retired: | 1 |
| Scrapped: | 5 |
| 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 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
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, named Nicole Livingstone.[7] In 2000, Marlene Mathews participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay.[8]
Although primarily operating Parramatta River services, they also operate other Transdev Sydney Ferries services.
Retirement
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On 16 February 2023, Betty Cuthbert was the first vessel retired from service.[9] She was stripped for parts at Balmain Shipyard before being towed to Blackwattle Bay Marina for long-term storage, along with several decommissioned SuperCat-class ferries.
On 7 June 2024 Evonne Goolagong was withdrawn.[10]Template:Better cite She was used as a parts source at Balmain, before briefly being relocated to Rozelle Bay, along with sister Betty Cuthbert. Both vessels were moved to Rozelle in late June 2024.
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]Template:Better cite
On 28 October 2024, Nicole Livingstone was withdrawn from service and was used for parts at Balmain Shipyard before being moved to Rozelle Bay, followed by a final movement to Yamba under tow where she was broken up in early 2025. The introduction of the Parramatta River-class ferries allowed for the remaining RiverCats to be phased out.[12]
On 4 February 2025 Marlene Mathews was withdrawn from service.[13] The vessel was then used for parts at Balmain Shipyard, before being moved via tugboat to Rozelle Bay.
On 3 June 2025 Marjorie Jackson was withdrawn from service.[14] She was then stripped of reusable parts at Balmain Shipyard, before being towed to Rozelle Bay where she was moored alongside sister vessel Marlene Mathews.
On 17 June 2025 MV Marlene Mathews and MV Marjorie Jackson were transferred by tugboat up to Yamba for scrapping.[15] By July 2025 both Marjorie Jackson and Marlene Mathews were scrapped.
On 30 September 2025, MV Shane Gould was withdrawn from service after her 32 year long career. She will be used as a parts source until she is towed for scrapping.[16]
MV Dawn Fraser will continue to see service for the time being, and will most likely be withdrawn after the currentTemplate:Timeframe? summer period concludes.
Vessels
| Photo of vessel | Name | Call sign | MMSI | Builder | Shipyard no. | Year in service | Namesake | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150px MV Betty Cuthbert at Circular Quay, 2016. |
Betty Cuthbert | 18555 | 503376100 | NQEA | 1992 | Betty Cuthbert | Scrapped | Withdrawn 16 February 2023 | |
| 150x150px MV Dawn Fraser at Circular Quay, 2023. |
Dawn Fraser | 18554 | 503376200 | NQEA | 1992 | Dawn Fraser | In service | ||
 MV Evonne Goolagong at Cockatoo Island, 2023. |
Evonne Goolagong | 18705 | 503376300 | NQEA | 186 | 1993 | Evonne Goolagong | Scrapped | Withdrawn 7 June 2024 |
| 150px MV Shane Gould near Homebush Bay, 2025. |
Shane Gould | 18642 | 503376700 | NQEA | 184 | 1993 | Shane Gould | Retired | Withdrawn 30 September 2025 |
| 150px MV Marlene Mathews passing Cockatoo Island, 2024. |
Marlene Mathews | 18643 | 503376600 | NQEA | 185 | 1993 | Marlene Mathews | Scrapped | Withdrawn 4 February 2025[17] |
| 150x150px MV Marjorie Jackson near Barangaroo, 2025. |
Marjorie Jackson | 18706 | 503376400 | NQEA | 187 | 1993 | Marjorie Jackson | Scrapped | Withdrawn 3
June 2025 [1] |
| 150px MV Nicole Livingstone at Cockatoo Island, 2024. |
Nicole Livingstone | 19044 | 503241900 | Wavemaster International | 1995 | Nicole Livingstone | Scrapped | Withdrawn 28 October 2024, 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
- ↑ Come for a last ride on our Evonne Goolagong vessel Transdev Sydney Ferries Instagram 5 June 2024
- ↑ 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
- ↑ "Transdev Sydney Ferries". 4 February 2025. https://www.facebook.com/transdevferriessyd/posts/pfbid08BTGTdvMuD46n9kmeV39VQqHT2Tqd6tbQGtjrcR3J2yW65urRyAbreqo1Xg6Mp5Bl?rdid=tsTr6DfrhV7epRkQ#.
- ↑ "Transdev Sydney Ferries". 3 June 2025. https://www.facebook.com/transdevferriessyd/posts/pfbid0N1Gs1dBfzHoC7ztyp8ksx8DjFWoyngY9WtiF8wgyTt5vgXfrDWb8qzPqC2qsdyJKl?rdid=caNLEWaTVMRTXP6T#.
- ↑ "Polaris Marine Group facebook". 17 June 2025. https://www.facebook.com/polarismarine/posts/pfbid0ErGxMVC6Bfpdb23REhaHmvTUmakBmzSXeB6dSgkWBPHinQ1vYSpdT241p5hvCPmyl?rdid=jWbXCh96ILkug3KE#.
- ↑ "Transdev Sydney Ferries Instagram. "Come for a last ride on the Shane Gould"". 2025-09-26. https://www.instagram.com/p/DPDWhxUk2ao/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.
- ↑ "Transdev Sydney Ferries". https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AsEUuR1n7/.
External links
Template:Sydneyferries Template:Australianferries
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