Emerald-class ferry


The Emerald ferry class is a class of ferry operated by Sydney Ferries on Sydney Harbour.

History

In November 2014, the Government of New South Wales announced six new ferries would be ordered for use on Sydney Ferries services. In September 2015, the contract to build the ferries was awarded to Incat. The first ferry was expected to enter service in late 2016.
However, the entry into service was delayed due to problems uncovered during testing that required modifications to the vessel. Fred Hollows was the first ferry to enter service, commencing operations on 26 June 2017. The introduction of the Emerald class ferries allowed the final two Lady class ferries to be withdrawn in October 2017.
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. It entered service in December 2017 named Emerald 6 with a Ferry McFerryface sticker below the bridge. In January 2018, following revelations that the name wasn't a public vote winner but selected by Transport Minister Andrew Constance, it was renamed May Gibbs.

Design

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.

Vessels