All three new Manly Emerald ferries docked with mechanical issues

NSW’s embattled new Emerald class ferries have all been docked in the past week due to mechanical issues, including an incident where oil and metal shards sprayed around the engine room of one ferry.

All three of NSW’s problem-plagued new Emerald ferries have been docked in the past week due to mechanical issues, headlined by an incident on Monday evening where one of the engines “basically exploded”.

It’s understood oil and shards of metal were sprayed around the engine room of the second generation Emerald ferry the Clontarf when the engine failed on Monday.

No passengers were on board at the time, with the captain of the vessel undertaking training and safety drills when the engine broke down.

The Clontarf – which was docked multiple times last year with cracks in it fuel tank and engine seals – has been berthed at Balmain Shipyard following the incident.

A spokesman for ferry operator Transdev confirmed “Clontarf engineers were conducting regular safety drills without passengers on-board (when) one of her two engines failed”.

The Manly ferry vessel 'Clontarf' in Circular Quay.

“The Clontarf returned to Balmain Shipyard using one engine,” he said.

“Transdev, the operator of Sydney Ferries, is working closely with the engine manufacturer Yanmar to comprehensively investigate the cause of the issue with the Clontarf engine.”

The spokesman confirmed the engine would have to be replaced which will leave the ferry out of action for weeks.

It’s understood fellow second generation Emerald vessels the Fairlight and Balmoral have also been docked in the last week.

A Transdev spokesman said the Balmoral was out of service for “planned maintenance” including electrical works, with the vessel set to return to the seas on Wednesday.

“Regular pump work” was also undertaken on the Fairlight on Monday with the vessel already back in service, according to the spokesman.

Three of the Emerald Class vessels were out of action for repairs in the past week.

The latest breakdown has been slammed as the “final straw” by Labor’s shadow spokeswoman for transport, Jo Haylen.

“Surely this has got to be the last straw. What will it take for the Liberals to admit that their overseas built Manly ferries are a complete and utter failure?” she said.

“It’s bad enough that the engine on the Clontarf basically exploded.

“If (the Liberals) get another four years it’ll be more of the same infrastructure failure. If you want to back locally made, vote Labor at the next election.”

While the second generation Emerald ferries were fitted out by Aussie shipbuilders Birdon in Port Macquarie, the bodies were built in China.

The reported incidents are the latest in a long line of problems to strike the foreign-built fleet, which have included steering failures and windows shattering in heavy swells.

A Transport NSW spokeswoman said there would be no impact to commuters following the Clontarf’s breakdown.

“Transport for NSW has liaised with Transdev about the Clontarf engine failure as a matter of urgency. No vessel or vehicle is free of technical or mechanical issues from time to time,” he said.