Maritime Union of Australia raise fears for new Manly ferry vessels

Problems with the vessels set to replace the Manly Ferry for commuter services could delay the new boats being put into service, the Maritime Union warns.

Problems with the vessels set to replace the Manly Ferry for commuter services could delay the new boats being put into service, the Maritime Union warns.

More than 80 defects or safety observations were made by inspectors when the new Emerald Class ferries were delivered to Australia.

The problems identified by the union include faulty windows and poor plumbing in the engine rooms.

According to the Maritime Union of Australia’s safety inspections, all of the windows in the second generation Emerald Class ferries need replacing.

There are also concerns steel plating on the hulls are too thin to hold a rigid form.

The MUA believes the remediation work required to fix the problems is too complex to get the ferries into service by the middle of this year as planned.

The new Indonesian built Emerald class Sydney ferry. Picture: Nathan Edwards

The new Emerald class Sydney ferry. Pic Nathan Edwards

A Transport for NSW spokesman said a number of “improvements” that have been identified are being assessed.

“This is a rigorous and robust process to ensure each vessel meets the strictest of safety standards before entering into customer service by around the middle of the year,” the spokesman said.

Transport for NSW said seaworthiness trials of the new Emerald Class ferries were planned for later this month.

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“Trials and testing of this nature are a normal part of any commissioning process for a new fleet. A similar process was undertaken prior to introducing the first generation of Emeralds into service,” a spokesman said.

Photos of the new boats last week reveal one vessel — dubbed “Balmoral” — on the water.

Labor believes the foreign-built hulls contain problems that would not have occurred if the boats were built in Australia.

The Manly Ferry, Freshwater on Sydney Harbour.

The Manly Ferry pulls in to Many. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

There are also concerns the new vessels would not be able to handle bad weather conditions, such as those seen in the harbour this week.

“When the Freshwater ferries are due for replacement, it should be with a locally built and designed vessel that can manage heavy seas safely and reliably,” Deputy Labor Leader Yasmin Catley said.

“The cheap junk that Andrew Constance has built offshore are just no match for the Freshwaters,” Ms Catley said.

Meanwhile, state Parliament will today debate a petition signed by 22,000 people calling for the government to abandon its plans to replace the Freshwater class ferries.