Second Manly ferry saved for weekend tourism trips

Half the famed Manly ferry fleet has now been saved from the scrap heap after a campaign to preserve them.

Half of the famed Manly ferry fleet has now been saved from the scrap heap by the NSW government following a campaign to preserve the ­famous Sydney Harbour ­vessels.

A second Manly ferry, the Freshwater, will remain on the water alongside sister ship, the Collaroy, to carry tourists across the harbour on weekends, Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced.

A Freshwater ferry on a high swell in the harbour.

Mr Constance promised in November to save at least one of the Freshwater-class ­ferries and said the decision to preserve a second had ­required “balance”.

The move comes after pressure from the community, local Liberal MP James Griffin and The Daily Telegraph to keep the Manly ferry on the harbour.

“This decision is about balancing the needs of all our customers, with the community feedback and additional maintenance costs, and moving forward with a solution that we can all get on-board with,” Mr Constance said.

The fleet of four Freshwater-class ferries were commissioned between 1982 and 1988 and are the oldest ­continually serving vessels on the harbour.

The Freshwater and the Collaroy will carry tourists between Circular Quay and Manly every hour on weekends and public holidays from mid-year while a fleet of new Emerald-class boats will ­service commuters as frequently as every 15 minutes during the week.

Mr Griffin thanked Mr Constance for listening to the community’s feedback.

“This decision strikes the right balance between keeping the grand old boats for tourists and residents who want to enjoy the scenic trip to Manly on weekends and public holidays and a more frequent service that commuters want during the week,” he said.

The Freshwater will soon come out of service to receive major maintenance ahead of its new role.

A ferry on the harbour at night. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The remaining three ferries will continue to run services until the Narrabeen and Queenscliff officially ­retire in the middle of the year and the Emerald Class vessels begin operating.

Mr Constance said the new generation of smaller ferries would suit the needs of commuters better.

“Weekday commuters, who want faster and more ­frequent services, will be served exclusively by the new generation Emerald class ­vessels, which are fully ­accessible, more energy ­efficient and cheaper to run,” he said.

Plans to farewell the Narrabeen and Queenscliff ferries will be announced later this year.