Austin Hart opens about his love of operating the Queenscliff, an iconic Manly ferry service

Austin Hart loves his job as master of the ferry Queenscliff. He reveals the challenges of the job, how he earned the opportunity to skipper the iconic vessel and how he followed in his father’s footsteps.

Austin Hart. Picture: Matt Champion. www.champphotography.com.au

London has its red double deckers, Japan the bullet train and San Francisco its cable cars. For Sydney, it is our green and yellow ferries that are recognisable around the world, a lifeline for northern beaches commuters.

Austin Hart, as master of the Queenscliff, has the responsibility of getting thousands of people to work and back again each day.

Captain Ron Hart skippering the ferry Queenscliff on its maiden voyage. July 9, 1983 Picture: Supplied

“It’s a great job,” the 53-year-old from Narrabeen said. “Even on a bad day it’s a great place to be. It is an iconic service and it’s a privilege to be part of it.”

Ferries are in Mr Hart’s blood. His father, Ron, worked for the company and was the first master of the Queenscliff, from 1983 to 1989. Growing up he remembers his dad working on the ferries and thinking how cool his job was.

Austin Hart. Picture: Matt Champion. www.champphotography.com.au

Mr Hart Jr started out working on tugs and launches on the harbour before starting work on the ferries in 2002. Three years later he moved on to the Manly/Circular Quay route before following his father and becoming the master of the Queenscliff in 2013. To mark his connection to the Queenscliff he commissioned Manly photographer Matt Champion to document a day in his life.

Manly MP Alan Stewart and Wakehurst MP Tom Webster watching Captain Ron Hart skipper the ferry Queenscliff on its maiden voyage. July 9, 1983 Picture: Supplied

While the 30-minute crossing may be an opportunity to relax for passengers, it is anything but that for the man at the helm. Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s busiest bodies of water with fishing boats, yachts and mega cruise ships all jostling for space.

Captain Ron Hart skippering the ferry Queenscliff on its maiden voyage. July 9, 1983 Picture: Supplied

Austin Hart. Picture: Matt Champion. www.champphotography.com.au

The International Regulation for Preventing Collisions at Sea, or COLREGS, keep everyone safe on the harbour. Ships must be navigated on the starboard side (right) and when approaching another vessel alter their course to starboard.

“We’re on a timetable so the general rule is to keep out of our way,” Mr Hart said. “You have to be concentrating all the time.

Collisions on the harbour are very rare but being at close quarters is very common.”

Mr Hart must keep his eyes on other ships and also be aware of what Mother Nature is doing. “We do get heavy seas fairly frequently, particularly between the Heads,” he said.

Austin Hart. Picture: Matt Champion. www.champphotography.com.au

Ferries will often deviate their course and head into the swell to make the crossing smoother for passengers. “They are hugely popular and we have passengers from all over the world. It’s a privilege.”