Manly ferry: New smaller vessels can’t take on passengers during very low tide

Another issue for the trouble-plagued new Manly ferries has been revealed, with problems getting passengers on at “very low tide”.

The controversial new smaller, faster and more frequent ferries taking over the Manly to Circular Quay route have hit a snag — they can’t pull into their usual berth at “very low” tides.

Transport officials are now looking at installing a new gangway at Manly Wharf 1 to make sure passengers can board the Emerald-Class ferries no matter how low the tide gets.

Transdev, the international company which operates the Sydney Harbour ferry fleet on behalf of the NSW Government, confirmed to the Manly Daily on Thursday that, on occasion, the new twin-hulled ferries have to berth at Manly Wharf 2 — where the private My Fast Ferry vessels operate from.

The “Fairlight”, the first of the new Generation 2 Emerald Class ferries that started on the Manly run on Friday, October 29. Picture: Transport for NSW

The government ordered three new Indonesian-built vessels to replace the ageing fleet of four “Freshwater” class Manly ferries.

The first of the so-called Emerald-class Generation 2 ferries, the “Fairlight”, began operating on October 29. On Wednesday the “Balmoral” made its first trip to Manly. The third Gen 2 ferry, “Clontarf” will begin service before Christmas.

Transdev has also been using its first generation Emerald-class ferries, normally used on inner-Harbour routes, to supplement the Manly ferry services in recent weeks after the old “Queenscliff” was withdrawn from service.

All three of the new emerald class ferries that will be used on the Manly ferry run will be service before Christmas. Picture: Toby Zerna

Criticism has surrounded the introduction of the Emerald Gen 2 ferries with complaints that their introduction into service has been delayed by several months; that they won’t be able to handle the large swell across Sydney Heads and; that the windows were reportedly faulty and leaks were discovered during sea trials.

A new gangway may be needed at Manly Wharf 1 to ensure Emerald-class Generation 2 ferries can get passengers aboard at “very low tides”. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

In a statement a Transdev spokesman said on Thursday that all the Emerald Class ferries were able to berth at Manly Wharf 1 during low tide.

“It is only during a very low tide where services may need to operate from Manly Wharf 2,” the spokesman said.

“Transdev is currently investigating options for a new gangway to improve the range of tidal operations at Manly Wharf 1.”

Transport officials say the new twin-hulled ferries will be able to cope with large Harbour swell. Picture John Grainger

Transdev said “Balmoral”, the second new Emerald class ferry, took its first trip to Manly at 3pm yesterday (Wednesday) and will progressively service the Manly route in the coming weeks.

“All three new Emerald Generation 2 vessels are expected to be permanently in service on the Manly route before Christmas, bringing significant service improvements with higher frequency and shorter journey times.”

Transdev has also assured passengers the Gen 2 ferries can cope with significant swell through the Heads.

The old “Narrabeen” will be retired sometime in the next 18 months while the other two Freshwater class ferries — “Collaroy” and “Narrabeen” — will be used at the weekends, Transdev said.