Manly Freshwater ferries to return to weekdays if Labor wins power at next election

The popular 40-year-old Manly ferries would make a comeback to regular weekday services under a NSW Labor Government.

The old iconic Manly ferries will be returned to weekday services if Labor wins government at the next state election.

Ahead of a community “Save the Manly Ferry” rally on Sunday, Opposition Transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen’s office confirmed Labor would put “as many as possible” of the four Freshwater-class vessels back on the Monday to Friday runs to Circular Quay.

And a new government, under current Opposition leader Chris Minns, would also provide an express ferry option to commuters — but not necessarily use the troubled fleet of generation-2 Emerald-class ferries now operating on the route.

The recently refurbished Freshwater could return to weekday service if Labor wins the next state election. Picture: Richard Dobson

Labor’s ferry pledge comes as a community push to have electric powered vessels on the Manly to Circular Quay run will begin in the lead up to the election in March 2023.

Northern Beaches deputy mayor Candy Bingham has confirmed she was helping organise a lobbying effort to have electric ferries, with a seating capacity similar to the Freshwater-class vessels, take over Manly services.

Ms Bingham said a well known naval architect has been drafted in to come up with concept designs to be put to transport officials.

The Freshwater-class ferries — Narrabeen, Freshwater, Collaroy and Queenscliff — were taken out of service to be replaced by the smaller, faster and more frequent Emerald-class twin-hulled ferries.

The Freshwater Ferry sits in Circular Quay during an Easter Sunday service in April, 2022. Picture: David Swift

The government argued the nearly 40-year-old ferries were costing too much to run and maintain.

Two of the Freshwater ferries — Freshwater and Collaroy — are used on the route on weekends and public holidays only. The Queenscliff may also return to weekend services.

But the new fleet of three Emerald Gen 2 ferries, which all came into service by the end of 2021, has been beset by problems including cracks in the hull of one vessel, while another was forced to get repaired after a vibrating propeller caused excessive noise.

All three generation 2 Emerald-class ferries are in service at the moment. Picture: NSW Government

A new gangway had to be installed after it was discovered the new vessels were unable to load and unload passengers on the west side of Manly Wharf in low tide.

There have also been concerns that the smaller ferries, which was designed with wave-piercing hulls, would struggle in large swells while moving across Sydney Heads.

Ms Haylen’s office said on Friday that a Labor Government would be committed to returning refurbished Freshwaters to regular weekday services.

It also said there would still be a need for an express service on the Manly route and that discussions would be held with Transport officials about whether other vessels in the Sydney Harbour fleet, not necessarily the Gen 2 Emeralds, would be used.

An Emerald Class 2 ferry, used on the Manly to Circular Quay route, battles huge swells near Sydney Heads during heavy sea trials on Sydney Harbour. Picture: Mark Crawley

In a letter to be read out at the Save the Manly Ferry rally outside the old Manly Town Hall at 11am on Sunday, Ms Haylen wrote that the current Coalition government had a “failed policy” in getting rid of the “beloved, reliable, Australian-made” Freshwater ferries.

“The people of Manly and the northern beaches deserve a reliable Manly ferry service, which isn’t reliant on overseas built ferries, filled with defects, and which are constantly being taken out of service,” she wrote.

“That’s why I’ll keep working with you to return as many Freshwater class ferries as possible back to the Manly run …

“And that’s why I’ll work with you to deliver a better express service because the Emerald 2 ferries are simply not up to the task, particularly in rough seas”.

NSW Opposition transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen said Labor was committed to returning as many Freshwater class ferries as possible back to the Manly run. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Transport for NSW said on Friday that the current NSW Government was committed to retaining two Freshwater Class ferries to operate alongside the Gen 2 Emerald ferries on weekends and public holidays.

“Transport for NSW is currently considering its options for the ferry fleet in the short and medium term,” a spokesman said. “This includes establishing a timeline to reinstate the Queenscliff to service and how the rest of the fleet can be best used to maintain a reliable service for customers.

“It is expected the Queenscliff and the Freshwater will remain in ongoing operation. A plan for the retirement and disposal of the Collaroy and Narrabeen is currently in development.”

The spokesman also pointed out that regardless of the vessel class operating the Manly route, ferry services rarely operated during swells at or above 4.5m, for customer comfort reasons.

“Swells in excess of 4.5m are a rare occurrence, impacting less than 3 per cent of F1 ferry services.

“The Second Generation Emerald Class ferries are purpose built to operate in heavy swells, fully accessible, significantly reduce carbon emissions and allow for more weekly services to better suit the needs of customers.”