My Fast Ferry jobs: Manly route looking for more captains and crew as timetable expands

The popular fast ferry service between Manly and the city is on the hunt for more captains and crew as its peak commuter timetable is set to expand.

My Fast Ferry crew members, daughter and father, Teigan and Chris Copeland. The ferry operators have started a recruitment drive for more captains, crew and customer service staff to work ahead of the expansion of their Manly to Circular Quay service timetable later this year. Picture: My Fast Ferry

A recruitment drive has started to hire more captains and crew members to work on a Sydney Harbour ferry route.

The NRMA-owned My Fast Ferry, which carries passengers between Manly and Circular Quay, needs at least 20 more staff to meet a promise of increased commuter services.

As part of a new 15-year contract it inked with the NSW Government in December, My Fast Ferry will offer journeys — towards the middle of the year — to the city every 10 minutes during the morning and afternoon peak periods.

It currently operates more than 500 services a week with 20 minutes between boats on weekdays.

My Fast Ferry will be increasing its peak hour services between Manly and Circular Quay, to run every 10 minutes, later this year and needs more captains and crew. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The increase in peak hour services will make the fast ferry an even stronger competitor to the government’s ferry service, which has been the focus of media attention after the introduction of the troubled Emerald Generation 2 vessels last year.

And the service is expected to attract more passengers once it is linked to the Opal card fare systems from he middle of the year. The cost of the fast ferry service will be capped at $50 a week for adults.

The My Fast Ferry vessel Ocean Adventurer is part of the fleet that will offer expanded services later in the year. Picture: Manly Daily

The NRMA is advertising for ferry captains holding Vessel Masters IV and V credentials to pilot the twin-hulled fast ferries across a seven-day per week roster to join the “NRMA Marine team”.

It is also looking for deckhands — General Purpose Hand — on the seven-day roster. Their duties include tying up the vessels at wharves, keeping the ferries clean, selling beer and wine to passengers and keeping watch during journeys.

There are also positions for Customer Service Crew for duties such as assisting customers with check-in and ticket sales and checking tickets prior to boarding.

The NRMA’s chief operating officer (Marine), Nigel Ellsmore, said on Tuesday that about 20 vacancies had been advertised.

“As we continue to expand our services, we are recruiting for a large number of roles including deckhands and vessel masters,” Mr Ellsmore said.

My Fast Ferry is looking for enthusiastic people to join their crews. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Image)

“We think our crew members are the best in the business, so we’re looking for enthusiastic people who can provide the outstanding service our customers are used to.

“Our deckhand roles require some qualifications but if you don’t have the necessary certification but love to work on the water, we can provide full training and certification.

“Our deckhand roles are a great opportunity to start a rewarding career working on the best harbour in the world.”

State Liberal MP for Manly James Griffin said the ramping-up of services during peak periods was a fantastic outcome for commuters and Manly.

“The fast ferry has been a key pillar of transport for people getting to and from Manly for a long-time – not only does it support commuters going to the city Monday to Friday, but it equally plays a huge role in our tourism economy.”

Check out the job details here.