The iconic Manly Freshwater Class ferries look set to be ‘phased out’

The iconic fleet of Manly ferries — which have been operating for nearly 40 years — appear set to be phased out by the route’s operators. But the plan has been met with some backlash.

The iconic ferries are to be phased out over the next few years. Picture: Bradley Hunter

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The iconic Manly Ferries appear set to be phased out by the route’s operators.

Staff were briefed about the plan last week although an exact date for their retirement from the Harbour is yet to be confirmed.

Ferry bosses gave a presentation to staff in which they were told the Freshwater class ferries — the Collaroy, Freshwater, Narrabeen and Queenscliff — will be “phased out” during the life of the current Harbour City Ferries contract which is nine years.

Pictured is the Narrabeen which can carry more than 1000 passengers. Picture: Bradley Hunter.

Staff were told they could be replaced by the smaller and faster Emerald Class ferries which currently service shorter routes on the harbour.

Transport for NSW confirmed the smaller ferries would soon be operating between Manly and Circular Quay but said no decision had been made on the fate of the four Freshwater Class ferries.

A slide from the staff presentation reads: “What is the future of the Freshwater Class Ferries?

“We can safely assume that they will probably be phased out during the life of the current contact.

“The current fleet are expensive to maintain and operate with significantly lower customer numbers recorded outside of summer and Sundays.

“The Freshwater Class could be replaced by the Emerald Class ferries which will be faster, meaning quicker and more frequent journeys between Manly & CQ.”

The Freshwater Class ferries came into service in 1982 and are an icon of Sydney.

They are the largest ferries on the harbour with capacity for around 1100. In comparison the Emerald Class ferries carry around 400.

The smaller but faster Emerald Class ferries (pictured is May Gibbs) will take their place. Picture: Facebook @Ferries of Sydney page

While ferry bosses say the proposal will lead to quicker travel times, there are concerns about the move.

Paul Garrett, from the Maritime Union of Australia, said he would be seeking more information on the proposal.

“They’re iconic and they need to stay on the harbour,” he said of the Freshwater Class ferries.

“It will be to the detriment of Manly if they get rid of the ferries,” former Manly councillor Hugh Burns added. “The smaller ferries will not have the capacity for the tourist season. There needs to be more community consultation.”

Images of the Manly Freshwater ferries have appeared in guide books around the world. Picture: Bradley Hunter

A Transport for NSW spokesman confirmed Emerald Class ferries would start operating the Manly to Circular Quay route although no details were given as to when.

He also said the future of the Freshwater Class ferries was yet to be decided.

“Faster and more frequent services will be delivered on the F1 Many route using Emerald Class ferries,” he said in a statement.

“No decision has been made on the future of Freshwater Class ferries.”

Manly MP James Griffin argued there was a future for the old ferries.

“I’ve caught the Freshwater class ferries all my life, and like most of our community, I associate the iconic ferry with our home, Manly,” he said.

“I personally think there is an opportunity in the years ahead to not only explore increasing the frequency of the ferries from Manly during peak hour by using the Emerald Class (smaller, quicker vessels) but also maintain the iconic Freshwater class ferries to service Manly at other times of the day, including weekends.”

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