Competition to name new Sydney ferries set to inspire Sydney wits to do better than Boaty McBoatface

SYDNEYSIDERS have a chance to go one better than the poms, with a naming competition announced for six new Sydney ferries.

A Sydney ferry negotiates its way through boats at Mosman Bay.

SYDNEYSIDERS have a chance to go one better than the poms, with a naming competition announced for six new Sydney ferries.

English wits responded hilariously to an online competition to name a new Royal Research Ship (RRS) earlier this year, with the overwhelming winner of the public poll being “Boaty McBoatface”.

Other suggestions included “RMS Usain Boat”, “RRS I Like BigBoats&I Cannot Lie” and “RRS Watch Out for the Iceberg”.

“Boaty McBoatface” was the winner of a competition to name this vessel.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance announced the public poll for the six new Sydney ferries today.

“This is an Australian first, we’re opening up naming suggestions to the public and six of those names will take a place in Sydney’s history forever,” Mr Constance said.

From today until August 11, anyone can put forward suggestions which will be considered by a four person panel.

The panel comprises Director and Chief executive of the Australian National Maritime Museum Kevin Sumption, former NSW Volunteer of the Year Patrick Dodd, NSW Young Australian of the Year Melissa Abu-Gazaleh and Director and Chief Executive of the Australian Museum Kim McKay.

All suggestions should fall within one of three distinct categories: Arts and Culture, Connections to Sydney Harbour or Science, Environment and Innovation.

“Boaty McBoatface” inspired a nation.

Names will be judged on originality and the connection they have with NSW. But local wits will have to be extra clever, with the spoilsport Minister adding that suggestions deemed unsuitable for any category will not be considered.

Five names have already been placed inside each category to provide inspiration for prospective participants.

Once submissions close, the panel will add the most fitting nine names to each category, which will be put to a public vote from late August.

Australian ship builders Incat have already started work on the new ferry fleet in Tasmania.

Each vessel will increase capacity, carrying up to 400 customers and operate on the Inner Harbour.

The first of the new ferries will join the Sydney fleet this summer.

“The new fleet will quickly become part of the Harbour vista for locals and visitors, and we need the names to reflect Sydney and NSW,” Mr Constance said.

Participants who make naming suggestions are encouraged to register their details online for their chance to win one of 50 family passes to take a ride on one of the new ferries with the selection panel. People are encouraged to share their suggestions in social media by using the hashtag #yourferry as well as tagging @TransportforNSW on Instagram.

Despite the overwhelming victory for “Boaty McBoatface”, which received 124,000 votes in England, authorities decided to name the new research vessel in honour of Sir David Attenborough.

However, the ship’s remotely-controlled undersea vessel will carry the “Boaty McBoatface” moniker.

Visit www.nameyourferry.com.au to take part in the ferry competition.

Go to the Mosman Daily’s Facebook page to let us know some of your suggestions.