Purpose-built ferries to join the fast Manly fleet; more to come

THE MANLY Fast Ferry company has two Christmas presents for commuters in the form of two new fast ferries – Ocean Wave and Ocean Tracker.

Co Director Richard Ford of Manly Fast Ferries dons a Santa outfit to launch the two new Fast Ferry boats starting service today. Picture: Braden Fastier

THE MANLY Fast Ferry company has two new Christmas presents for commuters in the form of two new fast ferries – Ocean Wave and Ocean Tracker.

The two 24m boats can each carry 260 passengers and will replace the chartered boats Fantasea Freedom and Fantasea Dreamer, while the Manly Fast Ferry-owned Arafura Pearl will be dedicated to the company’s Darling Harbour’s service.

Manly Fast Ferry co-director Richard Ford said it was a special day for the company to have the two purpose-built Australian-designed and built vessels joining the fleet.

“It will be good to see the customers’ reaction to the design elements of the new boats,” he said.

“There will be dual gangways, so it will only take two or three minutes to embark and disembark passengers at each end.

“There will also be bike racks, phone chargers and lots of other features.

“They’re really first-class boats and we’re really looking forward to getting them on the run.”

The vessels were designed by One2three naval architects in Sydney and built by the world-famous Tasmanian builder of high-speed boat, Incat.

The boats took 36 hours to motor from Hobart to Botany Bay, where they arrived last Friday and unloaded spare parts.

State Premier and Manly MP Mike Baird said he was delighted to welcome Ocean Wave and Ocean Tracker to Manly, “both of which will begin immediate service with the Manly Fast Ferry fleet”.

“This is a terrific Christmas present for Manly commuters with these Australian designed and manufactured vessels adding additional capacity and dual entry/exit points”

“Two additional boats will be delivered in the New Year bringing the Manly Fast Ferry fleet to full capacity for 2016.”