Ferry McFerryface wasn’t public pick for new ferry name until Andrew Constance’s ‘captain’s pick’

NSW Transport Minister was warned of the risk of the Ferry McFerryface name, but went ahead anyway and made his own “Captain’s Pick”.

TRANSPORT Minister Andrew Constance was warned by senior bureaucrats of the risk of the controversial Ferry McFerryface name, but went ahead anyway and made his own “Captain’s Pick”.

Freedom of information documents obtained by Channel Nine show that the cost of a public competition to name the new fleet of Sydney Harbour ferries cost $100,000.

All aboard ... Ferry McFerryface. Picture: Getty Images

It was reported that not only was the name McFerryface ineligible to be accepted under the government’s own criteria but it attracted just 182 votes compared with Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan garnering 2025 eligible votes.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance. Picture: Christian Gilles

The ferry’s name was a controversial pick. Picture: Simon Bullard

Transport for NSW briefed Mr Constance about “mitigating the risk of satirical naming campaigns” and avoiding “the highly publicised mishaps in the naming of ships in other jurisdictions”.

But in a statement last night Mr Constance’s office said media reports were “incorrect” about the ferry naming process.

A spokeswoman said the first round of votes for names showed Ferry McFerryface received 229 nominations and Ian Kiernan received 17.

“The second round of public voting did not include Ferry McFerry Face as an option,” the statement said.

The ferry is officially named Emerald 6 for maritime purposes and branded Ferry McFerry Face.

Originally published as Ferry McFerryface wasn’t public pick for new ferry name until Andrew Constance’s ‘captain’s pick’