Manly Fast Ferry Explained
Manly Fast Ferry is an Australian ferry operator that services the areas of Botany Bay and Port Jackson.
History
Since January 1965, the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company and its successors had operated high speed hydrofoil and later JetCat services between Circular Quay and Manly.[1]
In December 2008, the New South Wales State Government, decided the Sydney Ferries JetCat service would cease and called for tenders to operate the service on a commercial basis.[2]
Bass & Flinders Cruises trading as Manly Fast Ferry commenced operating the service on 10 February 2009 on an interim basis until March 2010.[3]
On 1 April 2010, Sydney Fast Ferries commenced a five-year franchise to operate the service.[4] [5] However Manly Fast Ferry continued to operate services between Circular Quay Wharf 6 and Manly East Pier via Taronga Zoo and Watsons Bay.[6]
In July 2014, expressions of interest were sought for the next franchise with Bass & Flinders Cruises, SeaLink Travel Group, Sydney Fast Ferries and Transit Systems responding.[7] [8] [9] In December 2014, the franchise was awarded to Bass & Flinders Cruises.[10] [11]
Operations commenced on 1 April 2015 with three existing vessels from Bass & Flinders fleet along with two leased vessels. Four new Incat built vessels were delivered by the end of 2015, two were 24 metres long and two were 33 metres.[12] [13] [14] In 2017, the company ordered a third 33-metre fast ferry from Incat's Hobart shipyard.[15]
Bass & Flinders also operate an Eco Hopper tourist hop on/hop off service around Sydney Harbour from Darling Harbour to Manly calling at nine locations.[16] but by 2018 this name was no longer used.
In September 2017, Bass & Flinders was renamed Manly Fast Ferry and commenced trading as My Fast Ferry.[17] [18]
In December 2017, the business was purchased by the NRMA.[19] In October 2018, Fantasea Cruising was also taken over by the NRMA with 10 ferries and 10 water taxis on Sydney Harbour and Pittwater.[20] [21] It continues to trade under its existing brand.
Notes and References
- Book: Andrews. Graeme. The Ferries of Sydney. 1975. JW Books. Brookvale. 0 589071 72 6. 53–56.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20090514074018/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/releases/081209-Manly-Fast-Service-EOI.pdf Calls for Expressions of Interest for Manly Fast Ferry
- https://web.archive.org/web/20090516072056/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/inquiries/walker-jetcat-withdrawal.html Jet Car Withdrawal and Manly Fast Ferry Commencement
- https://tenders.nsw.gov.au/?event=public.rft.showArchived&RFTUUID=F37BEFEE-D3BC-7E97-74F812C6DBA39EB4 Manly High Speed Ferry Service
- https://tenders.nsw.gov.au/?event=public.cn.view&CNUUID=3AA0435C-98B4-42ED-3271E64D43A0EB8E Contract Notice Award Detail
- http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/battle-to-be-the-last-fast-ferry-on-the-harbour-20100408-rv5r.html Battle to be the last fast ferry on the harbour
- https://tenders.nsw.gov.au/?event=public.rft.showArchived&RFTUUID=F98F8C1A-004E-81DE-0066D8951991903D Fast Ferry Service Contract between Circular Quay and Manly
- http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/opinions-of-commuters-wanted-on-four-fast-ferry-tenderers/story-fngr8hax-1227119755804?nk=b8b6361c4054bb2cc7e33efaae969659 Opinions of commuters wanted on four fast ferry tenderers
- http://www.smh.com.au/business/terry-dodd-has-each-way-bet-on-manly-fast-ferries-tender-20141202-11yf2q.html Terry Dodd has each way bet on Manly fast ferries tender
- http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/cheaper-fares-more-services-and-new-vessels-manly-fast-ferry-customers Cheaper fares, more services and new vessels for Manly Fast Ferry customers
- https://web.archive.org/web/20150227200634/http://www.manlyfastferry.com.au/news/46-mff-wins-tender MFF wins tender
- http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/rough-seas-in-new-fast-ferry-deal-involving-the-two-current-operators/story-fngr8hax-1227279990418 Rough seas in new fast ferry deal involving the two current operators
- http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-02/tasmanian-shipbuilder-incat-wins-contract-for-manly-ferries/6440034 Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat wins contract to build four Manly fast ferries
- http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/incat-scores-multi-million-dollar-manly-ferry-coup/story-fnj4f7k1-1227332296261 Incat scores multi-million dollar Manly ferry coup
- https://web.archive.org/web/20180319170341/http://www.incat.com.au/hull-092.html Hull 092
- https://web.archive.org/web/20130114022648/http://www.sydneyharbourecohopper.com.au/ Eco Hopper
- https://connectonline.asic.gov.au/RegistrySearch/faces/landing/bn/SearchBnRegisters.jspx?_adf.ctrl-state=w4ibpn8n6_4 Manly Fast Ferry
- https://connectonline.asic.gov.au/RegistrySearch/faces/landing/bn/SearchBnRegisters.jspx?_adf.ctrl-state=w4ibpn8n6_21 My Fast Ferry
- https://www.mynrma.com.au/community/news-and-media-centre/nrma-invests-in-manly-fast-ferry NRMA invests in Manly Fast Ferry
- https://www.mynrma.com.au/community/news-and-media-centre/nrma-acquires-fantasea-cruising NRMA acquires Fantasea Cruising
- https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2018/11/nrma-buys-palm-beach-ferry-service/ NRMA buys Palm Beach ferry service
