Manly Fast Ferry

Manly Fast Ferry
Founded2009
FounderRichard Ford
Will Ford
HeadquartersSans Souci,
Sydney
,
Australia
Area served
Botany Bay
Port Jackson
ServicesFerry operator
ParentNRMA
WebsiteMy Fast Ferry

Manly Fast Ferry is an Australian ferry operator that services the areas of Botany Bay and Port Jackson.

History

[edit]

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][citation needed]

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.

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Manly Fast Ferry.
  1. ^ Andrews, Graeme (1975). The Ferries of Sydney. Brookvale: JW Books. pp. 53–56. ISBN 0 589071 72 6.
  2. ^ Calls for Expressions of Interest for Manly Fast Ferry Minister for Transport 9 December 2008
  3. ^ Jet Car Withdrawal and Manly Fast Ferry Commencement NSW Ministry of Transport
  4. ^ Manly High Speed Ferry Service Archived 13 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 10 August 2009
  5. ^ Contract Notice Award Detail Archived 13 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 8 March 2010
  6. ^ Battle to be the last fast ferry on the harbour Archived 2 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 9 April 2010
  7. ^ Fast Ferry Service Contract between Circular Quay and Manly Archived 13 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 17 July 2014
  8. ^ Opinions of commuters wanted on four fast ferry tenderers Manly Daily 12 November 2014
  9. ^ Terry Dodd has each way bet on Manly fast ferries tender Archived 21 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 3 December 2014
  10. ^ Cheaper fares, more services and new vessels for Manly Fast Ferry customers Archived 17 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 13 December 2014
  11. ^ MFF wins tender Manly Fast Ferry 13 December 2014
  12. ^ Rough seas in new fast ferry deal involving the two current operators Daily Telegraph 26 March 2015[dead link]
  13. ^ Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat wins contract to build four Manly fast ferries Archived 5 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine ABC News 2 May 2015
  14. ^ Incat scores multi-million dollar Manly ferry coup Archived 5 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine Hobart Mercury 3 May 2015
  15. ^ Hull 092 Incat
  16. ^ Eco Hopper Bass & Flinders
  17. ^ Manly Fast Ferry ASIC 23 June 2018
  18. ^ My Fast Ferry ASIC 28 September 2017
  19. ^ NRMA invests in Manly Fast Ferry Archived 29 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine NRMA 7 December 2017
  20. ^ NRMA acquires Fantasea Cruising Archived 11 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine NRMA 25 October 2018
  21. ^ NRMA buys Palm Beach ferry service Archived 19 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine Coast Community News 5 November 2018
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