 Dawn Fraser in Darling Harbour in December 2014 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders |
|
| Operators | |
| Completed | 7 |
| Active | 1 |
| Retired | 1 |
| Scrapped | 5 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Catamaran |
| Length | 37.0 metres |
| Beam | 10.5 metres |
| Draught | 1.4 metres |
| Decks | 1 |
| Installed power | 2 x GM 8V92TA |
| Propulsion | 2 Shotell rudder/propeller drive |
| Speed | 22 knots |
| Capacity | 230 |
| Crew | 3 |
The Sydney RiverCats are a class of catamarans operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries on the Parramatta River.
In 1991 the State Transit Authority ordered six Grahame Parker Design designed RiverCats from NQEA, Cairns to operate Parramatta River services. [1]
Named after famous Australian female athletes, the first was delivered in early 1992. [2] They replaced First Fleet class ferries on the Circular Quay to Meadowbank service on 7 May 1992. [3] [4] In December 1993 they began operating to Parramatta. [5] [6]
In October 1995, a seventh vessel built by Wavemaster International in Henderson, Western Australia was delivered, named Nicole Livingstone. [7] In 2000, Marlene Mathews participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics torch relay. [8]
Although primarily operating Parramatta River services, they also operate other Transdev Sydney Ferries services.
On 16 February 2023, Betty Cuthbert was the first vessel retired from service. [9] She was stripped for parts at Balmain Shipyard before being towed to Blackwattle Bay Marina for long-term storage, along with several decommissioned SuperCat-class ferries.
On 7 June 2024 Evonne Goolagong was withdrawn. [10] [ better source needed ] She was used as a parts source at Balmain, before briefly being relocated to Rozelle Bay, along with sister Betty Cuthbert. Both vessels were moved to Rozelle in late June 2024.
In June 2024, Betty Cuthbert and Evonne Goolagong were moved to Yamba by tugboat to be cut up for scrap by Polaris Marine Group. [11] [ better source needed ]
On 28 October 2024, Nicole Livingstone was withdrawn from service and was used for parts at Balmain Shipyard before being moved to Rozelle Bay, followed by a final movement to Yamba under tow where she was broken up in early 2025. The remaining RiverCats have been steadily getting phased out by Parramatta River class ferries since then. [12]
On 4 February 2025 Marlene Mathews was withdrawn from service. [13] Mathews was then used for parts at Balmain Shipyard, before being moved via tugboat to Rozelle Bay, where she awaited the retirement of her sister Marjorie Jackson.
On 3 June 2025 Marjorie Jackson was withdrawn from service. [14] She was then stripped of reusable parts at Balmain Shipyard, before being towed to Rozelle Bay where she was moored alongside sister vessel Marlene Mathews.
On 17 June 2025 MV Marlene Mathews and MV Marjorie Jackson were transferred by tugboat up to Yamba for scrapping. [15] By July 2025 both Marjorie Jackson and Marlene Mathews were scrapped.
On 30th of September 2025, MV Shane Gould was wastefully withdrawn from service after her 32 year long career. She will be used as a parts source until she is towed for scrapping. [16]
Against all odds, the eldest of the RiverCats MV Dawn Fraser, has outlived all her other sisters. She will continue to see service for the time being, and will most likely be withdrawn after the current summer period concludes.
| Photo of vessel | Name | Call sign | MMSI | Builder | Shipyard no. | Year in service | Namesake | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 MV Betty Cuthbert at Circular Quay, 2016. | Betty Cuthbert | 18555 | 503376100 | NQEA | 1992 | Betty Cuthbert | Scrapped | Withdrawn 16 February 2023 | |
 MV Dawn Fraser at Circular Quay, 2023. | Dawn Fraser | 18554 | 503376200 | NQEA | 1992 | Dawn Fraser | In service | ||
 MV Evonne Goolagong at Cockatoo Island, 2023. | Evonne Goolagong | 18705 | 503376300 | NQEA | 186 | 1993 | Evonne Goolagong | Scrapped | Withdrawn 7 June 2024 |
 MV Shane Gould near Homebush Bay, 2025. | Shane Gould | 18642 | 503376700 | NQEA | 184 | 1993 | Shane Gould | Retired | Withdrawn 30 September 2025 |
 MV Marlene Mathews passing Cockatoo Island, 2024. | Marlene Mathews | 18643 | 503376600 | NQEA | 185 | 1993 | Marlene Mathews | Scrapped | Withdrawn 4 February 2025 [17] |
 MV Marjorie Jackson near Barangaroo, 2025. | Marjorie Jackson | 18706 | 503376400 | NQEA | 187 | 1993 | Marjorie Jackson | Scrapped | Withdrawn 3 |
 MV Nicole Livingstone at Cockatoo Island, 2024. | Nicole Livingstone | 19044 | 503241900 | Wavemaster International | 1995 | Nicole Livingstone | Scrapped | Withdrawn 28 October 2024, Built as Nicole Stevenson, renamed after namesake returned to her maiden name. |
Media related to Sydney RiverCats at Wikimedia Commons