 Dawn Fraser in Darling Harbour in December 2014 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders |
|
| Operators | |
| Completed | 7 |
| Active | 2 |
| 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 [9] On 7 June 2024 Evonne Goolagong was withdrawn. [10] [ better source needed ]
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On 28 October 2024, Nicole Livingstone was withdrawn from service and was used for parts at Balmain Shipyard before being moved to Rozelle Bay, followed by a final movement to Yamba under tow where she was broken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 rest of the RiverCats are to be replaced by Parramatta River class ferries from 2024. [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On 4 February 2025 Marlene Mathews was withdrawn from service.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 was stripped of parts.
On 3 June 2025 Marjorie Jackson was withdrawn from service. [14] It was then moved via tugboat to Rozelle Bay where she was stripped of parts, also being 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.
| 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 | In service | |
 MV Marlene Mathews passing Cockatoo Island, 2024. | Marlene Mathews | 18643 | 503376600 | NQEA | 185 | 1993 | Marlene Mathews | Scrapped | Withdrawn 4 February 2025 [16] |
 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