Sydney RiverCat

Sydney RiverCats

Dawn Fraser in Darling Harbour in December 2014
Class overview
Builders	NQEA Wavemaster International
Operators	State Transit Authority Sydney Ferries Transdev Sydney Ferries
Completed	7
Active	6
Retired	1
General characteristics
Type	Catamaran
Length	37.0 metres
Beam	10.5 metres
Draught	1.4 metres
Decks	1
Propulsion	2 x Schottel Z-drive prop units
Speed	22 knots
Capacity	230
Crew	3
Original engines = 2 x GM 8V92TA	The Jackson and Fraser after re powering = 2 x MTU series 60	The remainder after re powering = 2 x Caterpillar C3406 The Sydney RiverCats are a class of catamarans operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries on the Parramatta River. History 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. [7] In 2000, Marlene Matthews 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 retired from service. [9] The rest of the RiverCats are to be replaced by Parramatta class ferries from 2024. [10] Shane Gould in original livery Vessels Name Call sign MMSI Builder Shipyard no Year in service Namesake Year retired Notes Betty Cuthbert 18555 503376100 NQEA 1992 Betty Cuthbert 2023 To be used for parts. Dawn Fraser 18554 503376200 NQEA 1992 Dawn Fraser Evonne Goolagong 18705 503376300 NQEA 1993 Evonne Goolagong Shane Gould 18642 503376700 NQEA 184 1993 Shane Gould Marlene Mathews 18643 503376600 NQEA 185 1993 Marlene Mathews Marjorie Jackson 18706 503376400 NQEA 186 1993 Marjorie Jackson Nicole Livingstone 19044 503241900 Wavesmster International 1995 Nicole Livingstone Built as Nicole Stevenson, renamed after namesake returned to her maiden name References Sydney Ferries Transit Australia September 1991 page 211 Olympian RiverCats Australian Transport & Distribution Management March 1992 page 1 Services Fleetline issue 204 July 1992 page 132 Sydney's New Rivercats Transit Australia August 1992 pages 171-173 Scenic cruise west in sleek comfort Daily Telegraph Mirror 9 December 1993 page 63 Timetables and routes Fleetline issue 224 March 1994 page 56 Sydney Ferries Transit Australia December 1995 page 290 Olympic Transport in Action Transit Australia December 2000 page 279 Betty Cuthbert Transdev Sydney Ferries 16 February 2023 Australian-made ferries to take to Parramatta River Transport for NSW 26 June 2023 External links Media related to Sydney RiverCats at Wikimedia Commons