Another classic ferry! Sydney Ferries First Fleet class
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- čas přidán 5. 05. 2022
- After quite a hiatus since my last ferry review, I am glad to finally be able to have a proper look at another classic from Sydney harbour, the First Fleet class ferries.
With nearly forty years of service under their belts, and a recent refurbishment, these vessels have proven themselves to be a core part of the network, and by the looks of it, will do for some time to come, so I thought it was only right to have a closer look.
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Image Credits:
(Captain Cook ferry) By Bahnfrend - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
(Kanangra Ferry) Dufty, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons - upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...
(Supply ferry) JJ Harrison (www.jjharrison.com.au/), CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
(Lady Edeline ferry) Unknown. Courtesy of the Ross and Pat Craig Collection, University of Newcastle (Australia), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
what a great video! I hope to see some more ferry videos!
Glad someone else likes ferries, I've always found them a relaxing way to travel. Unfortunately, it's a rare treat for me, now that i live 5 hours drive West of Sydney...
You can literally see the place where I stayed on my long weekend there, I also went on Supply while I was there.
Nice! Looks like someone went for some fancier accommodation than I did then 🤣
The refit made some of the vessels slower, by about 1 knot, making it average 11.5 knots, some of the vessels came back from Port Macquarie heavier than others, while others came back lighter. Alexander is the heaviest of all the First Fleet class ferries, due to there being 2 generators on board.
Interesting, that's the sort of info that's hard to find out about without having inside sources. Has the 1 knot speed difference had any noticeable impact on operations and scheduling in practice?
This ferry has been upgraded inside
So just FYI, the blue electric ferry at 1:42 is the Pyrmont & Barangaroo shuttle service run by Manly Fast Ferry. The green one just before at 1:28 is the F10 Blackwattle Grove service, though I can’t find any conclusive evidence about if it’s diesel or electric (probably diesel).
Regardless, great review!
Ahh okay, That became more clear over the last few days as I was out that way for a conference. I always had though the ferry on the F10 was the electric one, but seems to be two different things. The ferry on the F10 also bears more than just a passing resemblance to Brisbane's Kitty Cat vessels.
Kitty Cat is such a fun name too. Thanks for the reply 😊
Not sure if its an unpopular opinion amongst Ferry enthusiasts, but the Fleeter's are more of a cultural icon than the Freshwaters. The stubby, double deck, flying bridge design with green and gold livery is synonymous with Sydney Harbour as depicted in multiple forms of media over the years.
One little correction.
The first refit of the First Fleet class were repowered with MTU units as you stated, however the most recent refit (that’s showcased in the Vid) are powered by Scania Marine diesels.
Regardless awesome video!
Glad you enjoyed! I think we probably see eye to eye on this one. The First Fleet plays an important role for the inner harbour and the Emerald is an extension of that (although haven't caught one in quite a while though).
Unfortunately finding up to date info is easier said than done for equipment (as operators don't exactly run around bragging about engine changes). And living out West, it's easier said than done catching Ferries now!
When was this ferry built?
I have to say, these ferries are so much better than the Emerald class. Inside the cabin there are hardly any rattles or shakes. (compared to the Emerald class). It seems very surprising that there is a 30 year difference between the making of these ferries. I am still yet to travel on the newer Emerald class. I don't believe these Emerald ferries will last very long compared to the first fleet... what are your thoughts.
I think the Emeralds serve quite a different purpose, being that bit larger. Once the 'teething problems' are worked through, i expect both generations of Emerald class ferries will go on to live long, solid lives. And like the First Fleet class, which received a new engine, I wouldn't be surprised if the Emerald ferries go electric somewhere in their lifetime, which could potentially minimise engine vibrations. But, that will be a decision for the operator to make, and not speculators on the internet 🤣
@@TalkingPlanning Yeah you have a valid point and it would be interesting to be on an Emerald ferry with a electric motor! Love your videos, keep up the hard work!!
I believe these ferries run Scania engines.
Also, where were the first Emerald ferries built. I am still confused if they were built in Tasmania or China. Do you know?
First generation of Emeralds were built by inCat in Tasmania.
@@TalkingPlanning what about 2nd gen?
when you get back to Sydney can you also review the newer, infamous river class ferries? I've been on one once from darling point to circular quay and I'm quite impressed!! I'm not so sure about the upper deck and at the rear of vessel the engines remind of something you'd find on a Scania Irizar i6
@@oliverrimo watch this space... I have caught a few of them and must say I was a lot more impressed than the average 'enthusiast' might be. Just need to work out how to sugar coat that news to people who won't share that opinion 🤣
@@TalkingPlanning Yeah haha... I see what your talking about 😂. Apart from couple of the ferries containing asbestos and height concerns for bridges up the parramatta river. Some genius must of thought that one through ahahahahahah