The Freshwater class is a class of ferry operating the Manly ferry service between Circular Quay and Manly on Sydney Harbour. The ferries are owned by the Government of New South Wales and operated by the franchisee Transdev Sydney Ferries under the government's Sydney Ferries brand.
Steelwork for Freshwater was laid down at the State Dockyard on 31 October 1980. Strike actions delayed completion until June 1982. The ferry terminals at Circular Quay and Manly were substantially modified to accommodate the larger ferries, including the installation of wide height-adjustable two-level hydraulic ramps. Additionally a new bus-interchange was built in the wharf forecourt at Manly.
There were plans to replace the Freshwater-class ferries with three new Emerald-class catamaran ferries in 2021. After the 2023 New South Wales state election it was announced by new Transport minister Jo Haylen that the new State Government intended to return as many of the 4 Freshwater Class Ferries to full time service as possible.
MV Queenscliff is the second of the four Freshwater-class ferries and entered service on 9 July 1983. It is named after Queenscliff Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches. It was to be retired, operating its final service on 13 October 2021. However, on the 13th of June 2022 it was announced that the Queenscliff will be brought back in to service, after a refit, to replace the Collaroy due to steering problems. After belated completion of a previously routine 5 yearly dry docking, the vessel reentered service on Monday 27 November 2023.
(Wikipedia)
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