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.[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On 16 February 2023 Betty Cuthbert, was the first retired from service.[9] On 7 June 2024 Evonne Goolagong was withdrawn.[10]
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]
On the 28th of October 2024, Nicole Livingstone was withdrawn from service and is currently used for parts at Balmain Shipyard before being moved to Rozelle Bay where it is currently stored until eventual scrapping. The rest of the RiverCats are to be replaced by Parramatta River class ferries from 2024.[12]
| 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 | Betty Cuthbert | 18555 | 503376100 | NQEA | 1992 | Betty Cuthbert | Scrapped | Withdrawn 16 February 2023, towed to Yamba June 2024 for scrapping | ||
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 | Evonne Goolagong | 18705 | 503376300 | NQEA | 1993 | Evonne Goolagong | Scrapped | Withdrawn 7 June 2024, towed to Yamba June 2024 for scrapping | ||
MV Shane Gould passing Walsh Bay, 2024. | Shane Gould | 18642 | 503376700 | NQEA | 184 | 1993 | Shane Gould | In service | ||
MV Marlene Matthews passing Cockatoo Island, 2024. | Marlene Mathews | 18643 | 503376600 | NQEA | 185 | 1993 | Marlene Mathews | In service | ||
MV Marjorie Jackson between Sydney Sydney Olympic Park and Rydalmere | Marjorie Jackson | 18706 | 503376400 | NQEA | 186 | 1993 | Marjorie Jackson | In service | ||
MV Nicole Livingstone at Cockatoo Island, 2024. | Nicole Livingstone | 19044 | 503241900 | Wavesmster International | 1995 | Nicole Livingstone | Retired[13] | Withdrawn 28 October 2024, awaiting scrapping. Built as Nicole Stevenson, renamed after namesake returned to her maiden name |