What Crew Members Say About Narrabeen

The 'Narrabeen', a beloved ferry that had faced the risk of being scrapped in New South Wales, has officially returned to service after undergoing an extensive refurbishment. This iconic vessel, which is a staple of Sydney Harbour, has resumed operations on the F1 Circular Quay – Manly route thanks to a successful campaign to preserve its legacy. Initially removed from service and marked for dismantling in 2021 alongside its sister ship, the 'Queenscliff', the 'Narrabeen' was deemed too costly to maintain due to its age. Meanwhile, two other ferries, the 'Freshwater' and 'Collaroy', were slated to continue their journeys while the government invested in newer Emerald-class vessels. However, the NSW government reversed its decision after acknowledging the challenges that accompanied the introduction of the Emerald class, which faced steering issues, fuel tank cracks, and operational difficulties in rough waters. The outcry from passionate community advocates helped prompt the decision to retain the 'Narrabeen', 'Queenscliff', and 'Freshwater' in active service with the necessary upgrades to extend their lifespan. Unlike its sisters, the 'Collaroy' was retired due to mechanical discrepancies. After a substantial investment of US$46 million, the 'Narrabeen' underwent a remarkable restoration led by a talented team of shipbuilders, engineers, electricians, painters, and plumbers. This overhaul included a complete engine renovation, modern control system installations, hull repairs, updates to passenger facilities, and CCTV enhancements. The revival of the 'Narrabeen' also allows for the 'Freshwater' to enter dry dock for her scheduled repairs and upgrades, ensuring she remains operational through at least 2030. With these significant life-extending measures, the future of these iconic ferries remains bright on the stunning waters of Sydney Harbour.

On December 16 at 2:40 PM, a serious maritime incident occurred in Sydney Harbour when the Manly-bound ferry "Narrabeen" collided with the sailing yacht "Bennie And The Jets" near Fort Denison. The impact resulted in two individuals being thrown overboard, including the yacht's skipper, who were not wearing life vests. Fortunately, they managed to climb back onto the vessel following the collision. The aftermath saw one person sustaining a chest laceration, another suffering from a leg injury, and a third experiencing chest pain. The skipper reported bruises to his head and leg but remained aboard the yacht, which was later towed to nearby Rushcutters Bay. Emergency services promptly responded, treating the injured, which included a two-year-old child also experiencing chest pain. A total of seven passengers from the yacht were transported to St. Vincent's Hospital via ambulance, with reports of two having minor injuries and a 76-year-old man facing chest pain complications. The force of the collision was significant enough to break the yacht’s mast and inflict damage on the port side of the stern. Following the incident, the ferry proceeded to its destination at Wharf III in Manly, where it was taken out of service due to scratches at the bow. Both the ferry and yacht operators underwent breath testing, yielding negative results. At the time of the accident, the yacht had 12 adults and two children on board, despite being licensed to carry up to 17. For further coverage, including photos and videos of the incident, visit these links: [News.com](http://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/manly-ferry-crashes-into-yacht-in-sydney-harbour/news-story/f6201503b29a4e65a7a2787f72a26fdd), [The West](https://thewest.com.au/news/australia/manly-ferry-collides-with-yacht-in-sydney-harbour-ng-fb7ec59c93a418582c8c936ea86648ae), [The New Daily](https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/nsw/2017/12/16/ferry-crash-yacht-sydney-harbour/), [9 News](https://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/12/16/15/57/ferry-collides-with-yacht-in-sydney-harbour), and [Daily Telegraph](https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/manly-ferry-collides-with-yacht-in-sydney-harbour/news-story/fb7ec59c93a418582c8c936ea86648ae).

On November 14, 2010, passengers aboard the ferry 'Narrabeen' (IMO 8310619) faced an unexpected delay of nearly an hour while en route from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf, Sydney. The ferry made its 7:40 a.m. departure but encountered clutch issues that forced it to anchor just 200 meters from the wharf. With approximately 50 commuters onboard, the vessel had to retreat toward the Heads as an engineer worked to resolve the mechanical failure. After approximately 45 minutes, the ferry was able to dock around 9:00 a.m., resulting in the cancellation of the subsequent 8:20 a.m. ferry from Manly to Circular Quay. In response to the inconvenience caused, Sydney Ferries announced that affected passengers would be eligible for free travel on November 15.