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Sydney Harbor News

26 Feb 2021

Master Convicted Over Passenger Death

The master of a Sydney Harbor passenger vessel has pleaded guilty and been convicted of one count of unreasonably placing the safety of another person at risk in the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, 22 February 2021.On behalf of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions laid charges against Paul Arthur Titze, master of the Lady Rose, for failing to comply with his general safety duties under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012.AMSA investigated the operation of the vessel following an incident in February 2019 involving a 39-year-old woman who was found dead in a bathroom on Lady Rose during a cruise.

13 Aug 2020

Indian Solar Ferry Flies Flag for Cleaner, Cheaper Water Transport

(Photo: State Water Transport Department, Government of Kerala)

Over the past three years, P. Ravindran’s commute from his southern Indian village has been about more than getting to work - the SIM card seller sees his daily trip on India’s first solar-powered ferry as doing his bit for the green revolution.“I am proud to be a frequent traveler on the Aditya... I am being part of cleaning the Earth,” said Ravindran, who uses the boat most days to travel to the town of Vaikom on Lake Vembanad.The Aditya’s green credentials have attracted international…

22 Apr 2020

Ruby Princess Crew Begins Debarking in Australia

(File photo: Princess Cruises)

The first group of Ruby Princess crew members has debarked the coronavirus-hit cruise ship in Sydney, Australia and began the process of repatriation to their home countries Tuesday, authorities said.At least 49 crew members from six countries disembarked the Carnival Corp owned cruise ship on Tuesday, and a further 115 crew members from nine countries disembarked on Wednesday.So far, 22 of the disembarked crew members have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been transported…

26 Mar 2020

Australia Orders Two Cruise Ships to Leave ... Now!

© Richie Chan/AdobeStock

Australia ordered two cruise ships to leave its waters on Thursday, after a liner that docked in Sydney Harbor last week became the primary source of infection in the country's coronavirus outbreak.Although well below levels elsewhere in the world, the pace of Australia's infections is starting to pick up speed, reaching nearly 2,800 cases and 13 deaths.The government of West Australia state said nobody would be permitted to disembark from the German-operated MV Artania after seven of 800 foreign passengers on board tested positive for the virus…

26 Feb 2019

Sydney Ferry Fatality Raises Best Practice Issue

Photo: ACO Marine

The importance of maintaining chemical toilets onboard ship has been raised following an incident in February onboard a Sydney Harbor-operating passenger ferry in which a high level of toxic gas was detected in a toilet cubicle after a passenger was fatally injured.A 39-year-old passenger was found unconscious in a toilet cubicle aboard the Lady Rose and could not be revived by paramedics. While the reasons behind her death are unconfirmed, during the initial investigation HAZMAT…

13 Dec 2017

Sydney’s Newest Ferry Begins Operations

The 27-meter catamaran passenger ferry Nancy Wake has been delivered to the Australian Public Company Sealink for operations on Sydney Harbor (Photo: Incat Crowther)

A newbuild 27-meter catamaran passenger ferry has been delivered to the Australian Public Company Sealink, and has commenced operations on Sydney Harbor. Designed by Incat Crowther and built by Aluminium Marine, Nancy Wake is a 280 passenger vessel accommodating 198 passengers inside and 82 outside. Nancy Wake is the fourth vessel of this design, which includes Incat Crowther’s new generation propeller tunnel which reduces draft and offers a flat transom to integrate with standard fixed or active interceptor systems. Fuel consumption is also reduced, the designer said.

27 Jun 2017

New Australian Navy Vessel Arrives in Home Port

Photo: Damen

Completing her maiden voyage, the Damen Multi-role Aviation Training Vessel (MATV) MV Sycamore arrived in Sydney harbor early on Monday morning. The 94-meter-long vessel is now less than a month away from deployment as a versatile multi-role vessel and helicopter training platform for the Royal Australian Navy. “It is definitely an impressive sight to see the Sycamore enter Sydney harbor,” said Damen Sales Director Asia Pacific Roland Briene. “The MATV project really highlights what can be achieved with this joint team effort.

09 May 2017

Fast Ferry Contract for Incat

Photo courtesy of Incat

Australian shipbuilder Incat has been awarded a contract for the design and construction of a large new vehicle-passenger ferry for a major European operator. The new vessel for Naviera Armas is the second vessel in Incat’s new generation 109 meter high speed wave piercing catamaran range and will operate in Spanish waters when delivered in early 2019. Born out of theIncat 112 meter, the concept was redesigned from the keel up by Incat’s in-house naval architects and engineers at Revolution Design Pty Ltd.

23 Sep 2015

Six New Ferries for Sydney Harbor

Image: Incat

Six new ferries to operate on Sydney’s Inner Harbor have been ordered from Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania’s Hobart Shipyard, who was awarded the contract to prepare detailed designs and build the new vessels. The new vessel exterior is a traditional design to look similar to the Sydney First Fleet vessels, however the 35-meter, 400-passenger boats have greater capacity than the current fleet. According to the builder, the interior will be more spacious with comfortable inside seating…

08 Sep 2015

Sydney Harbor Imposes Sulphur Cap for Cruise Ships

From 1 October, a new regulatory amendment will come into effect which requires cruise ships calling to use low sulphur fuel (01% of less) while berthed in Sydney Harbor. A second stage of the amended regulation, which will require the use of low sulphur fuel (0.1% or less) while in Sydney Harbour (including while berthed) will come into effect from 1 July 2016. Exceptions from the requirement to use low sulphur fuel are provided in some circumstances, for example, ship safety and emergency situations or technical problems. Ships may seek approval from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to use alternative methods to achieve an equivalent reduction in sulfur oxide and particulate matter emissions, for example, the use of exhaust scrubbers.

01 Jul 2014

Dinner Cruise Vessel Built for Sydney Harbor

MV Epicure (Photo courtesy of Incat Crowther)

Incat Crowther announced the launch of MV Epicure, a dinner cruise vessel operating on Sydney Harbor. The vessel, built by Aluminium Boats in Queensland, has been delivered to Epicure, a brand of the Spotless Group. Incat Crowther was approached to create a vessel catering to the high-end market. In response to the brief, Incat Crowther developed a heavily glazed vessel focused on a large forward atrium. This arrangement allows guests to board via the foredeck whilst crew operations can take place on the aft end of the vessel…

04 Oct 2013

Naval Fleet Review Begins in Sydney

USS Chosin leads JDS Makinami through Sydney Harbour during the warship entry as part of the International Fleet Review 2013. (Photo: ABIS Cassie McBride)

Australian Minister for Defense Senator David Johnston announced the entry of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet into Sydney Harbor for the International Fleet Review. Senator Johnston said the International Fleet Review was planned in partnership with the NSW Government and the City of Sydney and will draw around 40 warships, 16 tall ships, more than 60 aircraft, 10 military bands and 8,000 sailors from 17 nations around the world. The nations participating include Australia, Brunei…

02 Oct 2013

Warships Ready to Sail for Fleet Entry

Twenty Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and international warships are anchored in Jervis Bay, poised to sail into Sydney for the International Fleet Review (IFR). They will form part of a global fleet of over 40 ships making a magnificent entry into Sydney Harbour between 6 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, October 4  to commemorate the Navy’s very first fleet entry 100 years ago. Director of the IFR Captain Nick Bramwell said you can feel the excitement and anticipation of the crews in Jervis Bay.

05 Sep 2013

Australian Navy Launches International Fleet Review Mobile App

Those planning to attend the many activities associated with the International Fleet Review will have an easier time keeping track of what’s on offer with mobile phone application being launched next week by the Royal Australian Navy. The app, slated to officially launch on Monday, September 9, 2013,  has been developed to support the International Fleet Review (IFR) and will have information on the myriad of related events occurring in and around Sydney Harbour from October 3-11, including the IFR Warship Open Days. “The International Fleet Review celebrates the centenary of the first RAN Fleet entry into Sydney, so it’s fitting that we’re commemorating our history, while utilizing the technology available today,” said Director of the IFR, Captain Nick Bramwell.

31 Jul 2013

Saluting Guns Ready for Arrival of World’s Navies

The Royal Australian Navy's Three Pound Saluting Gun Battery prepares to fire across Sydney Harbour as a Squirrel Helicopter decorated with International Fleet Review decals hovers off Garden Island Naval Base as a Seahawk helicopter flying a giant International Fleet Review Flag flys past.

The Royal Australian Navy has tested its new Three Pound Saluting Gun Battery at the Garden Island Naval Base, in readiness for October’s International Fleet Review, which commemorates the arrival of Navy’s first fleet in Sydney Harbor in 1913. Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Tim Barrett, said the guns would next be fired for the official 21-gun salute during the welcome of the Fleet by the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Hon Ms Quentin Bryce. “Preparations for the…

18 Oct 2012

Contruction Starts on World's Biggest Offshore Floating Facility

Shell celebrates the first steel cut for the first steel cut for the game-changing Prelude floating liquefied natural gas project’s substructure. The sheet of steel weighs 7.6 tonnes, is 4.3 metres wide, 13.8 metres long and 16.5 millimetres thick. (Photo: Shell)

At 1601 ft. long  x 242.7 ft. wide, the Prelude FLNG facility will be the largest offshore floating facility ever built. A new milestone was reached in the world’s use of LNG as fue, as Shell celebrated the cutting of first steel for the Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility’s substructure with joint venture participants, Inpex and KOGAS, and lead contractor, the Technip Samsung Consortium, at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje shipyard in South Korea. “We are cutting 7.6 tons of steel for the Prelude floating liquefied natural gas facility today…

09 Jul 2012

Cape Breton Launches Container Terminal Bid

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM), located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, today launched a marketing campaign to promote the strategic advantages of developing a container shipping port terminal in Sydney harbor. The announcement comes after CBRM recently agreed to purchase approximately 500 acres of greenfield waterfront land for the purpose of building a container terminal that will create jobs and lasting economic benefit for the community of Cape Breton. The regional municipality, second largest in Nova Scotia, will explore the potential of entering a long-term concession agreement with an interested terminal operator.

19 Sep 2000

New & Notables

Ten years ago, a RoRo passenger service called Sealink, commenced in the Bahamas — operating from Nassau to port of Governor's Harbor on the adjacent island of Eleuthera. The vessel that performed this service was an aging 14-knot Greek ferry, which established a solid market within the RoRo sector. Despite its healthy growth spurt, the venture ceased in 1993 resulting from rising repair costs and maintenance, specifically in the machinery department, as some engine parts had since been discontinued. Then a group of local businessmen purchased an Australian RoPax catamaran to re-enter the Eleuthera trade. This vessel, which incidentally is also named Sealink, is from the Sea Transport Solutions (STS) design studio in Queensland, Australia.

08 Feb 2001

Image Marine Wins Dinner Cruise Contract

Image Marine signed a contract to built a 34 m dinner cruise catamaran for Blue Line Cruises of Sydney, Australia for operation in Sydney Harbor. Blue Line, which is part of the Accor Group, currently operates the vessels Sydney Showboats and Majistic along the Harbor. The new vessel will be ready to join the fleet in August 2001. Touring the Harbor by day and night, the aluminum catamaran will boast an approximate cruising speed of five knots. Passengers will have the benefits of a climate control air conditioning system for all weather conditions, entertainment facilities and a large fully equipped galley.

24 Apr 2007

Incat Crowther Designs Dinner Cruise Boat for Sydney Harbor

Incat Crowther was selected to design a 78.7 ft. Catamaran Dinner Cruise Boat for the Sydney Harbor operator, VC Cruises. The vessel will be a low speed catamaran capable of carrying 400 passengers at a service speed of 10 knots fully loaded. The main deck cabin will contain loose seating for approx 176 passengers in various configurations to suit the desired function. The main cabin will also incorporate a fully stocked bar, food servery, DJ booth and dance floor plus a removable raised stage. A fully equipped galley and cool room has been arranged in the port hull capable of providing food service for the full compliment of 400 passengers.

14 Aug 2001

Pieces of History Are Uncovered in Sydney Harbor

Australian Navy divers have discovered an explosive mystery lying at the entrance to Sydney harbor - four vintage bombs or shells that may be more than 100 years old. The 3 ft. (1 m) long projectiles and bombs, thought to date from the 1870s to 1890s, were blown up to get rid of any danger. How the munitions ended up 200 m offshore was unknown, Lt Commander Mike Gough said on Tuesday. "I'm not able to speculate on that," Gough said. The cliffs of North Head and South Head at the entrance to Sydney harbor were fortified around that time, when the British colony feared Tsarist Russia and American raids. Guns were placed on South Head in 1871 after rumors circulated that an expedition of free-booters had sailed from San Francisco to ransack Sydney, according to military documents.

26 Jun 2001

Solar Powered Ferry Sets Sail

For centuries, sailing has been about how to catch the wind. Now it is becoming a question of how to catch the sun. Australian inventor Robert Dane has designed and built the world's first solar-powered ferry, the Solar Sailor, which is driven by both solar and wind power and took top prize in this year's Australian Design Awards. "Solar energy and boats are at the same stage as where the Wright Brothers were when they were first developing the plane," says Tom Godfrey from the Australian Design Awards. The Solar Sailor offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diesel-powered craft and has been operating commercially on Sydney Harbor for the last six months.

12 Jan 2006

Delta Scientific Barriers to Protect Sydney Harbor

Delta Scientific announced that its anti-terrorist barriers are now protecting the international cruise ship terminal at the Port of Sydney Harbor in Australia. Delta’s DSC501 barriers lie flat in the road until activated, at which point they spring up at a 45-degree angle and effectively stop a speeding vehicle in its tracks. The DSC501 barricade stops and destroys a 15,000 lb (66.7 kN) vehicle traveling 50 mph (80 kph). Set in a foundation only 18 inches (46 cm) deep, the Delta DSC501 is able to survive and operate after a 1.2 million foot pound impact. Upon extracting the vehicle after its crash test, the barricade was fully functional and performed a resounding 27,000 additional cycles.