Founded | 2009 |
---|---|
Founder | Richard Ford Will Ford |
Headquarters |
Sans Souci, , Australia |
Area served |
Botany Bay Port Jackson |
Services | Ferry operator |
Parent | NRMA |
Website | My Fast Ferry |
Manly Fast Ferry is an Australian ferry operator that services the areas of Botany Bay and Port Jackson.
Since January 1965, the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company and its successors had operated high speed hydrofoil and later JetCat services between Circular Quay and Manly. [1]
In December 2008, the New South Wales State Government, decided the Sydney Ferries JetCat service would cease and called for tenders to operate the service on a commercial basis. [2]
Bass & Flinders Cruises trading as Manly Fast Ferry commenced operating the service on 10 February 2009 on an interim basis until March 2010. [3]
On 1 April 2010, Sydney Fast Ferries commenced a five-year franchise to operate the service. [4] [5] However Manly Fast Ferry continued to operate services between Circular Quay Wharf 6 and Manly East Pier via Taronga Zoo and Watsons Bay. [6][ citation needed]
In July 2014, expressions of interest were sought for the next franchise with Bass & Flinders Cruises, SeaLink Travel Group, Sydney Fast Ferries and Transit Systems responding. [7] [8] [9] In December 2014, the franchise was awarded to Bass & Flinders Cruises. [10] [11]
Operations commenced on 1 April 2015 with three existing vessels from Bass & Flinders fleet along with two leased vessels. Four new Incat built vessels were delivered by the end of 2015, two were 24 metres long and two were 33 metres. [12] [13] [14] In 2017, the company ordered a third 33-metre fast ferry from Incat's Hobart shipyard. [15]
Bass & Flinders also operate an Eco Hopper tourist hop on/hop off service around Sydney Harbour from Darling Harbour to Manly calling at nine locations. [16] but by 2018 this name was no longer used.
In September 2017, Bass & Flinders was renamed Manly Fast Ferry and commenced trading as My Fast Ferry. [17] [18]
In December 2017, the business was purchased by the NRMA. [19] In October 2018, Fantasea Cruising was also taken over by the NRMA with 10 ferries and 10 water taxis on Sydney Harbour and Pittwater. [20] [21] It continues to trade under its existing brand.