Sydney RiverCats

Dawn Fraser in Darling Harbour in December 2014
Class overview
Builders	NQEA Wavemaster International
Operators	State Transit Authority Sydney Ferries Transdev Sydney Ferries
Completed	7
Active	4
Retired	1
Scrapped	2
General characteristics
Type	Catamaran
Length	37.0 metres
Beam	10.5 metres
Draught	1.4 metres
Decks	1
Installed power	2 x GM 8V92TA
Propulsion	2 Shotell rudder/propeller drive
Speed	22 knots
Capacity	230
Crew	3

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, named Nicole Livingstone.^[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On 16 February 2023 Betty Cuthbert, was the first retired from service.^[9] On 7 June 2024 Evonne Goolagong was withdrawn.^{[10][better source needed]}

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][better source needed]}

On 28 October 2024, Nicole Livingstone was withdrawn from service and was used for parts at Balmain Shipyard before being moved to Rozelle Bay, followed by a final movement to Yamba under tow where she is currently being broken up. 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	Betty Cuthbert	18555	503376100	NQEA		1992	Betty Cuthbert	Scrapped	Withdrawn 16 February 2023, towed to Yamba June 2024 for scrapping[9][11]
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	Evonne Goolagong	18705	503376300	NQEA		1993	Evonne Goolagong	Scrapped	Withdrawn 7 June 2024, towed to Yamba June 2024 for scrapping[10][11]
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	Wavemaster International		1995	Nicole Livingstone	Undergoing scrapping[13]	Withdrawn 28 October 2024, towed to Yamba December 2024 for scrapping. Built as Nicole Stevenson, renamed after namesake returned to her maiden name.

Media related to Sydney RiverCats at Wikimedia Commons