Sydney JetCats
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
| {{Infobox ship begin |infobox caption=Sydney JetCats}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image= File:JetCat Sea Eagle side view.jpg |Ship caption= View of the ferry Sea Eagle in Sydney Ferries Corporation livery}} {{Infobox ship class overview |Builders= NQEA |Operators=*State Transit Authority |Class before= |Class after= |Subclasses= |Built range= |In service range= |Total ships building= |Total ships planned= |Total ships completed= 3 |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active= |Total ships laid up= 1(?) |Total ships lost= 2 |Total ships retired= |Total ships scrapped= |Total ships preserved=}} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship type= Catamaran |Ship tonnage= |Ship displacement= |Ship length= 34.8 metres |Ship beam= 10 metres |Ship height= |Ship draught= |Ship draft= |Ship depth= |Ship decks= |Ship deck clearance= |Ship ramps= |Ship ice class= |Ship sail plan= |Ship power= |Ship propulsion= 2 x MWM TBD260 V16s |Ship speed= 30 knots |Ship capacity= 268 passengers |Ship crew= |Ship notes=}} |
The Sydney JetCats were a class of catamarans operated by the State Transit Authority and Sydney Ferries on the Manly service.
History
Three JetCats were delivered in 1990/91 to replace the remaining four Sydney hydrofoils on the Manly service. The 268-seat vessels were built by NQEA, Cairns to an Incat Crowther design.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080728175216/http://afloat.com.au/afloat-magazine/archive/2007_July2007_DoyouRememberTheHydrofoilsPart2.htm Do you remember the Hydrofoils Part 2] Afloat Magazine July 2007[https://web.archive.org/web/20080829092605/http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/Special_Projects/ll_splprojects.nsf/vwFiles/Manly_Fact_Sheet.pdf/$file/Manly_Fact_Sheet.pdf Manly Fact Sheet] Special Commission of Inquiry into Sydney Ferries
In December 2008, the State Government announced the JetCat service would cease and called for tenders to operate the service on a commercial basis.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090514074018/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/releases/081209-Manly-Fast-Service-EOI.pdf Calls for Expressions of Interest for Manly Fast Ferry] Minister for Transport 9 December 2008 The last JetCat service operated on 31 December 2008.[http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/high-and-dry-as-jetcat-sails-into-history/2008/12/30/1230399211491.html High and dry as JetCat sails into history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924201848/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/high-and-dry-as-jetcat-sails-into-history/2008/12/30/1230399211491.html |date=24 September 2015 }} Sydney Morning Herald 31 December 2008 JetCat patronage had dropped from 1,453,000 passengers per annum in 1995/96 to 393,506 between July and December 2008, while ferry patronage on the route rose from 3.7 million to 6.0 million (full 08/09 year) in the same period.[http://www.manlymania.net/Jetcats.htm#S10 Jetcat Patronage 1995 - 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518155936/http://www.manlymania.net/Jetcats.htm#S10 |date=18 May 2019 }} MANLYmania Jetcat Page 2008 However this referenced source clearly reveals the change in Jetcat patronage can be explained by the reduction in the number of timetabled Jetcat services being operated from typically 256 return trips per week in 1995/96, down to 116 per week in 2008 (both including ferry replacement trips). The JetCats were sold to a broker, who resold them for three times the price.[http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2009/s2767505.htm Retired JetCats cause more embarrassment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511231518/http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2009/s2767505.htm |date=11 May 2017 }} The World Today (Radio National) 10 December 2009
Manly Fast Ferry commenced operating the service on 10 February 2009.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090516072056/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/inquiries/walker-jetcat-withdrawal.html Jet Cat Withdrawal and Manly Fast Ferry Commencement] NSW Ministry of Transport
==Vessels==