Large vessels pulled from service for wharf repairs at Circular Quay

Major Manly ferries will be withdrawn from service for six weeks to allow critical repairs to a dock they use at Circular Quay, putting pressure on the smaller ships remaining to use the route as warm weather attracts larger crowds at weekends.

The second pier at Circular Quay will be closed from 20 October to 30 November for necessary maintenance on the berthing surface and plates to extend its operating life and improve safety for both passengers and ships.

The second pier was built specifically for large Freshwater class ferries due to their size and boarding requirements. As a result of the closure, the NSW government said large Freshwater class ferries will not operate on the Circular Quay-Manly route while work continues.

Smaller Emerald class ferries and Manly Fast Ferries ships will continue to operate every 10 minutes from early morning to late evening, seven days a week.

Three of the four major Manly ferries in the state fleet have been retained after the Government pledged $71 million to refurbish the double-ended vessels.

Narrabeen, which underwent repairs in dry dock on Sydney’s Garden Island this year, will return to service on the Manly route in late November after maintenance work on the second berth is completed. Its sister ship Freshwater will then prepare for a major overhaul.

The Collaroy, the smallest of four Freshwater class ferries synonymous with Sydney’s busiest route, was retired two years ago after the government described it as “prohibitively expensive” because it was “one of a kind”.

Its fate remains uncertain due to difficulties finding a new owner or community group to care for it.

Transport Secretary John Graham thanked passengers for their patience during the six-week closure of the second pier and asked families to consider leaving earlier or later on weekends when larger ferries are not operating.