Freshwater

The ' Narrabeen', which had been condemned for scrapping in New South Wales, has returned to service after being saved and undergoing a major life-enhancing refurbishment, and will be followed by the ' Freshwater'. The ferry, described as one of the icons of Sydney Harbour, re-entered service on the F1 Circular Quay – Manly route, as the outcome of a campaign to save the vessel from scrapping. The Freshwater-class ferry had been removed from service and earmarked for scrapping in 2021 together with her sister ship, the 'Queenscliff', owing to age and significant resources that were required to keep them operational. Two other ships, the 'Freshwater' and the 'Collaroy' were to remain in service, while the government went ahead to invest in the Emerald-class ferries to replace the aging vessels. The current NSW government resolved that sending the vessels to dismantling yards and replacing them with the Emerald Class ships, whose botched introduction included steering failures, cracked fuel tanks, and inability to cross the Heads in large swells, was an irrational decision. For that reason, a decision was made to keep thr 'Narrabeen', 'Queenscliff' and the 'Freshwater' in service with resources being committed for their life-enhancing upgrades. Part of the decision to keep the ferries in service was influenced by grassroots community campaigners who fought hard to save the vessels. Due to her mechanical differences from her sisters, it was decided that the 'Collaroy' would be retired. The 'Narrabeen' has re-entered service after it spent US$46 million in an elaborate restoration and refurbishment that gave her a new lease of life to operate for another five years before its next major docking. The works were carried out by a team of shipbuilders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, and painters and included a full engine rebuild, installation of modern control systems, hull repairs, refreshed passenger areas, and CCTV upgrades. The return of the 'Narrabeen' to service enabled the 'Freshwater' to enter dry dock for her own repairs and upgrade to enable her to remain in service until at least 2030.