Simrad Tech for Sydney Fast Ferries

Four new fast ferries, owned and managed by Manly Ferries and operating in the busy waters of Sydney Harbour, will use Simrad technology for safe navigation.

The owner has specified a range of Simrad bridge equipment for its latest vessels, including an NSO Evo2 quad-core marine processor, a 4G broadband radar with beam sharpening and target separation, an Autopilot AP28, and Simrad MO16T widescreen monitors with sunlight viewable screens and multi-touch capability.

The four new vessels, two 24-m fast catamarans and two 33-m fast catamarans, will be operating on several busy routes linking Circular Quay in Sydney Harbour with locations including Darling Harbour, North Sydney, Pyrmont Bay and Harbour Beaches. The catamarans will also be deployed on whale-watching excursions during the annual migration season. The craft have capacity for 260 and 375 passengers respectively, plus crew, with indoor and outdoor seating both on the main passenger decks, and on the upper decks which feature the latest up-to-the-minute bridge installations.

Will Ford, Managing Director of Manly Ferries, commented: “Our fast ferries are running to tight schedules in and around Sydney’s busy harbour. Our skippers are delighted with the existing Simrad installations – the broadband radar in particular has made a huge difference. They tell us that the low-emissions view, target definition and separation is extremely helpful in close-quarters manoeuvring. The ‘instant-on’ feature is another major plus point.”

“From our perspective, we can also rely on the fast and effective service support from the local team,” he added.

The new vessels were designed by local Sydney naval architecture firm One2Three and built by Incat in Tasmania. Ultimate Marine Power supplied, installed and commissioned the navigational equipment.

Jose Hererro, Managing Director of the Professional Marine Division of Navico which owns Simrad-branded marine electronics, revealed Simrad’s steady progress in this regional market.

“We are very pleased to be cooperating with Manly Ferries. Their fast ferry fleet is now the most up-to-date, high-tech and efficient ferry fleet in Australia and we are proud to have our equipment in constant operation on board their vessels,” he said.

“Our Australian team continues to penetrate this buoyant market with a number of important contracts signed recently. The ferry sector is an important component of the light commercial sector, followed by pilot boats and patrol vessels. We have negotiations currently in progress with several potential new customers.”