View source for First Fleet-class ferry

{{Short description|Class of Sydney ferry}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| infobox caption = First Fleet class
| sclass = 2}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Scarborough, Pyrmont Bay, 2017 (01).jpg
| Ship caption = ''Scarborough'' in Pyrmont Bay in November 2017}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Builders = [[Forgacs Shipyard|Carrington Slipways]]
| Operators = 
*[[Urban Transit Authority]]
*[[State Transit Authority]]
*[[Sydney Ferries]]
*[[Transdev Sydney Ferries]]
| Subclasses = 
| Built range = 1984–1986
| In service range = 
| Total ships completed = 9
| Total ships active = 9
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 
| Total ships retired = 
| Total ships scrapped = 
| Total ships preserved = }}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship type = Catamaran
| Ship tonnage = 
| Ship displacement = 83 tonnes
| Ship length = {{convert|25.4|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = 
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = 
| Ship draft = 
| Ship depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship ice class = 
| Ship propulsion = [[MTU Friedrichshafen|MTU]] Series 60
| Ship speed = {{convert|11|kn}}
| Ship capacity = 393
| Ship crew = 
| Ship notes = }}
|}

The '''First Fleet class''' is a class of ferry operated by [[Transdev Sydney Ferries]] on [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]].

==History==
In the early 1980s, the [[Urban Transit Authority]] ordered nine catamaran ferries from [[Forgacs Shipyard|Carrington Slipways]], [[Tomago]]. They were to replace the [[Sydney K-class ferry|K-class]] and wooden Lady class ferries on [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]]. The new vessels were named after ships of the [[First Fleet]] and were delivered between 1984 and 1986.  It was originally intended that they would operate services on the [[Parramatta River]], but they generated too much wash.

In 2006/07, the class were repowered with [[MTU Friedrichshafen|MTU]] Series 60 engines.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222539/http://www.marinebusiness.com.au/archive/news-in-brief-june-2007 News in Brief] ''Marine Business'' June 2007</ref> As at November 2023, all nine remain in service with [[Transdev Sydney Ferries]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20231104072216/https://www.transdev.com.au/solutions/one-fleet-9-vessel-class/ First fleet class] [[Transdev Sydney Ferries]]</ref> 

Between 2020 and 2022, eight of the ferries underwent life extension rebuilds to extend their lives for a further 10 years. The work was undertaken by Birdon at [[Port Macquarie]] and included new engines, refurbished interiors, the provision of air conditioning and additional safety features. The first vessel completed was the ''Golden Grove'' in June 2020.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201204210159/https://www.birdon.com.au/golden-grove-ferry-refurbishment/ Golden Grove Ferry Refurbishment] Birdon 12 June 2020</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20231014092504/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-19/sydney-ferries-refurbishment-new-lease-of-life-in-port-macquarie/12369364?fbclid=IwAR2qbBZY522KBZwB4RnAxFGD_633CgtXcM3IlK4-T4nXt-Gtar1T6oS1icg Sydney ferries get a facelift at Port Macquarie to extend life just shy of 50 years] ''[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]'' 19 June 2020</ref>
[[File:Interior of lower floor of Non Refurbished First Fleet Ferry.jpg|thumb|Interior of lower floor of Non Refurbished First Fleet Ferry]]
{{-}}
==Vessels== 
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Photo of Vessel
!Name!!Call sign!![[Maritime Mobile Service Identity|MMSI]]!!Shipyard no!!Launched!!Status!!Namesake!!Reference!!Additional Information
|-
|[[File:MV Supply at Circular. First of 9 First Fleet Ferries Built.jpg|200px|MV Supply at Circular Quay. First of 9 First Fleet Ferries Built]]
|''Supply''||16496||503344800||163||10 December 1984||Active||{{HMS|Supply|1759|6}}||||First vessel in service.
|-
|[[File:Cremorne Point Ferry Wharf.jpg|200x200px|MV Sirius at Barangaroo Wharf]]
|''Sirius''||15622||503345700||164||20 August 1984||Active||{{HMS|Sirius|1786|6}}||||First vessel launched. Had different handrails up until 2023 drydocking. One of 3 vessels surveyed to go to Manly.
|-
|[[File:MV Alexander at Circular Quay (cropped).jpg|200x200px|MV Alexander at Circular Quay]]
|''Alexander''||15517||503344900||165||19 January 1985||Active||{{ship||Alexander|1783 ship|2}}||<ref>[http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/alexander.html Alexander] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414060312/http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/alexander.html |date=14 April 2015 }} Ferries of Sydney</ref>{{sps|date=November 2023}}||Only vessel to not receive a refit. Last vessel with wooden sponsons.
|-
|[[File:MV Borrowdale at Circular Quay Wharf (cropped).jpg|200x200px|MV Borrowdale at Circular Quay]]
|''Borrowdale''||16852||503345100||||4 February 1985||Active||{{ship||Borrowdale|1785 ship|2}}||<ref>[http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/borrowdale.html Borrowdale] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414051357/http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/borrowdale.html |date=14 April 2015 }} Ferries of Sydney</ref>{{sps|date=November 2023}}||Has a flattened bow unique to this vessel.
|-
|[[File:MV Charlotte at Neutral Bay Wharf (cropped).jpg|200x200px|MV Charlotte at Neutral Bay Wharf]]
|''Charlotte''||17258||503345200||167||23 February 1985||Active||{{ship||Charlotte|1784 ship|2}}||<ref>[http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/Charlotte%20II.html Charlotte] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414055825/http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/Charlotte%20II.html |date=14 April 2015 }} Ferries of Sydney</ref>{{sps|date=November 2023}}
|-
|[[File:MV Fishburn at Circular Quay..jpg|200x200px|MV Fishburn at Circular Quay]]
|''Fishburn''||15519||503345300||176||31 August 1985||Active||{{ship||Fishburn|1780 ship|2}}||<ref>[http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/fishburn.html Fishburn] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414052854/http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/fishburn.html |date=14 April 2015 }} Ferries of Sydney</ref>{{sps|date=November 2023}}||One of 3 vessels surveyed to go to Manly.
|-
|[[File:20230910 Friendship at Circular Quay.jpg|200x200px|MV Friendship leaving Circular Quay]]
|''Friendship''||17458||503345400||||9 May 1986||Active||{{ship||Friendship|1784 ship|2}}||<ref>[http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/friendship.html Friendship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414072841/http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/friendship.html |date=14 April 2015 }} Ferries of Sydney</ref>{{sps|date=November 2023}}||Last vessel in service.
|-
|[[File:MV Golden Grove on its way to Circular Quay (cropped).jpg|200x200px|MV Golden Grove on its way to Circular Quay]]
|''Golden Grove''||16497||503345500||177||16th November 1985||Active||{{ship||Golden Grove|1782 ship|2}}||<ref>[http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/Golden%20Grove.html Golden Grove] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414070011/http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/Golden%20Grove.html |date=14 April 2015 }} Ferries of Sydney</ref>{{sps|date=November 2023}}||The pattern of windows that open is different on this vessel. First to receive refit. One of 3 vessels surveyed to go to Manly.
|-
|[[File:MV Scarborough First Fleet Vessel.jpg|199x199px|MV Scarborough at Circular Quay]]
|''Scarborough''||16814||503345600||178||1 February 1986||Active||''[[Scarborough (1782 ship)|Scarborough]]''||||
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|First Fleet ferry class}}

{{Sydneyferries|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Catamarans]]
[[Category:Ferry classes]]
[[Category:Ferry transport in Sydney]]
[[Category:Ships built in New South Wales]]