One of the Liberal government’s overseas built Emerald Class 2 Manly Ferries has suffered a catastrophic engine failure which will leave it out of action for weeks at least.
The Clontarf – which is one of 3 overseas built manly ferries that replaced the NSW built Freshwater Class ferries – was undertaking sea trials on Monday when oil and shards of metal were sprayed around the engine room.
The ferry had to travel back to the Balmain Shipyard using only one engine where it will remain indefinately until its engine is replaced.
This is the third time an Emerald Class ferry has been docked for maintenance at the Balmain shipyard in the last week.
Catastrophic engine failure is only the latest defect to be discovered on the NSW Liberal Government’s overseas built Manly Ferries since they began passenger service in 2021. Other defects include;
- Steering failures
- Cracked fuel tanks
- Hot oil sprayed around the engine room after the lubricating oil system cracked
- Emergency doors locked because they’re a safety hazard to passengers including losing fingers
- Leaks discovered in the hulls
- Damage to rudders in heavy swells
- Windows shattered in heavy swells
- An Internal warning sent to masters that vessels could become airborne in heavy swells
- Vessels are often taken off the water when the swells are high even though they’re certified to operate in 4.5 metre swells
- Can’t dock at their usual wharf in Manly during low tide.
Quotes attributable to Chris Minns NSW Labor Leader:
“This is going from bad to worse.
“Under Dominic Perrottet and the Liberals, we’ve lost the jobs, the skills and our ferries don’t work.
“Not to mention valuable taxpayer dollars need to be spent to fix their mess.
“Labor will back Aussie made and rebuild our domestic manufacturing industry.
“I want ferries on Sydney Harbour built here.”
Quotes attributable to Jo Haylen NSW Shadow Minister for Transport:
“Surely this has got to be the last straw. What will it take for the Liberals to admit that their overseas built Manly Ferries are a complete and utter failure.
“Its bad enough that the engine on the Clontarf basically exploded, but its clear that these overseas built ferries have serious systemic flaws that can’t be solved by just doing normal repair works.
“Transport is already conducting an investigation into the root causes that have plagued these ferries. It must now be broadened to look at the other defects too.
“If the Liberals get another 4 years in government we will see more of the same transport failures. If you want to back locally made, then vote Labor at the next election.”
CHRIS MINNS MP
NSW LABOR LEADER
JO HAYLEN MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT
