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Ship spotter
A look at Tasmanian-built ferries
BYREXCOX
Hobart shipbuilder
Richardson Devine has a contract with the NSW Government for seven ferries to operate the Parramatta River service in Sydney
The first, named Frances Bodkin after a prominent botanist, educator and D’harawal Elder, ran initial trials on the Derwent on 27 February and I was fortunate to be on the spot with camera when it entered the Cove briefly that day to pick up personnel.
Walter Pless obtained more photos before Frances Bodkin left Hobart on 21 March for Sydney, via Flinders Island and Eden.
These ferries have a passenger capacity of 200. They will consume 40% less fuel than older vessels and are designed for possible future conversion to electric propulsion.
John Nutt, the second in the series, came out of the shed at the end of April.
