The double-ended Freshwaters,launched in 1982,are set to be replaced by Transdev.Credit:James Alcock
It comes two months after French companyTransdev signed a new $1.3 billion contract to run Sydney's ferries for the next nine years.
The private operator will put three new Emerald-class ferries on the Manly route as early as next year,leaving retirement on the horizon for the Freshwater ferries during the term of the new contract.
Graeme Taylor,from Action for Public Transport,said ferry staff had been told at a meeting last week that the Freshwater-class ferries would be retired,although a date was not given for their last sailings. Ferry masters on the Freshwaters had started training on the new Emerald-class vessels.
Mr Taylor said the retirement of the iconic ferries on Sydney Harbour would be a huge loss.
"They are a symbol of our city – they define us. They are priceless,"he said.
Named after beaches in Sydney's north,the first of the double-ended ferries,the Freshwater,was launched in 1982,followed by the Queenscliff less than a year later,the Narrabeen in 1984 and the Collaroy in 1988. They can each carry about 1000 passengers,compared with the Emerald-class catamaran vessels which have capacity for about 400 people.
Tourists are soaked on a Manly ferry during a heavy swell.Credit:Nick Moir