SeaLink Travel Group has added a second state of the art $2.6 million catamaran to its Captain Cook Cruises fleet, with the launch today in Sydney of Mary Reibey.
The new generation, 24metre Rocket catamaran, will join her sister vessel Elizabeth Cook, which was launched in November 2013,on Sydney harbour. Like Elizabeth Cook she is eco-friendly, fuel efficient and equipped with the latest technologies to reduce her carbon footprint.
The Mary Reibey, named after the astute and successful New South Wales business woman who is featured on the Australian twenty-dollar note, has been designed to balance efficiency with ruggedness, allowing her to operate in all corners of Sydney Harbour and beyond.
The Mary Reibey is contracted to Harbour City Ferries (Sydney Ferries) from June 2, 2014 and will be providing ferry charter services.
Managing Director, SeaLink Travel Group, Jeff Ellison said the second new vessel for Sydney Harbour was part of the company’s plan be a major charter operator on Sydney Harbour.
“We are building boats such as Mary Reibey that are multi-purpose, eco-friendly, cost efficient and have the ability to operate both up river to Parramatta and outside Sydney Harbour heads.”
“On top of this Mary Reibey offers a fast service and a high level of comfort for passengers including large viewing windows, contemporary seating and a 360-degree viewing sundeck,” said Mr Ellison.
The two level catamaran has a main passenger cabin with seats for 116 passengers and a further 31 seats located on the lower outside deck. Upstairs an open upper deck has seating for 51 passengers, providing ample space for passengers to stand and view the sights.
SeaLink has commissioned two more state-of-the-art catamarans due to arrive in Sydney Harbour in June and December2014.
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Chief Executive, Catherine Gallagher officially launched Mary Reibey in the traditional maritime way, breaking a champagne bottle across the bow.
Mary Reibey was designed in Sydney by Incat Crowther and built in Tasmania by Richardson Devine Marine.
To view and download images from the launch visit https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8flpek0i22vfg8b/AADSo5t-13WNf3IzaaLM5VRDa