SeaLink Travel Group has added a third state of the art $2.6 million catamaran to its Captain Cook Cruises fleet, with the launch today in Sydney of Annabelle Rankin.
The new generation, 24metre Rocket catamaran, will join her sister vessels Elizabeth Cook and Mary Reibey on Sydney harbour. Like the previous vessels, Annabelle Rankin is fuel efficient, eco-friendly, and equipped with the latest technologies to reduce her carbon footprint.
The vessel is named after one of Australia’s pioneer stateswomen, Dame Annabelle Rankin (1908-1986).Dame Annabelle claimed a number of firsts in Australian government including the first female federal minister, holding the housing portfolio (1966-71) where she introduced a housing system for Aborigines and newly arrived migrants. She was also the first female federal opposition whip in the British Commonwealth (1951-66): the first female head of a diplomatic mission, as high commissioner to New Zealand (1971-4); and the first Queensland female to enter federal politics as a senator for the state (1946-71). In 1957 she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for political and public services.
The vessel Annabelle Rankin is contracted to Harbour City Ferries (Sydney Ferries) until June, 2017 and will be providing ferry charter services.
Managing Director, SeaLink Travel Group, Jeff Ellison said the third new vessel for Sydney Harbour was part of the company’s plan to be a major charter operator on Sydney Harbour.
“We are building boats that are prototypes for the future. The vessels are multi-purpose and designed to balance efficiency with ruggedness, allowing them to operate in all corners of Sydney Harbour and beyond.”
“These new class of rockets offer 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 Annabelle Rankin 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 a fourth state-of-the-art catamaran due to arrive in Sydney Harbour in December2014.
Destination New South Wales, Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase officially launched Annabelle Rankin in the traditional maritime way, breaking a champagne bottle across the bow.
Annabelle Rankin was designed in Sydney by Incat Crowther and built in Tasmania by Richardson Devine Marine.
Source: Captain Cook Cruises