Betty Cuthbert
A special project of the Ferries of Sydney
| Type : |
Steel catamaran |
| Launched : |
1992 |
| Builder : |
unknown unknown |
| Gross weight : |
41 tons |
| Dimensions : |
36.80 (metres) |
| Passenger capacity : |
230 |
| Speed : |
22 knots |
Betty Cuthbert is one of the seven RiverCat vessels. These were all built in response to growing demand on the Parramatta River route.
They were also built to a design that was to have allowed them to travel with a low wash, thus reducing damage to the fragile river ecology. These vessels re-opened the route to Parrmatta.However, this appears to have been a failure withn the vessels all pushing destructive underwater pressure waves. Sydney Ferries Corporatiion can no longer get insurance to cover the damage done by these vesswels andevidence exists of boats destroyed or damaged by the RiverCats.
RiverCats are propelled by twin Schottel rudder propeller units, powered by two GM (General Motors) supercharged and turbocharged V8 diesel engines. The engines are fitted with a solenoid which shuts the engines down when required, by cutting the supply of fuel. A second solenoid is used as a separate emergency shut down.
The power from the engines is transmitted to the Schottel propulsion units via hydraulic gearboxes with a 2:1 reduction and an electronically operated clutch. The engines idle at around 600rpm and are governed to a maximum speed of 2000rpm. Given the gearbox reduction, this means that the propeller shaft revolves within the range of 200-1000rpm..
Power is transmitted from the engine to the propulsion units through shafts on a horizontal plane above deck then transferred through gears to a vertical shaft and back to a horizontal shaft below the water line to the propellers. The propulsion units are able to pivot around the horizontal axis below the water line, creating directional thrust. The propellers are constant pitch, variable speed and uni-directional. Turning a propulsion unit 180° provides thrust in the opposite direction, with movement in between these positions controlling steering. The two propulsion units provide a Master with a high degree of manoeuvrability as both thrust and direction can be independently controlled on each unit.
She is named after Elizabeth "Betty" Cuthbert (20/04/1939) who represented Australia between 1956 and 1964 in the sport of sprinting.
Betty Cuthbert has had four reportable incidents within the last few years.
On the 19th of February 2004 she collided with the Cockatoo Island Wharf whilst travelling at a speed of between 15 to 18 knots. This accident was caused by a failure in the control mechanism of the propulsion systems.
Considerable damage was done both to the wharf and the vessel. Two passengers & the captain sustained injuries.
On the 23rd of September 2005 she collided with one of the piles at Circular Quay Wharf No. 5 after a failure in her steering control. Fortunately she was travelling at low speed and damage was minimal. There were no passengers on board at the time.
On the 11th of January 2006 she had another accident when steering failure again caused her to go out of control in Fern Bay. This time she rammed a yacht and managed to jam a small aluminium launch under her bows. She was towed back to the Balmain depot with the lauch still firmly wedged in place. Damage to Betty Cuthbert was light.
On the 2nd of August 2010 steering failure on the Marjorie Jackson caused that vessel to hit the Betty Cuthbert tied up at the base in Balmain. In turn, Betty Cuthbert was pushed into the Evonne Goolagong tied up ahead of her. Damage was limited to the Betty Cuthbert's starboard pontoon and several wharf piles.