Blue Dolphin







Blue Dolphin
Type :
 Hovercraft
Launched  :
1973
Builder :
 Hovermarine Transport Ltd
Southampton, England
Displacement :
 20,185 kg (mass)
Dimensions :
 51.0m x 20.0m
Passenger capacity :
 62
Speed :
 35 knots

Blue Dolphin was the first hovercraft to be operated commercially on Sydney Harbour. She commenced her career in 1975. Blue Dolphin was used for a short time on the Ryde-Meadowbank  run in an attempt to replace the failed hydrofoil service. Like them, she also was not a success. She was then operated as a fast cruise service (this time in opposition to the hydrofoils). Ultimately she was a commercial failure and was eventually sold to Hobart where she was renamed to Michael Howe. In Hobart her passenger capacity was reduced to 54. Around 1979 she was sold to  New Zealand (North Shore Ferries in Auckland) and was renamed to Wakatere. This name had previously been used some 80 years prior for a paddlewheel steamer run by the Northern Steam Ship Company.

She was in use there until at least 1981 when that company was taken over  by Fullers Group Limited. In 1981 all of their wooden vessels with the exception of a small motor launch were out of service for repair, it may be assumed that the hovercraft was also out at the same time.
Navigation