UPDATE: A replacement ferry has just been dispatched from Sydney to Newcastle to address ongoing disruptions in the Stockton ferry service, which has faced repeated breakdowns for months. This urgent measure, announced by Captain Cook Cruises, aims to ensure continuity in the essential transport link between Stockton and Newcastle.
The replacement vessel arrived at Carrington on January 2, 2024, and is set to remain there as a backup for the troubled MV Shortland. This comes as the second ferry, MV Hunter, is currently undergoing critical repairs in Sydney, leaving the community increasingly frustrated with prolonged service outages.
Residents have welcomed the sight of the relief vessel, expressing relief amid ongoing transportation challenges that have forced many to rely on time-consuming bus replacements. The journey from Stockton to Newcastle by road now takes up to an hour, compared to a swift six-minute ferry crossing.
Local MP Tim Crakanthorp announced the plan for the backup ferry on Christmas Eve, labeling it a “short-term fix” while promising to advocate for a sustainable long-term solution. He emphasized the importance of the ferry service for community connectivity, stating, “This alternate ferry will keep the service operating and get our community where they need to be in a timely manner.”
The Stockton Community Group has gathered around 2,000 signatures on a petition demanding clarity from Transport for NSW about the future of the ferry service. Crakanthorp noted, “The support for Stockton Community Group’s petition has made it clear how important this service is to Novocastrians.” The petition will soon be submitted to the state parliament, with the aim of reaching 20,000 signatures to force a debate.
The replacement ferry, a twin-deck catamaran with a capacity for approximately 190 passengers, will be operated by local crews trained in recent weeks. Nick Lester, general manager of SeaLink in Sydney, confirmed the ferry’s dry hire arrangement, stating it will remain in Newcastle until the MV Hunter is ready to return. He added, “My expectation is that it will be here for a minimum of a month, and then, depending on needs, we can accommodate it longer.”
The ongoing issues with the ferry service have prompted heightened scrutiny from the state government, especially as the MV Hunter has been out of service for nearly a year due to maintenance delays attributed to lengthy wait times for repairs at the busy Carrington slipway. Premier Chris Minns previously described the situation as “intolerable,” urging immediate action to resolve the ferry service’s reliability issues.
With the community’s frustration mounting, state authorities are under pressure to provide a long-term solution to ensure that Stockton residents have reliable access to Newcastle. The situation remains critical, and further updates are expected as developments unfold. Transport for NSW has been contacted for comment but has yet to respond.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
