NSW: Govt admits SuperCats were a mistake

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2001
NSW: Govt admits SuperCats were a mistake

The New South Wales government has admitted it made a mistake in purchasing the $4.5
million high-speed SuperCat ferries which have since been dubbed SuperDuds.

The admission follows the release of a damning report into Sydney's troubled ferry
service commissioned by the government after a series of mishaps involving SuperCats.

The report identified deficiencies in management across the key areas of safety, training
and vessel maintenance in the service.

It also revealed the government's highly-touted SuperCat fleet was unsuitable for the
big seas encountered on the Circular Quay to Manly run without serious modifications.

NSW Transport Minister CARL SCULLY says the government made a mistake in trying to
acquire a ferry suitable for all conditions.

The watercraft are now likely to be relegated to inner-harbour routes.

AAP RTV ls/jh/jn

KEYWORD: FERRIES (SYDNEY)

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