What the Papers Said

​Thurs 25 March 2021. The rally and Parliamentary debate generated a lot of media attention - as it should. 
The Telegraph was first off the mark.  

The Tele is behind an unhelpful paywall, but it's important, so this is what it says...

'PROBLEMS with the vessels set to replace the Manly Ferry for commuter services could delay the new boats being put into service, the Maritime Union warns.
More than 80 defects or safety observations were made by inspectors when the new Emerald Class ferries were delivered to Australia.
The problems identified by the union include faulty windows and poor plumbing in the engine rooms.
According to the Maritime Union of Australia’s safety inspections, all of the windows in the second generation Emerald Class ferries need replacing.
There are also concerns steel plating on the hulls are too thin to hold a rigid form.
The MUA believes the remediation work required to fix the problems is too complex to get the ferries into service by the middle of this year as planned.

Transport for NSW spokesman said a number of “improvements” that have been identified are being assessed.
“This is a rigorous and robust process to ensure each vessel meets the strictest of safety standards before entering into customer service by around the middle of the year,” the spokesman said.
Transport for NSW said seaworthiness trials of the new Emerald Class ferries were planned for later this month. ​

“Trials and testing of this nature are a normal part of any commissioning process for a new fleet. A similar process was undertaken prior to introducing the first generation of Emeralds into service,” a spokesman said. 

Labor believes the foreign-built hulls contain problems that would not have occurred if the boats were built in Australia.

There are also concerns the new vessels would not be able to handle bad weather conditions, such as those seen in the harbour this week.
“When the Freshwater ferries are due for replacement, it should be with a locally built and designed vessel that can manage heavy seas safely and reliably,” Deputy Labor Leader Yasmin Catley said.
“The cheap junk that Andrew Constance has built offshore are just no match for the Freshwaters,” Ms Catley said.
Meanwhile, state Parliament will today debate a petition signed by 22,000 people calling for the government to abandon its plans to replace the Freshwater class ferries.'

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This was followed up by the Manly Daily, which dealt with Manly MP James Griffin's suggestion that Northern Beaches Council should take the two remaining Freshwater ferries on. 

Behind another paywall - I hate them.  Here's the start...

'THE Save the Manly Ferries’ chief campaigner has hit back at suggestions that northern beaches ratepayers should take responsibility for the two iconic vessels destined for the scrap heap.
Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham reacted with disbelief at the idea that Northern Beaches Council should consider taking responsibility for the ferries, saying transport was a state issue and the council knows nothing about running boats.
“We are not in the maritime business,” she said.   

“We don’t know how to run ferries.

“The whole thing is stupid.
“It’s plain ludicrous.”
She said the council was never going to be able to afford to turn the ferries into a tourism attraction.
“We have enough trouble funding our tourism office,” she said.
The idea was mooted during a debate in Parliament on Thursday over the future of the iconic vessels due to be retired.' 

Here's the link, if you can get to it.

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Hooray.  Some articles we can get to.  NB Advocate is here

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Northern Beaches Review,  April 7-13