Incat hull 082 was launched on 8 November 2016 and successfully completed sea trials on the Derwent River. She was named in a public voting competition honouring Australian Catherine Hamlin, the world renowned gynaecologist.
The new ferry left for Sydney on 18 November 2018 to start Sydney trials and crew training before entering service with Sydney Harbour City Ferries.
The new vessel has a traditional looking exterior, similar to the Sydney First Fleet vessels. However, the 35m 400-passenger craft has greater capacity than the vessels in the current fleet. The interior is more spacious with comfortable seating inside, outdoor viewing areas, a large walk around deck and additional features for passengers.
Catherine Hamlin is the first of six new ferries being built by Incat in Tasmania for service in Sydney harbour to be operated by Harbour City Ferries. In July 2012 Harbour City Ferries began a seven-year contract as the operator of Sydney Ferries, on the behalf of the NSW Government (Transport for NSW and the NSW Transport Minister).
