New run for old ferry

The Ministry of Transport has approved a new ferry run for Central Coast Ferries, which will transport passengers from Palm Beach to Woy Woy, Saratoga, Davistown and Empire Bay.

The service is due to start on November 13 and will use "the truly special, vintage ferry Codock II, an ex-Cockatoo Island ferry", said Central Coast Ferries operator Mr George Conway.

"We are very excited and would love to see any interested persons come down and see the Codock at the Putt Putt Regatta.

"The boys at Conway Marine are flat out putting the shine on a restoration that is ongoing and will showcase the Cockatoo Ferry as a truly special ferry."

Mr Conway said the boat was built in about 1945.

Its keel, stem and ribs are Australian hardwoods, while the planking is oregon and is under renovation.

It can carry 49 passengers with two crew, and has a displacement of 16 tonnes.

It is 40 feet in length, has a 12-foot beam and five-foot draft.

It runs a Gardner marine diesel engine, developing 70 horsepower.

The hull of the Codock II was built during or immediately after World War II, as a standard workboat destined for the defence forces.

It was acquired by Cockatoo Dockyard in 1947 and converted to its current layout as a passenger vessel to ferry employees to and from the island and ships around the harbour.

Codock II was given special attention, with an interior finish in teak.

It served as the VIP launch assigned to other duties such as transporting special guests of the company and carrying management when attending special functions.

Much of the construction, modification and repair work on the vessel was done by the apprentices on Cockatoo Dockyards.

The interior varnished teak trim was the waste or off cuts salvaged from the refitting of merchant and passenger vessels that had seen war service and were restored at Cockatoo (and other shipyards) for handing back to their owners for normal civilian service.

"Despite her years, Codock II is a very sound vessel," said Mr Conway.

"Her underplanking is protected by copper sheathing, but most importantly while she has had a busy 60 or so years of continuous hard service, Codock II has undergone annual slipping and survey as a passenger carrying vessel," Mr Conway said.

"Codock II was in daily service up until Cockatoo Dockyard was shut down."

"She was purchased at that time at auction by Doyle's of Watson's Bay, and after some modifications it was intended to use her to transport patrons from Circular Quay to Watson's Bay and return.

"However she did not see extensive service and was purchased by a Rossmans Ferries for a period and then by Moonlight Charters in 1995.

"She was used to transport picnickers to various Harbour Islands and similar short trips.

"She is undergoing a restoration by Conway Marine over the next few years, which will include having her beech deck re-laid."

Central Coast Ferries' application to the Ministry of Transport was supported by Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews, Gosford councillors Robert Bell, Chris Holstein and Mayor Laurie Maher, Hardys Bay Residents Association President Mr Adrian Williams and Central Coast Tourism executive officer Mr Horst Endrulat.

Press release, October 20 George and Bet Conway, Central Coast Ferries