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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc
Ferry search re-launched
The Woy Woy to Davistown ferry service was re-launched last Friday, October 4.
The Member for Peats, Marie Andrews, launched a $1.45 million custom-built ferry on its trial run on Brisbane Water from Woy Woy Wharf at 10.30am.
Ms Andrews and proprietor of Palm Beach Ferries, Mr Peter Verrils, both cut a blue ribbon to launch the operations.
Ms Andrews gave a short speech, before taking the one-hour round trip to Davistown.
"It was excellent, a beautiful trip.
"I'd recommend it to anyone," she said.
The trial is the first step to the reinstatement of the ferry service.
The previous Davistown to Woy Woy ferry service stopped operating in August 2001.
Ms Andrews said that she thought the new service had a much better chance.
"The last ferry operator was a single route operator.
"This operator runs the Ettalong to Palm beach ferry as well," she said.
"A number of people took advantage of the previous service, commuters, students and tourists," she said.
Ms Andrews said that the new service was convenient for commuters as they could commute from the Davistown area, jump on train at Woy Woy and not have to worry about parking.
She said it would also be an excellent service for tourism in the area.
Member for Gosford, Mr Chris Hartcher, wrote to those who would have access to the ferry in Empire Bay, Saratoga and Davistown areas, to inform them of the ferry's launch with details of how to catch the new service
The ferry will go to Saratoga, Davistown and Empire Bay.
Timetables will be available from Davistown RSL and Empire Bay Real Estate office.
The first service will depart Woy Woy at 6:15am and the last service will depart Woy Woy at 6:50pm.
The stops will be at Woy Woy wharf, Veterans Hall (Saratoga), Lintern St, Central (Davistown), Pine Ave and Empire bay.
"The service operator, Palm Beach Ferries, will conduct the trials to fine tune the timetable and get passengers accustomed to the route," Ms Andrews said.
"I'm very pleased the Government has given the green light for a return of the ferry service on Brisbane Water and I encourage both locals and tourists to take part in the trial to show support.
"The new ferry has been custom-built and is an environmentally-friendly, low-wash catamaran with a capacity to carry 220 passengers," she said.
The trial ferry service will operate 10 daily return journeys Monday and Friday between Woy Woy and Davistown.
Six return journeys will run on weekends and public holidays between Woy Woy and Davistown, as well as a number of one-way journeys from Woy Woy.
Information on the ferry can be found at www.palmbeachferry.com.au
Alison Branley, press release, October 4