VESSEL REVIEW | Talwurrapin – Commuter ferry to serve Australia’s Redland Bay

Australian transport company the Kelsian Group, via its SeaLink operating arm, has commenced sailings of a newbuild catamaran ferry that will provide commuter services for residents and tourists in Queensland, particularly the communities in and around Redland Bay.

The ferry has been named Talwurrapin after the Quandamooka Jandai translation of "Redland Bay." Construction of the vessel was undertaken by shipyard Norman R Wright and Sons based in Brisbane's Murarrie suburb.

The new ferry has an aluminium hull, a composite superstructure, a length of 24 metres, and a beam of six metres. The propulsion system includes azimuthing waterjets that deliver a transit speed of just over 19 knots and also enable the vessel to turn on its own length, ensuring faster departures.

Talwurrapin replaces Inswiabon, an earlier ferry in the SeaLink fleet. Improvements over the older vessel include more spacious passenger seating areas in an air-conditioned main cabin as well as an unobstructed view of the outside thanks to the installation of floor-to-ceiling windows.

The forward portion of the main cabin also has seats that can be folded up against the sides to provide additional space for passengers in wheelchairs. Forward of the main cabin is the pilothouse fitted with an electronics suite that includes a Simrad radar.

Talwurrapin will be operated by SeaLink as part of the Translink Southern Moreton Bay Island Ferry network alongside two other vessels that are scheduled to enter service before the end of the year. The new ferry's stops will include Macleay, Russell, Lamb, and Karragarra islands.

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