A ferry from Sydney has arrived in Newcastle to act as an emergency backup for the city's beleaguered Stockton ferry service, which has been crippled by repeated breakdowns for nearly a year.
A short-term fix for a long-term problem
The vessel, dispatched by Captain Cook Cruises, docked at Carrington on Friday, January 2, 2026. It will remain on standby to replace the MV Shortland if it suffers another mechanical failure. This stopgap measure was announced by Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp on Christmas Eve and has been welcomed by frustrated Stockton residents.
The city's second ferry, the MV Hunter, was sent to Sydney for critical repairs last month and has been out of action for almost a year. The loaned Sydney ferry, a twin-deck catamaran built around 2016 with capacity for 190 passengers, is intended to prevent further bus replacements during breakdowns. Buses have previously added up to an hour of travel time for commuters, compared to the six-minute harbour crossing.
Community pressure mounts for permanent solution
The relief vessel's arrival coincides with a Stockton Community Group petition that has gathered roughly 2000 signatures in a fortnight, demanding answers from Transport for NSW about the service's future. The petition needs 20,000 signatures to force a debate in state parliament.
Alison Rigby, executive of the Stockton Community Group, said the community was grateful for the backup boat but stressed that fundamental questions about replacing the ageing fleet remain unanswered. The ferries are nearly 40 years old and require significant overhaul or replacement.
Nick Lester, General Manager of SeaLink, which operates Captain Cook Cruises, delivered the ferry. He explained the vessel is on a "dry hire" arrangement, meaning a Newcastle Transport crew will operate it if needed. Local crews have been training on it for weeks. Lester expects it to remain for a minimum of one month, or until the MV Hunter returns.
Political apologies and operator blame game
Delays in repairing the Hunter have been attributed to long wait times at the busy Carrington slipway. The ongoing crisis has drawn sharp political criticism. During a December visit, Premier Chris Minns called the situation "intolerable" and apologised for the prolonged disruption, urging immediate repairs.
A dispute over responsibility persists between the private operator, Keolis Downer, which says the vessels need replacement, and the state's transport department, which owns the assets and maintains that upkeep is the operator's duty.
MP Tim Crakanthorp hailed the backup ferry as a "huge win" and a critical step to keep the community connected, while vowing to continue advocating for a permanent, long-term solution to Newcastle's ageing ferry fleet.
