Former ferry operator forfeits $4 million to fix wooden vessels

At a council chamber meeting in August, Cr Schrinner said Transdev’s contract had a $4 million “security bond” that it had to forfeit if the vessels weren’t handed back in good shape.

Under the contract, which ended this month, Transdev was responsible for maintenance.

The network’s new operator, SeaLink, has brought over all of the fleet’s employees, including ferry masters and deckhands.

The wooden ferries remain docked at Rivergate Marina, where council is reviewing assessment reports detailing serious timber rot and other issues on the 30-year-old vessels ahead of repairing them.

Cr Schrinner said he was committed to seeing the wooden ferries return to active service, but council did not yet know the total expected cost of repairs.

“We…