Sydney has come late to the party. The last of Sydney’s new inner-harbour ferries will be christened Ferry McFerryface and reaction has been … mixed.
More than 15,000 suggestions were made for the competition to name the six new inner-harbour ferries. “This one is for the kids,” said the New South Wales transport minister, Andrew Constance.
Showing a joke is never too old, voters were more keen for the ferry to be named Boaty McBoatface, the name chosen by voters in the UK when they were asked to name a new polar research ship. But the Natural Environment Research Council decided not to use the name, instead choosing Sir David Attenborough. (The name Boaty McBoatface was saved for a robot submarine carried on the research ship.)
Constance rejected the ferry’s new name, on the grounds that he wanted to avoid a double-up.
Ferry McFerryface joins a string of objects christened with frivolous names. This year an express train in Sweden was dubbed Trainy McTrainface and, in Sydney, there is racehorse called Horsey McHorseface.
Twitter users also had some strong feelings about the decision, despite it being decided by a public vote.
Boaty McBoatface strikes again... https://t.co/g7A9Gl1OcK
— Adam Rollason (@adamrollason) November 13, 2017
This is the greatest thing ever in the history of NSW Public Transport.
— Salty 🕶 (@MsVeruca) November 13, 2017
Ferry McFerryface pic.twitter.com/c24cAtipnf
How do you go about renouncing Australian citizenship? https://t.co/5WANetqjBx
— Andrew Mueller (@andrew_mueller) November 13, 2017
Praise hands eternal https://t.co/KgPYnOiAch
— Marc Fennell (@MarcFennell) November 13, 2017
I know Australian internet is bad, but is the internet running on an 18 month delay at Transport for Sydney HQ? https://t.co/QO1qulYgBK
— Dr Smith (@theotherdrsmith) November 13, 2017
Is Ferry McFerryface derivative and kind of lame? Yes, it is. Has 2017 been a bit of a kick in the teeth for just about everyone? Also, yes. Let’s let people enjoy something just a little silly for a minute.
— Luke Hopewell ⚡️ (@lukehopewell) November 13, 2017
You know what Sydney? You managed to do something right. All hail FERRY MCFERRY-FACE!
— Somethinglessspooky (@My_Squidpants) November 13, 2017
Ahhh Australia...our latest ferry is called “Ferry McFerryface” That wraps up a trilogy in the fleet of transport with “Boaty McBoatface” and “Trainy McTrainface” What even are we 😅
— Steph (@ss_40_ss) November 13, 2017
Ferry McFerryface is so typically Australian. Take something that the UK did well and make it lame. It's how we got Spicks and Specks.
— Bic (@Byronnorm) November 13, 2017
Ferry McFerryFace is truly reflective of Australian larikkinism. I love it and I hope they paint a big face across the bow. @LaTrioli
— Denise Shaw (@DeeEmmEss) November 13, 2017
Maritime staff have since refused to work on Ferry McFerryface.
EXCLUSIVE: The Maritime Union of Australia has told Ray Hadley workers will REFUSE to work on Ferry McFerryface.
— 2GB 873 (@2GB873) November 13, 2017
MORE HERE: https://t.co/j1BxZiVN7c pic.twitter.com/V0dRcfdpsn
In an interview on 2GB Radio, the assistant secretary of the Sydney branch, Paul Garrett, said he was appalled by the decision.
“He’s taking the absolute mickey out of public transport in this state,” he said.
“Sydney Ferries has had an iconic history with Sydney Harbour and are named after iconic beaches and iconic Olympians. The workers are just frustrated with it.”
The new inner-harbour vessels have capacity for about 400 passengers. The ferries feature wifi, designated bicycle storage areas and charging stations for electronic devices.
