SUTHERLAND shire's famous ferry, MV Curranulla, notched up 75 years' service this week, making it Australia's oldest commuter ferry operating to a timetable.
MV Curranulla, which runs daily between Cronulla and Bundeena, was commissioned on May 12, 1939. At the time it was the largest, fastest vessel on Port Hacking.
Original owner Captain Robert Ryall had the vessel designed specifically for the varying shallow and rough waters of Port Hacking. It was built by Morrison and Sinclair shipbuilders of Balmain.
Named after the Aboriginal word for place of pink shells, MV Curranulla still makes 13 round trips daily, seven days a week, on the 20-minute Cronulla-to-Bundeena run.
She can carry up to 133 passengers and is manned by two crew.
The ferry has completed the equivalent of 40 trips around the equator during her time in service, said owner Carl Rogan of Cronulla and National Park Ferry Cruises.
She carries over 200,000 passengers a year, including tourists, residents, schoolchildren, travel groups, seniors groups and sightseers.
She won the Greater Sydney Tourism Award several times in heritage and cultural tourism categories, the Shire Tourism Award in heritage tourism and was a finalist in the NSW Tourism Awards.
But it has not all been smooth sailing.
MV Curranulla was washed up onto rocks at Hungry Point in 1985 after abandoning her run because of dangerous seas. She was saved when the next wave came along and floated her off the rocks.
Now the service is cancelled in rough weather.
Without the ferry, Bundeena would not exist as it is today.
Until the 1950s, there was no road to Bundeena, so the ferry was the township's lifeline.
Today, many commuters and students sail on her across Port Hacking to get to school or work.
On weekends, more than 1000 tourists board the MV Curranulla to explore the Royal National Park.
The ferry is slipped every July school holidays for a paint job inside and out while the engine, gearbox and steering get an overhaul.
Cronulla and National Park Ferry Cruises celebrated her birthday Tuesday with a cake for passengers.
Do you catch the ferry? Tell us what it means to you.
