Sunday, October 16, 2011

IF BY SEA the Bruny Island Ferry

Bruny Island is not far off the coast of the Australian Isand state of Tasmania. A ferry runs regularly from the seaside village of Kettering to the Bruny Island ferry dock at Roberts Point. The ferry takes approx 10 to 15 minutes to cross the channel. The ferry transports cars, caravans & bicycles as well as walk on commuters. The ferry is occassionally flanked by dolphins that glide through the water thus the painting of the dolphin pod on the side of the vessel which is proudly named the Mirambeena.


During the 1950's the ferry docked at Barnes Bay. The old vessel was named the Mangana in reference to Bruny Island's own beautiful Mangana mountain.


The newer Vessel the Mirambeena has all the mod cons, two motors, lights at night, toilet facilities, what appears to be hundreds of life jackets & an alarm system. The ferry is extremely safe & undergoes a regular service & inspection once a year. However small inconvenient mishaps have been known to happen & in one case the ability of the ferry to successfully dock was impaired & a cute little ship was employed to help the ferry into dock ( see picture below )


Below is a fantastic picture of the old ferry at the dock. 


 It's delightful to see the men in suits & the women in gloves for their trip on the ferry.

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