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Press Releases - March 2002
NEW YORK EMERGENCY WORKERS A DAY TOO EARLY TO RESCUE MAGISTIC TWO Sydney Ferry hits Magistic Two a day after it hosts New York firefighters and police.
It''s been an eventful 24 hours for the Magistic Two. The 34m luxury Sydney harbour catamaran was yesterday host to 25 New York firefighters, police officers and emergency workers brought to Australia as a reward for their hard work after 11 September and as a show of solidarity between Sydney and New York. And today the vessel suffered an emergency of its own when Sydney Ferries Rivercat, the Nicole Stevenson, rammed into the back of the boat while the Magistic was berthed at King Street Wharf and boarding passengers.

"We could have done with the New York rescue workers here today," said Sudhir Warrier, CEO of Blue Line Cruises. "Perhaps they could have diverted the danger.".

"While all our passengers yesterday were thrilled to meet the New York emergency workers and pose for photos with them on board, today's passengers unfortunately had to be disembarked after the accident - before we'd even set off. It just shows what can happen in a period of 24 hours.

"Yesterday the New York firefighters and police were raving about the beauty of Sydney Harbour and about the quality of the Magistic Two. It would have been terrible if it had happened when they were aboard because they have probably seen enough disasters to last them a lifetime."

The Nicole Stevenson was turning to enter its berth at King Street Wharf when the captain lost control of the boat, sending it straight into the back of the Magistic Two and crushing the stairs on the starboard side. Luckily, the passengers were being boarded on the port side and no one was on the stairs when it happened. Only one passenger was hurt (minor injury when she was thrown from her seat).

"We were very lucky that the accident didn't happen differently," said Sudhir Warrier. "A metre or so on either side and the damage would have been alot more substantial."

While the New York emergency workers were nowhere in sight - thankfully they were off on a fishing expedition - Sydney Waterways Authority workers and police officers were soon on the scene, getting details from the captains of both boats. Since the Magistic Two was stationary, the fault was entirely that of the Sydney Ferries Rivercat.

The Magistic Two has only been cruising Sydney's waters for a matter of months, having been launched in September 2001 and is already firmly establishing itself as the premier lunch cruise on the harbour, with an unparalleled elegance and menus by renowned chef Paul Merrony.

The vessel will only be out of action for a short period and in the meantime, the smaller Magistic will continue to take passengers around the harbour in style.

And while the Magistic Two was yesterday proudly flying the American flag in honour of its important guests, today the flag will be flying at half-mast to mark the vessel's effective grounding at least for the short term.

"We have probably suffered a few hundred thousand dollars worth of damage but we will be fixing the Magistic Two as quickly as possible and she'll be back cruising the harbour in the same style very soon," said Sudhir Warrier.

Media contact: Nicole Tomiello ph (02) 8296 7303.