THE name of Perth’s third ferry has been decided, with ‘MV Tricia’ getting the nod after a month-long social media, website and in-person submission period.
The name honours Perth Zoo’s iconic 62-year-old Asian elephant Tricia, who has captured the heart of Western Australians for generations.
Tricia was among the most popular name suggestions during the campaign.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWTransport Minister Rita Saffioti said Tricia’s history in South Perth and connection to thousands of Western Australians gave her a massive advantage.
“A number of Tricia’s champions said they had visited her when they were children, and now take their children and grandchildren to see her at Perth Zoo – often using the Transperth ferry to get there,” Ms Saffioti said.
“In 2018 there were more than 648,000 journeys on Transperth ferries, a great many of those passengers either tourists or locals travelling to the Zoo. It is fitting Tricia’s name will grace our newest ferry for many years to come, and I look forward to it launching later this year.”
The $2.6 million, 148-seat MV Tricia weighs 26 tonnes and is currently having the finishing touches applied at WA boat builder Dongara Marine.
It will join the MV Shelley Taylor-Smith and the MV Phillip Pendal ferrying passengers between Elizabeth Quay and Mends Street Jetty.
After the new vessel is launched, all three ferries will be rotated through service, with the older Shelley Taylor-Smith to be predominantly used as a reserve and during special events.