MAY GIBBS

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Former master of the 'May Gibbs' who fell asleep has had his dismissal claim rejected.

The former master of the 'May Gibbs' who fell asleep at the helm of the ferry has had his unfair dismissal claim rejected. Nigel Sclater was fired after the incident in April, leaving the engineer to steer the ship between Pyrmont Bay and McMahon's Point in Sydney. After the ship arrived at Balmain East the manager boarded to find him asleep on a bench. Sclater blamed cough medicine for causing his drowsiness, and told the Fair Work Commission he was on four different types of heart medication since suffering a stroke in 2015. On the day he fell asleep he had taken two doses of the cough medicine but none of his heart medication. He stated that at the Pyrmont Bay wharf, he began to feel tired and sat down on the settee in the wheelhouse. Hhe closed his eyes and must have drifted off but believed that he was only "absolutely unconscious" for about five minutes. He did not make a conscious decision to try and have a nap. Mr Sclater said he didn't recall the engineer - who was qualified to drive the ferry - trying to wake him but if he had he would have asked him to take over because of how he was feeling. He later had a meeting with two line managers and denied allegations he was argumentative and caused a safety risk.

Ferry with disputed name involved in allision

Sydne’s most notorious ferry "Ferry McFerryface" has been involved in another yet mishap, crashing into a wharf at Balmain on Feb 28, 2018, at 11 a.m. The unlucky vessel — which has been in the news for months following a long saga over its jokey name — was now being inspected at Balmain Shipyards for damages. Around 60 customers travelling on the 10.19 a.m. Watson Bay to Pyrmont Bay service when it hit the Balmain East wharf while berthing, but no injuries were reported. The customers were transferred from Balmain East to Barangaroo and Pyrmont Bay by the replacement vessel "Friendship", which was not operating a timetabled service at the time. The slightly damaged ferry has returned to the Balmain Shipyard where shipyard staff inspected it. The incident was under investigation and the crew was undergoing mandatory drug and alcohol testing. It was unclear when the ship would re-enter service. The ferry, which is still operating under its maritime name "Emerald 6", was renamed “May Gibbs” by Transport Minister Andrew Constance last month. "Ferry McFerryface" has suffered public ridicule and multiple name changes after its name was first revealed late last year, with maritime workers threatening strike action and further revelations NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance had bypassed an official panel to make the “captain’s pick” name.