RADAR HISTORY

Radar was built in 1947 for the well known and longstanding Sydney Harbour ferry operator Charles Rosman. It remained in continuous service with Rosman for over 60 years until it was bought by Frank and Steve Matthews (1987 - 2008) and finally Noakes Group. It has a strong social association with Sydney Harbour through its work on some of the inner harbour routes and many charter operations.

Charles Rosman commissioned the design of Radar around September 1945. It was designed by naval architect David Philip of Lombard chambers, Pitt Street, Sydney and built in 1946/7 by Reg Adams at Berrys Bay, Sydney with a traditional hull shape although the superstructure and funnel are a more modern sytle.

Material shortages caused construction delays and one significant problem was Rosman's demand for teak decking; he would not accept anything else. At this time imported teak was only available to Government wartime projects so Rosman had to source used teak from the decking of HMAS Adelaide, then being broken up in Sydney. The ferry's decking shows evidence of its origins with graving pieces (timber inlay) in some of the planks where fastenings or equipment had been located on HMAS Adelaide's deck.

Not long after Radar began operating, the original open top deck was recognised as limiting the number of passengers the vessel could carry in inclement weather. Most of the upper deck was then enclosed, however the workmanship was not of the standard of the original vessel and the upper deck, bulwarks and windows were eventually replaced.

On 1 July 1972 a bar was opened on board Radar making it the first charter ferry on Sydney Harbour to be issued with a liquor licence.

Radar is one of the fleet of five Rosman Ferries owned and restored to original by Noakes Group.

Builder: Australian Fishing Industries

Designer: David Philip

Place Built: Berry's Bay

Vessel Dimensions LOA: 17.25m (56.6 ft)
LWL: 16 m (52.5 ft)
Breadth Overall: 6.16m (20.21 ft)
Draft of Hull: 1.83m (6 ft)
Displacement: 65 tonnes (63.96 tons)

Source: Australian National Maritime Museum
Radar is on the Australian National Maritime Museum Register of Historic Vessels