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The
New South Wales state government announced the name for one of
its six new ferries on Tuesday after a public vote, with
Transport Minister Andrew Constance deeming it "one for the
kids".
Ferry McFerryface was actually the second choice in the
Australian poll, behind Boaty McBoatface, the name also chosen
by the British public in a 2016 vote to name a new polar
research vessel.
The British government overturned that vote, instead naming the
vessel after leading naturalist David Attenborough, but failed
to stem an internet craze that led to temporary copycats like
Trainy McTrainface and Firey McFireface.
The name Boaty McBoatface eventually went to a research vessel
on board the David Attenborough.
Australian authorities said they planned to comply with the
public vote, albeit passing on Boaty as the first choice, given
the lack of originality.
"We asked Sydney to name their new ferries, and we have
listened," Constance said in a statement. "Ferry McFerryface
will be the harbour’s newest icon, and I hope it brings a smile
to the faces of visitors and locals alike."
But the country's Maritime Union, whose members staff the ferry
fleet, failed to see the funny side.
Paul Garrett, a spokesman for the union, said workers were
frustrated by the decision, noting that ferries have
traditionally been named after Sydney's beaches and successful
Olympians.
"The transport minister is demonstrating here that he treats
public transport as a joke," Garrett told 2GB radio.
Three of the other five new ferries have already been given more
traditional names in honour of luminaries including heart
surgeon Victor Chang, ophthalmologist and humanitarian Fred
Hollows and obstetrician and gynaecologist Catherine Hamlin.
(Reporting by Alana Schetzer. Editing by Jane Wardell and Nick
Macfie)
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