History of Micat and the Hawkins Family
Micat is operated by Moreton Island Ferries Pty Ltd, a family owned company which has been running to Moreton Island for many, many years.
Following is an excerpt written by Shirley Hawkins. Shirley and her husband Neville started Moreton Island Ferries many years ago as a natural progression to their freight business, Hawkins Transport.
Well, it was the kids fault again. We had a big boat to carry them to the beautiful Moreton Island we love, we were asked if we could carry "this one" and "that thing" across on our boat. Neville, whose life is cartage as the owner of Hawkins Transport, happily agreed, resulting in the first vessel to carry passengers and freight to the Island.
She was called the "Malahini" and with a length of 34' she was only small and was soon replaced by the "Rigel Kent". The Rigil Kent was a little slower than the Malahini so we changed things so that we only left from Bulimba.
Rigil Kent paved the way for the 1st Moreton Venture, which was 70' long and 15' wide. She was a splendid timber craft built by Norman Wright here in Brisbane. This was replaced in 1980 with Moreton Venture (2). This was a beach landing craft, the first of its type in the world. We had searched Australia for a marine architect who could draw to our specifications, and give us a fast, good looking craft. It was completed in 1980 and was the best in the bay with the capacity for 21 cars and 150 passengers.
In 1986 she was replaced. Moreton Venture (2) now works in the Gulf of Carpentaria, under the name "The Captain Roberts".
Our vessels continued to bear the name "Moreton Venture" and a new vehicular ferry was born. The bigger and faster Moreton Venture was launched in 1986, it was 42m long and 11m wide, and carried 38 cars and 270 passengers. She was in faithful service until the 23rd of March 2004.
After 18 years we thought another change was necessary and again listed our marine architect. (who had since become world renowned for his fast ferries)
The result is MICAT, a 58m long and 16m wide, fast catamaran. Micat is a unique vessel, and to this day there is simply nothing like her servicing the islands off the coast of Australia.
2009 is the 39th year of operation to Moreton Island by the Hawkins Family. We are very proud of our vocation and our great customers who return again and again.