Next came the Southern Contessa, 60 tons and 60 feet, a speedy vessel built in 1977 for the Rottnest Island run. She saw service in Western Port from 1980-81.
Ferry Matthew Brady 128/137 tons 65x23x8 feet ON 355401, built at Hobart by Sullivans Cove Ferry Company in mid-1972, saw service here from 1981-1992. She transported many moto-GP fans along with Western Port Adventurer, Big Cat, and Thunder Bird from Lakes Entrance, for the first Grand Motor Cycle Prix April 1-4 1989. On July 8 1992 Matthew Brady caught fire while returning from Cowes to Rhyll. She was run ashore near Silverleaves but was a total loss.
Ferry Bay Connections I, 48 tons, 46.9 feet ON 854849, hull built in South Africa and finished off in Fremantle in 1994 was a sleek catamaran. Owner John Dickie of San Remo, operated from 1994.
Matthew Brady coming into Cowes