Ferry McFerryface will soon be gracing Sydney Harbour after a competition to name the city’s new ferries, but not everyone is happy about it.

The Maritime Union of Australia accused NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance of “taking the absolute mickey out of public transport” after the announcement on Tuesday.

“The transport minister is demonstrating here that he treats public transport as a joke,” Assistant Secretary of the union’s Sydney branch, Paul Garrett, told 2GB.

He said workers were “frustrated” with the decision, and 2GB is reporting union members will refuse to work on Ferry McFerryface.

“It’s official. We have named the final ferry in the new fleet. Welcome to Sydney, Ferry McFerryface,” NSW Public Transport wrote on Facebook.

More than 15,000 suggestions were made for the competition to name the six new inner-harbour ferries.

Mr Constance said Boaty McBoatface was the most popular vote, following a public vote in the UK to name a new polar research ship.

The minister said Transport NSW went with the second most popular name, Ferry McFerryface to avoid doubling up.

“Ferry McFerryface will be the harbour’s newest icon, and I hope it brings a smile to the faces of visitors and locals alike,” Mr Constance said.

“This one is for the kids.”

Three of the other ferries have already been named.

“The most popular names by far in the Name Your Ferry competition were Victor Chang, Fred Hollows and Catherine Hamlin, which are already ferrying passengers across the harbour,” Transport Minister Andrew Constance said.

In the UK where the public voted for Boaty McBoatface, the Natural Environment Research Council decided not to use the name and instead chose “Sir David Attenborough”.

-with wires