TT LINE ro-pax Spirit of Tasmania IV arrived in home port Devonport yesterday [23 August] to undergo berthing trials and received a rapturous welcome from the general public and local politicians and dignitaries.
The 47,944 GT vessel departed lay-up at Melbourne’s Station Pier at 1850 on Friday night [21 August] and cruised Bass Strait to enter the River Mersey at daylight on Sunday, officially berthing at 0750 at the new TT Line terminal at 3 East, ahead of Searoad Mersey II and Spirit of Tasmania I.
Spectators lined the riverbanks for the first visit by one of the new sisterships, with Spirit of Tasmania V due to make a similar berth-trialling visit next month ahead of both newbuildings replacing the existing ferries at the end of October. It is expected the new Spirits will make a number of familiarisation voyages before taking up regular Geelong-Devonport operations.
TT Line chairman Ken Kanofski said the arrival and berthing had gone without a hitch and he was “never concerned” there would be problems accommodating the larger ship in the river [albeit weather conditions were perfect].
“Yes, Spirit IV is a big ship, but it's also a very manoeuvrable ship, I never had any doubt it would manoeuvre in the river,” he told local media.
Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff called the debut “the dawn of a new era for tourism".
“I could not be prouder of today,” Mr Rockliff said.
“It has been some journey, but it's been a journey culminating in billions of dollars of investment for the next number of decades that will provide enormous positivity, economic activity, jobs and, most importantly, enormous pride for all Tasmanians.”
The Premier was one of the first to drive aboard Spirit IV over the mega-gantry ramp structure, in his veteran Subaru Brumby ute.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Amy Hills said the investment into the new ships "shows the rest of Australia and the world that we are investing in the future of our economy".
"It's not only something Tasmanians can be proud of, it's bringing more visitors to our state," she said.
"Those visitors are the types that will travel more into our regions, they'll stay longer in Tasmania, and they'll invest in our communities."
Both the ship and terminal have been badly delayed, with a key indicator being Spirit IV’s registered year-of-build, 2024.
Spirit of Tasmania IV departed Devonport at 1430 today to return to Melbourne lay-up.