PROBLEMS reported to be with the vessel’s navigation/steering systems caused a four-hour delay to the arrival of Spirit of Tasmania IV in Geelong this morning [5 November] just as the ATSB looks into similar issues with sister Spirit V during an earlier trial voyage.
Observers on social media noticed Spirit IV apparently idle in Port Phillip as, it turned out, it awaited a tug from Geelong to escort it to berth, which it did at about 10.30am. It had earlier made several round turns off the Heads.
In a statement TT Line chief executive Chris Carbone said "The master of Spirit of Tasmania identified a fault as the vessel was preparing to transit through Port Phillip Heads on Thursday morning".
“Tug support was deemed appropriate. The tug had to travel to the ship from Geelong, hence the delay," he said.
The company said it was "investigating the matter and had engaged technicians to diagnose the issue".
"We apologise for the inconvenience to our passengers," Mr Carbone said.
A TT-Line spokesperson said the Australian Maritime Safety Authority would be advised, as was standard practice.
Meanwhile, the ATSB is investigating a steering issue involving Spirit of Tasmania V, off Point Henry, Port Phillip, Victoria, on 24 October 2026.
The ship had departed its terminal in Geelong at 1956 under the conduct of a harbour pilot. It was bound for Devonport with 94 crew and 20 passengers on board and was carrying a cargo of freight vehicles. The voyage, carrying cargo but without fare-paying passengers, was part of the ship's operational testing program in preparation for its full introduction to service a week later with fare-paying passengers.
At about 2030, the ship was being controlled using its autopilot when it reached the junction between the Hopetoun Channel and Wilson Spit Channel to the northeast of Point Henry. The required starboard turn was initiated, but the autopilot responded slow causing a wider than expected turn, the Bureau says.
After adjusting the settings, the ship's rate of turn increased with the autopilot subsequently unable to arrest the turn. Steering control was then switched to manual, and port rudder applied to stop the turn.
Subsequent attempts to control the ship's heading resulted in increasing heading oscillations from port to starboard, resulting in the ship briefly moving outside the charted shipping channel's southern and northern limits.
In order to regain control of the ship's movement, it was then brought to a stop in the Wilson Spit Passing Channel to the south of the shipping channel's limit before resuming its outbound voyage.
The ATSB has commenced an investigation into the incident. As part of the investigation, ATSB investigators attended the ship to collect evidence, which included examining the ship's equipment, interviewing involved personnel, examining records and documentation, and accessing recorded data.
A final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety message be identified at any time during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify the operators of the ship, and other relevant parties so that appropriate and timely safety action can be taken.