Passengers finally set sail after wild weather delays Spirit of Tasmania ferries

Wild weather saw Spirit of Tasmania II delayed from sailing across Bass Strait while its twin needed to sit in Port Phillip Bay until it could take that vessel’s spot at Station Pier. LATEST >>

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WILD weather saw the Spirit of Tasmania ferries delayed from both sailing and berthing as the Port of Melbourne was closed due to the rough conditions.

In a very rare occurrence, the vessel due to sail to Tasmania from Port Melbourne remained docked and the ferry which arrived in Victoria’s capital from Devonport needed to wait in Port Phillip Bay until it could berth.

One of the passengers waiting on-board at Station Pier said while the delay was frustrating she understood why the port was closed.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10 2021: Spirit of Tasmania 1 docks at Princess Pier after circling in Port Philip for some time due to the wild weather in Melbourne preventing Spirit of Tasmania 2 leaving this morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Matray

Lesley Watt boarded Spirit of Tasmania II at 5pm on Wednesday afternoon looking forward to getting home to Sheffield after a trip to NSW plagued by flight cancellations and other Covid-19 complications.

About 1.30pm Thursday the vessel finally left port and headed across Bass Strait.

“It is very, very windy and very rough in port,” she said while waiting for news on when they might be departing.

“We have not been out on deck because we have elected to stay in our cabin and not mix with others due to the latest Covid-19 outbreak.

She said the ship had been rocking all night.

“I feel for the animals, the horses and dogs on board who, like us ,have been on board since 5pm on Wednesday night,” she said.

Lesley Watt is one of many passengers, pets and horses marooned on the Spirit of Tasmania II in Port Melbourne.

TT-Line said passengers on board Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II were kept informed of the situation and provided with meals and beverages while on board.

“Spirit of Tasmania II departed Station Pier at 1:30pm on Thursday and will arrive in Devonport about 11.30pm,” the company said.

“This evening’s sailing from Devonport to Melbourne will be delayed. Passengers on these sailings have been contacted.”

“Spirit of Tasmania I docked in Melbourne at 2:30pm and the evening sailing from Melbourne to Devonport will depart as scheduled at 7:30pm.

“We thank passengers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The last time wild weather impacted sailing schedules was in 2016 when Spirit of Tasmania II broke free of its moorings and crashed into a pier in Port Melbourne.

The ship drifted until it was at a 90-degree angle to Station Pier and hit the structure damaging the front of the vessel.

Other wild weather events have made the journey across Bass Strait uncomfortable for passengers and vehicles were damaged - also in 2016 - due to a rough sailing but it is very rare for the ships not to sail.