BASS Strait ferry Spirit of Tasmania I arrived in Hobart early this morning [8 August] to begin four days of in-water maintenance before sister Spirit of Tasmania II heads to Sydney for a scheduled spell in drydock.
TT Line MD and CEO Bernard Dwyer said a minimum of 40 Tasmanian-based contractors had been engaged to complete the internal and external preservation and maintenance works while the vessel was in Hobart.
It is Spirit of Tasmania I’s first call at the Tasmanian capital since its July 2002 showcase visit at the end of its delivery voyage from Europe, when the Finnish-built twins replaced the original, white, Spirit of Tasmania. Spirit of Tasmania II was in Hobart last year for a similar three-week maintenance program.
On completion of work Spirit of Tasmania I will leave Hobart on Monday [12 August] for Devonport for loading before sailing to Geelong, Mr Dwyer said.
“Then, Spirit of Tasmania II will leave Geelong for Garden Island in Sydney on 13 August for a two-week dry dock (with an additional five days available if required as a contingency) as part of the company’s maintenance program for the vessels.
“While in Sydney Spirit of Tasmania II will undergo deck and hull preservation and painting, scheduled tank inspections, routine maintenance on the main engines and side thrusters, main gearboxes, generators and auxiliary equipment,” he said.
“Our vessels will operate an amended sailing schedule between Devonport and Geelong while the works are completed.”
Mr Dwyer said the vessels were highly regarded on the international ship market thanks to the company’s rigorous maintenance regime.
Meanwhile, the Tasmanian Labor Opposition is continuing to probe the Liberal Government over the additional cost of converting TT Line’s existing East Devonport terminal at No. 1 berth to accommodate the new ro-paxes Spirit of Tasmania IV and V.
The replacement ships will arrive well before completion of the new terminal at No. 3 berth is expected in early 2026, following contractor and cost overrun problems. The cost of modifications to No. 1 is estimated at $50 million but the new ships will not be able to utilise their additional capacity at that site, causing considerable concern amongst the tourism and freight industries.
