Read Authentic Ratings for the Spirit-Of-Tasmania-1

On the night of December 11, 2025, the 'Spirit of Tasmania' experienced a significant delay during its scheduled departure from Geelong to Devonport. The issue arose from a malfunction in the vessel's bow thruster, which reportedly ingested a rope, leading to a postponed boarding process. Passengers waiting at the dock faced several hours of uncertainty before the ferry finally set sail after 11 p.m.

On March 6, 2023, a serious incident on the 'Spirit of Tasmania I' resulted in the 2nd engineer sustaining significant injuries that required surgical intervention. The accident occurred while the vessel was docked in Geelong, Victoria, during what was intended to be a standard oil change on one of the ship’s main engine turbochargers. An official investigation launched by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) revealed on November 27 that critical safety management procedures were not adhered to during the operation. As the work on the turbocharger progressed, complications arose, leading the crew to opt for replacing the turbocharger’s bearing housing cover plate, which involved multiple ascents and descents off the engine. Unfortunately, the engineer lost his footing while descending and fell, resulting in a severe knee injury that required surgery. The investigation highlighted several lapses in safety protocols. Notably, there was no established safe route to access the top of the main engine, which was essential for the work being conducted. The engineer traversed along the rocker covers and mistakenly stepped across to an opening in the railing, slipping off and falling in the process. Furthermore, the decision to replace the bearing housing cover plate marked a considerable expansion of the initial work scope, yet safety protocols were not adjusted. A further review showed that the existing Job Safety Analysis (JSA) was not updated, nor was a new pre-start safety checklist completed, as those involved felt pressured by time constraints and considered the task to be of low risk. Consequently, the risks associated with slips and falls were not properly addressed. The ATSB's findings underscored that the safety management system's procedures for conducting Job Safety Analyses were inadequately implemented at the time of the incident. Crucially, there was no JSA specifically for the replacement of the turbocharger bearing housing cover plate, and the existing ones covering related work failed to identify the risks associated with access. In response to this incident, TT-Line, the ship manager, has taken steps to enhance safety by introducing removable work platforms to facilitate safer access on both the 'Spirit of Tasmania I' and its sister ship, the 'Spirit of Tasmania II'. Additionally, they have revised Job Safety Analyses concerning turbocharger and exhaust manifold operations to better include access risks. For a comprehensive overview, refer to the full ATSB report: https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/news-items/2025/procedures-not-followed-prior-crew-injury-spirit-tasmania-i.

In July 2025, Singapore's maritime authorities took action to detain the 'Spirit of Tasmania 1' due to serious safety concerns that emerged during inspections. At 9 a.m. local time (11 a.m. AEST), government surveyors boarded the vessel to conduct thorough checks, leading to the decision by the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) Port State Control to prevent the ferry from departing until critical issues are addressed. The operator, TT-Line, could not provide a timeline for when the ferry would be allowed to resume its journey. Significant concerns were flagged regarding the fire detection system and visitor log maintenance. Consequently, this detention is anticipated to hinder the ferry's return to the important Bass Strait route, which facilitates the transportation of both passengers and freight between the Australian mainland and Tasmania. The 'Spirit of Tasmania 1' had recently undergone maintenance in Singapore, preparing for its anticipated return to Australian waters. The ferry is scheduled to depart Singapore on August 28, heading to Keelung, with an expected arrival time set for August 6.

In a heartbreaking event, a passenger aboard the Spirit of Tasmania tragically lost his life after falling overboard. The incident took place on April 30, 2023, around 8:50 p.m. when authorities recovered the man's body from the waters near Geelong, Victoria. The ferry, which had been en route to Tasmania, immediately turned back shortly after 8:00 p.m. to facilitate a search and ensure an accurate headcount of passengers onboard. Fortunately, the investigation revealed that the man's death was not considered suspicious. The Spirit of Tasmania ferry has since returned to port. This unfortunate event follows a similar incident where 35-year-old Warwick Tollemache from Brisbane went overboard from the Royal Caribbean's Quantum OTS, about 1400km south of the Hawaiian Islands, just days earlier. A representative from Victoria Police confirmed that they would compile a report for the Coroner following the recovery of the body at approximately 8:50 p.m. on Sunday.

Aeeris, the innovative disaster warning service based in Chinderah, has entered into a significant agreement with TT-Line Company to enhance maritime safety for its ferry operations in Tasmania. Led by the visionary entrepreneur Kerry Plowright, Aeeris will deliver continuous severe weather forecasts, monitoring, and alerts tailored specifically for the two passenger ferries, Spirits of Tasmania 1 and 2. This collaboration aims to ensure the safety of travelers by keeping them informed of potential weather threats on the high seas, marking a vital step in maritime safety management in the region.

The extensive search for a man who went overboard into the frigid Bass Strait waters has officially been called off. The tragic incident occurred on the night of June 24, 2016, when the 45-year-old man from Ballarat fell from the 'Spirit of Tasmania 1,' approximately 124 kilometers southeast of Port Phillip Heads at 11:40 p.m. Following the alarming reports from fellow passengers, immediate rescue operations were initiated, leading to a thorough search of a 247 square kilometer area. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was informed shortly after midnight, at 12:10 a.m., and took charge of coordinating a robust response involving two helicopters, including the Victoria Police Air Wing, along with the 'Spirit of Tasmania' ferries and several cargo ships. As dawn broke, water police and four helicopters joined the mission, alongside AMSA's dedicated search and rescue aircraft. However, despite these efforts, the search concluded around 1 p.m. without finding the missing man. According to a spokesperson from the AMSA, the decision to suspend the operation was made based on medical assessments indicating that survival past midday in such harsh conditions was deemed unlikely. The specific circumstances surrounding the man’s fall remain under investigation, with Tasmanian police planning to interview witnesses upon the ship’s arrival in Devonport and to review any available CCTV footage that could shed light on the incident. Passengers who witnessed the fall acted swiftly, notifying the ship's personnel who undertook emergency protocols. Social media posts from one passenger revealed that all onboard were asked to assemble in the main sitting area for approximately three hours while search efforts continued. The 'Spirit of Tasmania I' and 'Spirit of Tasmania II' ferries were subsequently released from the search operations on June 25 morning. The 'Spirit of Tasmania II' returned to Melbourne around noon, while the 'Spirit of Tasmania I' docked in Devonport by 2:15 p.m. Operations for the scheduled ferry crossings from both Melbourne and Devonport resumed as planned. The police have indicated that while the investigation is ongoing, they do not consider the circumstances surrounding the man's disappearance to be suspicious.