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Spirit of Tasmania ferry damaged as storm rips it from Melbourne moorings Spirit of Tasmania ferry damaged as storm rips it from Melbourne moorings
(34 minutes later)
The Spirit of Tasmania II has been taken out of service after being badly damaged when it broke its moorings with passengers on board during a wild storm in Melbourne.The Spirit of Tasmania II has been taken out of service after being badly damaged when it broke its moorings with passengers on board during a wild storm in Melbourne.
Bass Strait ferry services will resume with just one ship doing double duty.Bass Strait ferry services will resume with just one ship doing double duty.
A wind gust of about 100km/h caused the Spirit of Tasmania II’s moorings to snap on Wednesday night, swinging the ship 90 degrees from the side of Station Pier, buckling the “sky bridge” ramp between the shore and the ship’s vehicle hold.A wind gust of about 100km/h caused the Spirit of Tasmania II’s moorings to snap on Wednesday night, swinging the ship 90 degrees from the side of Station Pier, buckling the “sky bridge” ramp between the shore and the ship’s vehicle hold.
Spirit of Tasmania appears to have broken its mooring & is drifting towards the beach pic.twitter.com/8ZmS74LUyf
Passengers on the Spirit of Tasmania II and its sister ship in Devonport remained on board overnight.Passengers on the Spirit of Tasmania II and its sister ship in Devonport remained on board overnight.
TT Line spokesman Nicolas Turner said Spirit of Tasmania I will operate a double sailing schedule on Thursday night which will continue while the other vessel is prepared.TT Line spokesman Nicolas Turner said Spirit of Tasmania I will operate a double sailing schedule on Thursday night which will continue while the other vessel is prepared.
An engineering assessment will also be conducted on the pier, a Port of Melbourne spokesman said.An engineering assessment will also be conducted on the pier, a Port of Melbourne spokesman said.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority may also investigate, he said.The Australian Maritime Safety Authority may also investigate, he said.
The full extent of the damage from the storms across Victoria is yet to be revealed.The full extent of the damage from the storms across Victoria is yet to be revealed.
Damaging winds and dry lightning strikes accompanied thunderstorms that affected a vast area of Victoria on Wednesday afternoon and evening, spanning from the Mallee to the northeast and from the surf coast to metropolitan Melbourne and Gippsland.Damaging winds and dry lightning strikes accompanied thunderstorms that affected a vast area of Victoria on Wednesday afternoon and evening, spanning from the Mallee to the northeast and from the surf coast to metropolitan Melbourne and Gippsland.
Gusts peaked at 107km/h in Hopetoun and 100km/h in St Kilda, but gusts over 90km/h were common in many parts of Victoria.Gusts peaked at 107km/h in Hopetoun and 100km/h in St Kilda, but gusts over 90km/h were common in many parts of Victoria.
A murky mist of dust blew into Melbourne with the storm that brought a cooling wind change to the city, where the top temperature was 42 degrees.A murky mist of dust blew into Melbourne with the storm that brought a cooling wind change to the city, where the top temperature was 42 degrees.
State Control Centre spokesman Gerard Scholten said the State Emergency Service had 400 calls for assistance to 9pm on Wednesday.State Control Centre spokesman Gerard Scholten said the State Emergency Service had 400 calls for assistance to 9pm on Wednesday.
Of those, 195 were for fallen trees and 53 for minor building damage.Of those, 195 were for fallen trees and 53 for minor building damage.
The worst-hit areas included Melbourne’s outer east and northeast, Colac, Warragul and Mildura.The worst-hit areas included Melbourne’s outer east and northeast, Colac, Warragul and Mildura.