The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has expanded its investigation into steering issues on the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries. This follows a primary steering system failure on Spirit IV during a passenger voyage on Thursday.
A tugboat escorted Spirit of Tasmania IV into Geelong as a precaution after the incident. The vessel arrived in Geelong four hours behind schedule but resumed service overnight.
The expanded probe will now include this incident alongside a separate investigation into Spirit V, which experienced steering problems involving its autopilot during a trial voyage on October 24. That incident caused Spirit V to move outside charted shipping channel limits off Geelong. The ATSB is also investigating a third incident from October 15, where the master of Spirit I aborted entry into Port Phillip Bay due to a position error on the ship’s electronic chart display.
TT-Line’s chief executive Chris Carbone told a Public Accounts Committee hearing that the new ships are safe and equipped with multiple redundancies, including two separate steering systems. Mr Carbone explained that in the Spirit IV incident, the primary system failed, and they moved to the backup system. A tug was called because there was no further backup.
TT-Line chairman Ken Kanofski apologised for the four-hour delay, stating that safety took precedence over scheduling. Mr Kanofski assured the committee that all backup systems and procedures activated, protocols were followed, the captain remained in control, and passengers and crew were safe.
Mr Carbone noted it is not yet known if the steering issues on both Spirit IV and Spirit V share the same root cause. TT-Line has appointed an independent investigator to assess both incidents.
The ATSB stated that its broadened investigation will involve downloading both ships’ vessel data recorders, examining equipment, interviewing crew and relevant personnel, and analysing records and documentation. The bureau considers occurrences involving Australian-flagged passenger vessels its highest investigation priority in marine transport.
Spirit I and Spirit II have been retired from service as part of TT-Line’s ferry replacement program and are currently berthed in Victoria while TT-Line seeks buyers. Mr Kanofski informed the committee that discussions are “very advanced” for their sale, with hopes one ship will be sold by the end of December and the other by mid next year.