Arabic version: تي تي لاين تحقق في مشكلة ملاحية تعرضت لها سبيريت 1

According to ABC News, TT-Line has launched an investigation after a navigational issue affected Spirit of Tasmania I as it approached the Victorian coast last week. Track maps showed the ferry travelling toward Geelong early on Thursday when it departed its standard route and made a wide U-turn close to Point Lonsdale.

TT-Line said the vessel’s master identified an issue with the ship’s navigation equipment while preparing to transit through Port Phillip Heads. As a precaution, the ferry returned to open water to reset the system before continuing. The reset was completed successfully and Spirit I arrived safely at the Port of Geelong about 20 minutes behind schedule.

The operator is seeking to determine whether the issue resulted from a technical fault or human error. Chief executive Chris Carbone said safety was the company’s “number one priority” and that TT-Line had begun an independent review. A report was made to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which TT-Line said was standard practice for incidents of this nature. The company also elected to have a pilot aboard the following evening.

Spirit I and its sister ship, Spirit II, have carried passengers and cargo across Bass Strait since 2002. They are scheduled to make their final Devonport-to-Geelong sailings on Thursday and Friday, respectively, before Spirit IV and Spirit V begin carrying passengers from October 31. TT-Line is trying to sell the older ferries, while their berthing arrangements remain unclear until a buyer is found.