7 August 2024
Spirit of Tasmania I will return to Hobart for the first time in more than 20 years tomorrow (Thursday 8 August) for a four-day layover for internal and external preservation and maintenance works.
Spirit of Tasmania Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Bernard Dwyer said a minimum of 40 Tasmanian-based contractors had been engaged to complete the maintenance work while the vessel was in Hobart.
“Spirit of Tasmania I will leave Hobart on Monday 12 August for Devonport for loading before sailing to Geelong,” he 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.
“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.
“While in Sydney Spirit of Tasmania II will undergo deck and hull preservation and painting, scheduled tank inspections, routine maintenance on the main engine and side thrusters, main gearboxes, generators and auxiliary equipment,” he said.
Spirit of Tasmania I originally arrived in Hobart for the first time on 29 July 2002 when the vessel and her sister ship – Spirit of Tasmania II – were first acquired to replace the original Spirit of Tasmania.
This week’s visit is the first time Spirit of Tasmania I has returned to Hobart since then.
Spirit of Tasmania II was in Hobart last year for a three-week maintenance program.
