The high speed Devil Cat began its 2001/2002 summer season yesterday (Sunday 16 December 2001), when it departed from George Town at 2.30pm.

The catamaran�s four month sailing schedule, which concludes on 7 April 2002, complements Spirit of Tasmania�s year-round service between Melbourne and Devonport.

Manager Corporate Communications Ms Simone Ferrier said Devil Cat�s capacity to carry nearly 740 passengers and more than 200 passenger vehicles means the vessel is a valuable addition to TT-Line�s peak season Bass Strait service,� she said.

�When you combine this with the year round service provided by our other Bass Strait vessel Spirit of Tasmania, the company has the capacity to carry nearly 750,000 passengers and more than 200,000 cars in a full year.

�The services complement each other, providing greater flexibility for people planning their holidays while at the same time encouraging more people to holiday at home in Australia.�

Ms Ferrier said Devil Cat's departure and arrival times in George Town and Melbourne had been set to meet customer preferences.

Between 15 December 2001 and 18 December, 17 January 2002 and 26 March and 4 April and 7 April, the vessel will depart Melbourne for George Town at 8.30am arriving at 2.30pm, and depart George Town for Melbourne at 2.30pm arriving at 8.30pm. -2-

Between 20 December 2001 and15 January 2002 and 28 March and 2 April 2002, the vessel will depart Melbourne for George Town daily (except Sundays) at 7am arriving at 1pm.

Devil Cat fares will be $180 one-way for an adult fare in the peak season from 15 December 2001 to 27 January 2002, while pensioners will pay $118, seniors and tertiary students $150 and children $103.

One-way shoulder season prices between 28 January 2002 and 7 April 2002 will be adult $150, pensioner $112, seniors and tertiary students $130 and children $95.

Vehicle prices will be the same as those on Spirit of Tasmania � a standard family car will cost from $40 each way in shoulder season and $55 each way in peak season.

The Tasmanian-built Devil Cat, which is capable of speeds of 40 knots or 80 kilometres per hour, will undertake 122 crossings between Station Pier, Port Melbourne and George Town, the Tasmanian home port of the fast ferry.

For further information contact: Simone Ferrier, TT-Line Manager Corporate Communications Telephone: 03 9206 6220/0417 540 583