TT-Line�s new Bass Strait passenger and passenger vehicle vessels, Spirit of Tasmania I and II, arrived in Victoria today (14 August 2002).

Built in Finland in 1998, the identical 194-metre-long vessels were purchased by the Tasmanian Government for $290 million and will operate a daily service between Port Melbourne and Devonport on Tasmania�s north-west coast.

Purchased from Superfast Ferries which operated the vessels between Greece and Italy, their journey from the Island of Syros in Greece to Melbourne began in early July.

The vessels travelled through the Suez Canal, across the Indian Ocean to Colombo and on to Fremantle before finally heading to Tasmania.

The vessels departed the Port of Hobart yesterday after a two week stay.

Captain Jim Lewis, the Master of Spirit of Tasmania II, said the ship was the finest vessel he had commanded.

Captain Lewis, who has Captained all of TT-Line�s Devil Cats and has been a Captain on the current Bass Strait passenger and passenger vehicle ship Spirit of Tasmania for the past four-and-a-half-years, said the new vessels were �first-class�.

�Their stability, power and manoeuvrability are excellent,� he said.

Captain Lewis said the vessels encountered similar weather conditions on the journey from Europe as those often experienced on Bass Strait during the winter months.

�There is no doubt that these vessels are perfectly suited to operating on Bass Strait,� he said.

�The comfort of passengers on board will be second to none.�

TT-Line Chief Executive Peter Simmons said the introduction of the new Spirits on 1 September would trigger renewed interest in sea travel between mainland Australia and Tasmania.

�Under the two vessel service, a ship will depart Devonport in Tasmania�s north west and Port Melbourne daily at 9pm and arrive the following morning at 7am,� he said.

�As a result, passengers will not need to book so far in advance to travel by sea on Bass Strait.

�In addition, during the peak summer season the vessels will operate two crossings per day and will depart at 9pm and arrive at 6am, before departing again at 9am and arriving at 6pm.�

The identical vessels, which are bigger and faster than the current Spirit of Tasmania, are licensed to carry 1,400 passengers and up to 650 passenger vehicles.

Following a successful open day in Hobart at the weekend, the ships will be open at Station Pier, Port Melbourne, on Saturday 17 August and Sunday 18 August between 10am and 4pm.

Mr Simmons said about 30,000 Tasmanians had inspected the new ships at the Port of Hobart open day.

�While it is difficult to predict how many people will look over the ships over the two days they are open in Melbourne, we are expecting many people to take up the invitation,� he said.

�TT-Line held a highly successful open day on the current Spirit of Tasmania in Melbourne two years ago which attracted more than 10,000 people and raised $15,000 for local charities.

�This time we are opening two brand new vessels to the public for the first time so we expect interest to be high.�

Mr Simmons said TT-Line was working closely with the Rotary Club of Brighton North, Tourism Tasmania, Drysdale (a Tasmanian hospitality training organisation) and Tasmania�s three regional tourism associations to host a �Tasmanian Destination Experience� to showcase the ships and the diversity of experiences Tasmania offered as a holiday destination.

Rotary will charge an entry fee of $5 for a family (maximum six people) or $2 for adults. Children over 10 will pay $1 while children under 10 are free. All funds raised will go toward Rotary charities.

Disabled access to both vessels will be provided on the day.

For further information contact:

Simone Ferrier Spirit of Tasmania Tel: 0417 540 583

Kylie Holandsjo Spirit of Tasmania Tel: 9206 6220

Released by:

Nicolas Turner Tel: 0418 538 865