Spirit of Tasmania I and II departed the Port of Hobart for Station Pier, Port Melbourne, at 11am and 11.20am respectively today (13 August 2002).

The departure from Hobart follows a highly successful two weeks in the Port during which time the vessels were provisioned and Tasmanian contractors completed minor works in preparation for their inaugural 1 September Bass Strait crossing.

Their stay in the capital city port culminated in the weekend�s open day which attracted approximately 30,000 people.

The vessels will be opened to the public in Melbourne on 17 and 18 August when Tourism Tasmania, Drysdale, the three regional tourism associations and TT-Line will host a �Tasmanian Destination Experience� to showcase the ships and the diversity of experiences Tasmania offers as a holiday destination.

Spirit of Tasmania I will return to Tasmania on Saturday 24 August in time for an open day at Devonport on Sunday 25 August.

TT-Line Chief Executive Peter Simmons thanked the people of southern Tasmania for their strong support of the company�s new Bass Strait vessels at the weekend�s open day.

�More than 200 volunteers representing 13 southern Rotary Clubs which helped TT-Line organize and run the open day raised more than $30,000 on the day from the gold coin entry fee it charged, its boarding pass competition and parking fees,� he said.

�This money will be donated to various Rotary charities.�

The charities are Polio Plus, Salvation Army administered community projects, Ronald MacDonald House, Anglicare, Rotary Foundation, Australian Rotary Health and Research Foundation, Streetwork, Red Cross Roadhouse, Cancer Council and other community projects.

Winners of the Rotary International Open Day Lucky Boarding Pass competition were Mr Geoff French of Moonah, who toured Spirit of Tasmania I, and Mrs E Wall from New Norfolk, who toured Spirit of Tasmania II.

Mr Simmons said the vessels would be visible to east coast residents as they travel to Melbourne.

�They will sail as close as possible to the state�s east coast which, weather conditions permitting, should provide a magnificent sight for Tasmanians living on the east coast,� he said.

�ABC Radio will provide updates of the vessels� location throughout the afternoon.�

For further information contact:

Simone Ferrier Manager Corporate Communications Spirit of Tasmania Telephone: 0417 540 583