Yesterday, Sunday 23 August 2026 the new ferry called The Spirit of Tasmania 1V arrived to it's home port in Devonport, Tasmania about 1 hours drive from home, Launceston, Tasmania. It is now berthed in the Mersey River, Devonport for a trial run to see if all fitted! The ferry sails between Devonport and Geelong in Victoria across Bass Strait some 459 kms (285 miles).
The river isn't that wide it's about 200 to 300 meters (656 to 984 feet) from one side to the other.
Our Great nephew A in his early 30's (his parents I mentioned in the post before last) was the Pilot of the Pilot boat that guided the ferry into the river and berth. He is the Harbour Pilot and he had been a Captain of a ship previously for a few years before taking on his current position.
Some photos I borrowed from the Internet, the remainder his Grandmother sent me (my husband's sister) of Sunday's morning happenings in Devonport.
A, with Pilot written on his clothes in the Pilot boat.
Amazing how the ferry fits into it's mooring backing into it, and of course it has to turn around to do this.
The Spirit of Tasmania 1V and there is another called The Spirit of Tasmania V, this latter one will arrive later, as the ships cross in the night one of course going to Geelong in Victoria and the other coming to Devonport, Tasmania.
The ferry is built to carry up to 1,400 passengers and 500 vehicles per crossing across Bass Strait. The ships were built in Rauma, Finland.
A, in the Bridge of the ferry and I don't know how come he was there. I suppose because he can.
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