Position display error involving Spirit of Tasmania 1, off Point Lonsdale, Victoria, on 15 October 2026

Summary

The ATSB is investigating a position display error involving the Australian-flagged roll-on/roll-off passenger ship, Spirit of Tasmania 1, off Point Lonsdale, Victoria, on 15 October 2026.

At 0250 local time on 15 October, the ship was about 1.2 nautical miles southwest of Point Lonsdale, on approach to Port Phillip Heads.

At 0253, the ship commenced a starboard turn to align with the Great Ship Channel leading lights marking the entrance to Port Phillip. During the turn, the master observed that the ship’s position relative to the leading lights did not correspond with the position displayed on the electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS). The ship crossed the channel centreline and continued westward, although the ECDIS indicated that it was correctly positioned.

At 0255, the master observed the ship crossing the western boundary of the Outer Western Channel. The master aborted the entry at 0256 and initiated a turn to port, advising Lonsdale vessel traffic service (VTS) of their intentions.

Subsequent checks identified a positional offset in the ECDIS, which was reset at 0300. The corrected display showed the ship approximately 500 metres from the nearest navigable waters southwest of Point Lonsdale.

Following navigational equipment checks and clearance from VTS, the ship resumed its inbound passage.

The ATSB has commenced gathering evidence from relevant parties for analysis.

A final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety message be identified at any time during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify the operators of the ship, and other relevant parties so that appropriate and timely safety action can be taken.