Steering issue involving Spirit of Tasmania V, off Geelong, Victoria, on 24 October 2026

Summary

The ATSB is investigating a steering issue involving the Australian-flagged roll-on/roll-off passenger ship Spirit of Tasmania V, off Point Henry, Port Phillip, Victoria, on 24 October 2026.

The ship had departed its terminal in Geelong at 1956 under the conduct of a harbour pilot. It was bound for Devonport, Tasmania, with 94 crew and 20 passengers on board and was carrying a cargo of freight vehicles. The voyage, carrying cargo but without fare-paying passengers, was part of the ship's operational testing program in preparation for its full introduction to service a week later with fare-paying passengers.

At about 2030, the ship was being controlled using its autopilot when it reached the junction between the Hopetoun Channel and Wilson Spit Channel to the northeast of Point Henry. The required starboard turn was initiated, but the autopilot responded slow causing a wider than expected turn.

After adjusting the settings, the ship's rate of turn increased with the autopilot subsequently unable to arrest the turn. Steering control was then switched to manual, and port rudder applied to stop the turn. Subsequent attempts to control the ship's heading resulted in increasing heading oscillations from port to starboard, resulting in the ship briefly moving outside the charted shipping channel's southern and northern limits. In order to regain control of the ship's movement, it was then brought to a stop in the Wilson Spit Passing Channel to the south of the shipping channel's limit before resuming its outbound voyage.

The ATSB has commenced an investigation into the incident. As part of the investigation, ATSB investigators attended the ship to collect evidence, which included examining the ship's equipment, interviewing involved personnel, examining records and documentation, and accessing recorded data.

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.