Fed: Spirit of Tasmania sails from Sydney for last time

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2006
Fed: Spirit of Tasmania sails from Sydney for last time

By Alyssa Braithwaite

SYDNEY, Aug 27 AAP - Many Tasmanians were starting to feel a little more isolated again
today as the iconic Spirit of Tasmania III set out on its last voyage from Sydney.

The gleaming red ferry, which plied the Sydney-to-Devonport route for three years,
has been sold off by the Tasmanian government to Mediterranean operator Corsica Ferries.

It fetched $111 million in July, less than a month after the government decided to
ditch the loss-making service and put the vessel on the market.

Among the Tasmanians on board for the final trip to the island state were Robin and
Albert Nichols, from St Helens, who said the decision to scrap the ferry had made Tasmanians
once more feel a bit more detached.

"We're not very happy of course because we live in Tasmania and that makes us isolated,"

Ms Nichols said.

"I think it's a mistake and I think lots of Tasmanians think it's a mistake."

"A lot of people just didn't know about it (the service),".

Warren Smith, of the Maritime Union of Australia, reckoned it's a sad day for all concerned.

"The vessel became an iconic part of Sydney's working harbour, and I think it's another
blow to Sydney," Mr Smith said.

"It was also a great contributor to the broader NSW economy (and) I think it's removal
will be felt in a number of areas outside those who were working on the vessel itself."

Many of the passengers who boarded 'Spirit' today said they were feeling a bit dispirited.

"It is a shame really, because we've come up now twice from Tassie, and it saves a
lot of travelling on the road," said Patrick Larson.

"We'll probably have a bit of a party, I reckon," he said.

"If they don't supply us with free drink we'll be buying anyway."

The government-owned operator of the ferry, TT-Line, said most of the crew would join
other ferries while a few had taken voluntary redundancy.

But crew member Barry Hibbard is taking it hard.

"I'm really sorry that it's finishing, I've enjoyed my time at sea," Mr Hibbard said.

"I've worked for them for almost three years and we've met some wonderful passengers."

He said the ship's crew would have their own celebration in Devonport.

"I don't doubt that the passengers will celebrate, but ... our celebrations will have
to be on-shore after we get back to Devonport," he said.

"I think after we've discharged the passengers and cleaned the ship and prepared it
for its voyage to Corsica, we'll probably go ashore and have a lemonade or two."

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