Passenger Death (overboard) on Spirit of Tasmania 2 ferry on 30 April 2023

On 30 April 2023, a male passenger went overboard and was reported missing from the Spirit of Tasmania 2 ferry while en route from Geelong, Victoria to Devonport, Tasmania. Shortly after 8:00 pm local time, the vessel reversed course and initiated a search and rescue operation following an onboard headcount. The passenger's body was recovered from the waters off Geelong at approximately 8:50 pm. The death was not treated as suspicious.

The Spirit of Tasmania 2 is a 1,400-passenger cruise ferry operated by TT-LINE Tasmania. The incident prompted an immediate response from maritime authorities and rescue services in Victorian waters.

Following the report of a passenger overboard, the master immediately reversed course and initiated a search and rescue operation. An onboard census was conducted to confirm the missing passenger. The vessel's crew coordinated with maritime authorities to locate and recover the passenger's body from the waters off Geelong. Recovery operations were completed by 8:50 pm the same evening.

Fatalities

• 1 male passenger (overboard).

Injuries

• None reported.

Rescued

• Passenger's body recovered from the water at approximately 8:50 pm.

Upon notification of the overboard incident, the Spirit of Tasmania 2 immediately reversed course and initiated search and rescue operations. Maritime authorities in Victoria were notified and coordinated the recovery effort. The vessel's crew conducted a full headcount to confirm the missing passenger and assisted in locating the body in the waters off Geelong.

The passenger's death was determined not to be suspicious. The vessel continued operations following the incident. No further details regarding investigation or service disruption were reported in available sources.