Australian Maritime Safety Authority has suspended the search for a 45-year-old Ballarat man who went overboard during the Spirit of Tasmania I’s voyage from Melbourne to Devonport. 

EARLIER:

A 45-year-old man fell off the Spirit of Tasmania II into the Bass Strait shortly before midnight on Friday. 

Witnesses reported seeing the man fall into the water about 124 km south of Melbourne. 

The ship turned around to search for the passenger but was unable to find him. 

At 12.10am on Saturday, Australian Maritime Safety Authority Search and Rescue was advised of the incident and deployed two helicopters with night searching capabilities, including the Victoria Police Air Wing. 

“Four helicopters and AMSA’s dedicated search and rescue plane from Melbourne joined the search from first light,” a statement released by AMSA said. 

Victoria Water Police will continue to assist with the search on Saturday. 

TT-Line said the estimated arrival time for Spirit of Tasmania II into Melbourne is 12pm and for Spirit of Tasmania I into Devonport is 2.15pm.

“Tonight’s sailings from Melbourne and Devonport will operate as scheduled,” a statement from TT-Line said. 

“If, in the unlikely event, there are any changes to tonight’s sailing schedule, we will notify passengers directly via SMS or email.”

The ship was on its way to Devonport from Melbourne. 

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