Victoria Police will prepare a report for the coroner after a 45-year-old Ballarat man went overboard on the Spirit of Tasmania I shortly before midnight on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Search efforts were suspended after medical experts advised Australian Maritime Safety Authority that the man could not have survived past 12pm because of the water temperature and weather conditions.
Witnesses reported seeing the man go overboard into the Bass Strait about 124 kilometres south of Melbourne.
The ship halted its journey to Devonport, turned around and began searching for the man.
At 12.10am on Saturday, AMSA 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.
“The Spirit of Tasmania II, along with two cargo ships, Sea Road Mersey and Victorian Reliance assisted Spirit of Tasmania I with the search this morning before continuing on their voyages about 8am.”
Victoria Water Police continued to assist with the search until around midday on Saturday.
Four helicopters and AMSA’s dedicated search and rescue plane from Melbourne joined the search from first light.
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority
A 247-square kilometre area was searched.
Victoria Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.
Tasmania Police was assisting with the investigation.
TT-Line Company spokesperson said the Spirit of Tasmania I arrived in Devonport at 2.15pm, six hours later than originally scheduled.
Voyages scheduled for Sunday would not be affected.