TT-Line investigates a navigation-equipment fault on Spirit of Tasmania I

ABC News reported on 20 October 2026 that TT-Line has launched an investigation after a navigational issue on Spirit of Tasmania I as the ship approached the Victorian coast. Track maps in the report show the ship heading for Geelong in the early hours of Thursday morning when it went off its standard route and made a U-turn close to Point Lonsdale. The image caption dates that track to the morning of 15 October.

TT-Line said in a statement: “As the vessel was preparing to transit through Port Phillip Heads … the master identified an issue with the ship's navigation equipment.” The statement continues: “As a precaution, the vessel returned to open water to reset the system before proceeding.” It says: “The reset was successfully completed and the vessel arrived safely at the Port of Geelong, approximately 20 minutes behind schedule.”

Chris Carbone, TT-Line’s chief executive, said safety was the company’s “number one priority” and that “The company is fully investigating the occurrence and has commenced an independent review to better understand the circumstances.” TT-Line said a report was made to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which is standard practice for incidents of this nature, and that it elected to have a pilot on board the ship the following evening. AMSA said the incident was reported by the operator that day and that it was “working with TT-Line to establish what occurred and what corrective action is required.” ABC News said it is not yet known whether the issue was a technical fault or human error.