Huge swells and high winds made for a rough journey on the Spirit of Tasmania on Tuesday (May 03).
A large semi-trailer was turned on its side and cars smashed together during the journey from Melbourne to Devonport.
On Monday night (May 02), only hours after the Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning for 100km/h winds across much of Victoria and Tasmania, the ship left Melbourne for its scheduled trip across Bass Strait.
A semi-trailer tipped over on the Spirit of Tasmania II on Tuesday. Photo: Facebook
Video filmed on board shows huge swells battering the ship, before the person filming is knocked to the ground. Loud crashes and screams can be heard in the background.
"Had to change my underwear after this, honestly thought it was going to tip over," said the passenger, who posted the footage to YouTube.
Terry Schutz, managing director of South Australian company Tough-As Products, said there was nothing unusual about the trip until the early hours of Tuesday morning.
"The waves were smashing the ship and once or twice the vessel leaned heavily and everything flew off the tables in the rooms.”
"There would have been no one on that ship who was asleep after 5am."
Mr Schutz said he and many other passengers suspected there had been movement on the parking decks and their concerns were realised when the ship docked.
"The cars had just slammed into each other because of how rough it was," he said.
He said his company ute sustained significant scraping on both sides, but faired well compared with other trucks and cars on board.
Another passenger posted photos to Facebook showing the "carnage" below deck.
"That's gonna be one huge insurance claim," he said.
"That's gonna be one huge insurance claim," said one passenger of the carnage below-decks.
A woman, known only as Marie, told to local radio station that people "went flying" when the ship leaned violently sideways.
"All of sudden there was one big wave and we all went sideways," she said.
"There was one poor bloke who was sitting on a seat and went flying off the seat to the other side of the boat."
A Spirit of Tasmania spokeswoman confirmed a number of vehicles had been damaged on the journey from Melbourne to Devonport.
"Both Spirit of Tasmania vessels were delayed into Melbourne and Devonport because of rough weather and high winds," she said.
During the voyage, passengers suspected there had been movement on the parking decks. They were right. Photo: Facebook
"Spirit of Tasmania I was delayed into Melbourne by one hour and Spirit of Tasmania II was delayed by two hours into Devonport.
"Some cargo and passenger vehicles shifted on the overnight crossing from Melbourne to Devonport. Damage to vehicles is still being determined and the company is dealing directly with affected parties.
"No damage to the vessel was recorded."
She said it was business as usual on Wednesday and both vessels were due to depart on schedule.
A Spirit of Tasmania spokeswoman confirmed a number of vehicles had been damaged on the journey from Melbourne to Devonport. Photo: Facebook
A car crushed under a truck on the Spirit of Tasmania. Photo: Facebook
Source: The Age