Australia’s Spirit of Devonport ferry service ceases operations after 160 years

A ferry service that had transported residents of north-west Tasmania, Australia, for over 160 years has ceased its operations.

The Spirit of Devonport lifeline ferry service that had connected east and west Devonport via the Mersey River since 1855 will be discontinued due to a significant decline in passenger numbers as commuters increasingly avail of bus services for travelling to and from the city centre.

The decreasing numbers of ferry passengers “aren’t sustainable” to continue operating the service, said Daniel Head, Tasmanian executive general manager for transport provider Kinetic.

The service’s current ferry is the 37-year-old Torquay, which is in need of replacement. Mr Head said the cost to replace the vessel is estimated at more than AU$250,000 (US$172,000).

Torquay sailed on its final operational trip in May before the onset of winter whereas the announcement of the discontinuation of the service was made earlier this month.

In its final years, the ferry service had been operating on a limited schedule. Sailings were not conducted on Sundays while the service itself was paused during the winter.