New cruiser named . . . eventually

THE West Coast’s sleek new cruise vessel has been officially named – at the third time of asking – ahead of its maiden passenger voyage on the Gordon River next month.

The RACT’s new Gordon River Cruises vessel, Spirit of the Wild, was officially named by Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner at a ceremony in Hobart yesterday.

It took three attempts, but Prof Warner eventually smashed the sacrificial bottle of champagne on the 33.3-metre, multimilliondollar vessel.

Spirit of the Wild, which was built in Hobart by Richardson Devine Marine, can seat 192 passengers and eight crew members.

Captain and Gordon River Cruises manager Paul Brown is looking forward to its maiden passenger voyage.

“It’s been a long process, but it’s very exciting to finally have Spirit of the Wild officially named, and very shortly we will be commencing our commercial operations in Strahan. Early June is our plan,” he said.

Spirit of the Wild will replace the 12-year-old Lady Jane Franklin II.

It is believed to be the first commercial passenger vessel of its size in the southern hemisphere to be fitted with both diesel and electric motors.

RACT Group chief executive Harvey Lennon said the visitor economy was becoming increasingly important to Tasmania and cutting-edge attractions like Spirit of the Wild helped keep the state ahead of the curve.

“We need to keep innovating in terms of the experiences we’re offering in this state,” Mr Lennon said.