‘Bond’ boat lifts Gordon cruising

THE RACT expects its new Gordon River Cruises vessel — Spirit of the Wild — to drive a 10 per cent increase in passengers wanting to explore one of Tasmania’s prime wild assets.

Already dubbed the “James Bond boat” by some in the Tasmanian tourism industry, the vessel will depart on its first commercial voyage on June 16.

Yesterday, the vessel was welcomed to its home port of Strahan and cruised up Macquarie Harbour to Hell’s Gates to mark the occasion.

On board, RACT group chief executive Harvey Lennon said he expected bookings to increase by 8 to 10 per cent.

Last year, 30,000 visitors took the cruise down the Gordon River aboard the former vessel Lady Jane Franklin, which had plied the route for the past 12 years.

That vessel has been sold and will be used by a tourism venture in Queensland.

While the former vessel had more seats than the Spirit of the Wild’s 182, Mr Lennon said he expected more to line up to take the voyage in luxury.

“The West Coast is enjoying something of a resurgence and we are glad to be playing our part in that,” Mr Lennon said.

“Our improved Gordon River offering has been enhanced by TasPorts’ redevelopment of the Strahan wharf precinct. It is the perfect entree to our cruising experience.”

Spirit of the Wild was built by Prince of Wales Bay ship- builder Richardson Devine Marine.

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

This means the vessel will be quieter and have less vi- bration than the Lady Jane Franklin.

It also has floor-to-ceiling windows and a 360-degree view rooftop deck.

Mr Lennon would not reveal the precise cost of the vessel but said it was worth several million dollars.