Push to breathe new life into ferry

A FERRY that made 230,000 crossings to and from Bruny Island and carried more than six million vehicles could be getting a new lease on life.

The state government is seeking proposals for the future of the MV Mirambeena, after the vessel was retired earlier this year.

The Launceston-built Mirambeena has been berthed at Prince of Wales Bay in Hobart since being taken out of service in May after more than 30 years of ferrying passengers between Kettering and Roberts Point.

The Mirambeena is a 52-metre roll on-roll off ferry capable of carrying about 70 cars, and is approved to carry up to 400 passengers.

“The proposals could include transfer of ownership for repurposing, for private or commercial use, creative or innovative ideas, or scrapping should no suitable alternative be put forward,” Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said.

“Any private, community or commercial use for the ferry would be on an as-is where-is basis, with any new owner responsible for any costs as well as obtaining and maintaining any licencing or regulatory approvals.”

More information is available at tenders.tas.gov.au, with proposals closing on September 29.