Final moments of man who fell off Spirit of Tasmania ship

May 2024 · 2 minute read

Disturbing new details have emerged following the death of a man who fell overboard while travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania.

The ferry company which transports passengers between mainland Australia and Tasmania, was forced to turn one of its ships around on Sunday evening after the sounding of the alarm that a passenger was missing.

The vessel was on its way to Tasmania following its departure from Geelong when the incident occurred.

The body of a 46-year-old man, from Cheltenham, southeast Melbourne, was later found at about 8.50pm off the coast of Geelong – almost two hours after he boarded the vessel at Geelong dock.

Witnesses say he spent his final moments standing on the top deck of the boat “looking on edge and agitated”.

“My dad said he was looking a bit on edge or agitated … and changing seats constantly,” one man who did not want to be identified told Daily Mail Australia.

He said passengers who saw the victim’s final moments were in varying states of “shock and disbelief”.

The vessel did not resume its journey to Devonport; instead it returned to Geelong where it arrived around 10.50pm.

It then headed to Tasmania later, arriving the following morning at 11.40am.

“The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

News.com.au has contacted Spirit of Tasmania for further comment.

The tragedy comes just days after Brisbane man Warwick Tollemache, 35, fell overboard while on a Royal Caribbean ship bound for Hawaii.

Mr Tollemache was holidaying with his mother on the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship when he fell into the water at about 11pm on Wednesday, 1400km south of the island’s coast.

Search and rescue efforts were called off on Friday, leaving the man’s family devastated with his partner Celine La Roche posting a touching tribute to social media.

“I love you, always have and always will. RIP my love,” she wrote.

Mr Tollemache’s deeply saddened family also released a statement.

More Coverage

“Our family is heartbroken at the loss of our beloved Warwick,” they said.

“He was a kind, beautiful, and gentle soul who was adored by everyone who knew him.

“He will be deeply missed. “We kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your understanding.”

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ706uYr52cZMGzrdWeo2atoJmutbHSaKCnm5mZsq%2FA0mifmqqipMSqusZmnaKmkaF6rrvMnqWtq12ks265wKdksKCfYrOmuMtmpq%2Bdope8or7DaKWer6NiwLW70bJma2uTZ4WmssJvbZ%2BdYWd%2FpH3CaZqcbpKasHexkp5vam8%3D