A Tasmanian man has been arrested after an incident that forced the Spirit of Tasmania to abort its evening sailing just minutes after leaving Devonport.
The ferry had travelled only about 50 metres from port when the captain turned back due to a disturbance involving a lone male passenger on the 6:45pm service to Geelong.
The man, aged in his mid-30s, was isolated in an area aboard the Spirit as the vessel returned to port.
Tasmania Police were waiting when the ferry docked at approximately 7.30pm.
“A Tasmanian man, aged in his mid-30s, was safely taken into custody,” police said in a statement.
The incident caused “some property damage” but no passengers were injured during the disturbance.
The Spirit of Tasmania later resumed its scheduled sailing to the Port of Geelong after the man was removed from the vessel.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
