Seacat Tasmania catamaran ferry Port Welshpool 1991

Seacat Tasmania was the Tasmanian built, high speed catamaran that operated as a drive on drive off, and passenger ferry service between Port Welshpool Victoria Australia, and Georgetown on the island state of Tasmania. It operated in the days before the currently operating, two Spirit of Tasmania ferries which each now sail daily between Melbourne and Devonport. The Seacat is shown in this video, reversing out from its terminal at Port Welshpool, turning and departing for Georgetown. After passing down and out of out of Corner inlet, Bass Strait is entered. The route was the shortest to Tasmania which could be reached in about five hours in good conditions. Some of the hills on Wilsons Promontory are visible in the background. The Seacat sailed down the eastern side of the Promontory after exiting Corner Inlet. Wilsons Promontory is the most southern part of the Australian mainland.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Seacat
• Welshpool
• 1991
• port welshpool
• catamaran

[reidgck]

@figjamtaz Thank you for your interesting comments. Must have been exhilerating, perhaps hair raising at times crossing Bass Strait at such a speed. I regret I didn't have the experience but heard it was a bit bumpy on occasions.

[figjamtaz]

My dad was the skipper of it, and it was on average a 4.5 hr trip, and your right in that after the first 2 years on the bass strait run it would then travel to do the English channel crossing, the Abel Tasman was still also running then, and the devil cat was brought in about 5 years after the sea cat finished up but that was only about 2 years I think then in came the 2 spirits we have today, and don't forget that at one stage there were 3 one on the davenport to Sydney run. :) hope that help

[reidgck]

@DoMw94 It was the quick way to Tasmania. That was about the shortest distance as Port Welshpool is neat the most southern point of the mainland. Some of the trips across were more than a bit rough I heard. Unfortunately the service was discontinued some years ago about the time the two Spirit of Tasmania ships were introduced from Melbourne. It only operated in the summer and in the English Channel in the season there I heard. There are more pics at trippleW - nex.net.au/~reidgck/tascat.htm

[DoMw94]

Incredible footage!!! Thank you!