0055/02 13 October 2002 Spirit of Tasmania II A violent squall pulled the new Bass Strait vessel Spirit of Tasmania II from its moorings at Station Pier earlier this evening, when a mooring line parted. Spirit of Tasmania Manager Corporate Simone Ferrier said the vessel was pulled from its moorings at 6.50pm. " The Captain and crew immediately activated the vessels procedures set down for such situations, the vessel was safely returned to its moorings with the assistance of a tug boat," she said. " A vehicle awaiting boarding received some minor damage to its bonnet but there were no injuries suffered by either boarding passengers or crew." Ms Ferrier said an inspection of the vessel by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the ship crew had cleared the vessel to sail, with a departure expected at 10.30pm. The company has launched an investigation into the exact cause of the incident. ends For further information contact: Simone Ferrier Manager Corporate Communications TT-Line Company Pty Ltd Tel: 9206 6220