1998–2002: Superfast IV

The Superfast IV entered service on 1 April 1998 on Superfast Ferries' Patras to Ancona service.^[1] In March 2002 the Superfast IV was sold to TT-Line.

2002 Onwards: Spirit of Tasmania I

TT-Line took over its new ship at Patras on May 10th, 2002.^[1] The ship was then sailed to the Neorion ship yard on the island of Syros for painting and general overhaul. She was renamed Spirit of Tasmania I.^[1] She subsequently sailed to Hobart, Tasmania, where she was refitted for her new service. On September 1st, 2002 she entered service on TT-Line's Melbourne to Devonport service.^[1]

On the night of September 18th, 2002, large waves and an indicator on the bridge indicating an issue with the bow door forced the ship back to Melbourne. This decision was announced at midnight. It was found that the problem with the bow door was due to a blocked drain. Spirit of Tasmania I departed again the next morning at approximately 6:30 AM, in even rougher conditions than the previous night. Waves reached up to 7 or 8 metres. She finally arrived in Devonport at around 5:00 PM.

In 2015 she was refurbished in Devonport.^[4][5]

2005 event

During the night of 3 to 4 February 2005 Spirit of Tasmania I ran into heavy seas in the Bass Strait while sailing from Melbourne to Devonport. At approximately 02:00 the seas reached a height of 20 metres.^[1] The seas smashed cabin windows on the starboard bow and subsequently cabin walls were smashed down, flooding cabin decks as high as deck 9 (the deck under the bridge). Many passengers were unaware of the cause of water in their cabins as the water disabled the public announcement system. The captain decided it best to return to Melbourne, arriving mid morning to heavy media coverage. The ship remained in port overnight for temporary repairs and sailed again the following evening for Devonport.^[6]