A routine evening on the water turned into a coordinated rescue mission when a small boat capsized in Corio Bay off Geelong on Sunday night, with assistance from one of Australia’s most recognised passenger ferries.
Emergency services were called to the scene at about 8.20pm after reports a vessel carrying seven people overturned in the bay.
Victoria Police activated a major response, including the Marine Unit, Water Police, Air Wing and local Coast Guard crews.
In a remarkable example of community and maritime cooperation, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry — regularly operating between Geelong and Tasmania — deployed its onboard rescue boats to assist the official services in retrieving all seven people from the water.
Once brought aboard rescue vessels, the individuals were medically assessed at the scene and reported to be in a stable condition.
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the capsize
Why it matters
The incident highlights how large commercial vessels like the Spirit of Tasmania — when already operating nearby — can play a critical support role in maritime emergencies, augmenting efforts by official rescue agencies.
For the Geelong region, this also underlines the ongoing significance of the Spirit’s service: beyond its transport and tourism value, it has become integrated into local maritime activity and safety operations.
