00:02A scene years in the making, onlookers lining the Mersey River at sunrise to catch the first
00:09of the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels sailing into Devonport.
00:13It probably would have been good to have it earlier but we all have to be proud of it.
00:17I thought the new Spirit would be pretty cool to come in, watch it come in and just compare
00:21the pair to the old one and the new one.
00:24As Spirit of Tasmania 4 neared the berth, the single question was on people's minds.
00:29Yeah, we were pleased that it fits, that's something.
00:32Pleased that it turns around in the river.
00:34It's been a topic of great conversation for a period of time.
00:39We were always very confident, the harbour master was very confident.
00:42The Therese replacement project has been plagued by construction problems, major cost overruns
00:48and extensive delays, including to the infrastructure needed for the larger ships to be able to dock
00:54in their home port.
00:55But despite the troubled lead up, today's milestone was met with all smiles from the government.
01:01It's an emotional experience because this is a significant day for Tasmania.
01:08There has been no bigger investment to carry Tasmania's economy forward.
01:13These new vessels utter in a new dawn of sea travel to our state.
01:19The ship's arrival was welcomed by the opposition, who say after the lengthy wait and budget blowouts,
01:25Tasmanians must get the full benefit of the investment.
01:29The ferry will now undergo further testing here in Devonport over the next two days.
01:33TT Line says it's still on track to begin taking passengers across Bass Strait at the end of October.
01:40Spirit 5 will undergo the same testing in Devonport in September.
01:44It's been a long journey, it's been a long ride and now they're here proving a point.
01:49I can't wait for October.
01:51Out with the old, in with the new.
01:55Out with the old, in with the new.
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