Ferry services to and from Tasmania are in turmoil after a severe storm caused one of TT Line's two vessels to break its moorings in Melbourne, badly damaging its vehicle ramp.
A wind gust around 100km/h caused the Spirit of Tasmania II's moorings to snap, swinging the ship 90 degrees from the side of Station Pier, buckling the "sky bridge" ramp between the shore and the ship's vehicle hold.
Witness Tahli Evans was working at nearby D'Lish Fish when the accident happened.
"I heard this massive 'crack' and when I turned around, I saw the ship was parallel to the shore," she told AAP.
Ms Evans said workers are trying to repair the damage and passengers remain on board.
TT Line spokesman Nicolas Turner said all passengers and crew are safe, but it's not clear when ferry services between the mainland and Tasmania will resume.
"The vessel will not sail to Devonport tonight. Passengers can stay on board overnight and are being offered complimentary food and refreshments," he said in a statement.
With vehicles unable to enter or leave the ship, the Spirit of Tasmania I will remain tied up in Devonport overnight pending an engineering assessment on Thursday.
"Once that damage has been assessed a decision will be made as to whether the vessel will sail out of Devonport," Mr Turner said.
An engineering assessment will also be conducted on the moorings on the pier, a Port of Melbourne spokesman said.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority may also investigate, he said.
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