UPDATE: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 11:17 a.m. AEDT: The Spirit of Tasmania was secured on Tuesday evening, some passengers disembarked while others opted to stay in the ferry's accommodation overnight.
"The vast majority of passengers scheduled to board Spirit of Tasmania II for the voyage to Devonport last night were accommodated on the vessel and were provided with complimentary food and beverages," the company said in a statement.
The Spirit of Tasmania, a large Australian ferry, has broken from its moorings and smashed into a Melbourne pier.
Passengers and crew were stranded inside the boat for an hour before the boat was secured and they could disembark from the vehicle. Witnesses posted photos on social media as the dramatic event unfolded at Port Melbourne.
In the late afternoon, a severe weather warning was announced for Melbourne, following a day of 42 degree Celsius (108 degree Fahrenheit) heat. A dust storm was also spotted edging closer to the city around the time the ferry broke from its hold. It is believed the strong winds caused the incident.
"Spirit of Tasmania’s boarding / departing ramp at Station Pier has been damaged due to severe winds in the Port Melbourne area," a spokesperson said in a statement emailed to Mashable Australia. "Spirit of Tasmania II is now secured alongside Station Pier in Port Melbourne."
The ferry can hold 1400 passengers and 1000 cars for its trip between Melbourne, in mainland Australia, and the island, Tasmania.
The ship is now secured alongside Station Pier. We can confirm passengers and crew are safe. Further updates to follow.— Spirit of Tasmania (@SpiritofTas) January 13, 2016
Spirit of Tasmania in strife at Port Melbourne @SevenNewsroom pic.twitter.com/j78OYmbVmK— Laura Stapleton (@LauraStap) January 13, 2016
Spirit of Tasmania broke its moorings in the wild weather. Flew over it on #JQ971. @sunriseon7 #sun7 @7NewsMelbourne pic.twitter.com/9DXqBuEGMd— Matt Tinney (@Matt_Tinney) January 13, 2016
#Spirit #Tasmania #Melbourne #Ferry @9NewsAUS @9NewsMelb @7NewsMelbourne @BBCBreaking pic.twitter.com/R1eZUJoX15— Deborah Jane (@DJPhotography5) January 13, 2016
Spirit of tasmania broken mooring lines and crashed in pier. Yes it is at right angles to where it should be pic.twitter.com/9j8RAfSn5i— Geoff O'Callaghan (@mrpointy) January 13, 2016
Looks like @SpiritofTas blown onto South Melbourne beach. @theage water police and fire brigade has arrived. pic.twitter.com/QuwPdX5WRy— Heath Kilgour (@heathster) January 13, 2016
Damage to car bridge on Spirit of Tasmania @abcnewsMelb pic.twitter.com/eNnyLXwKgI— Tracee Hutchison (@traceehutch) January 13, 2016
#Spirit of #Tasmania being pushed back by tugs after breaking moorings in wind #Melbourne #news pic.twitter.com/th4NyIjHG1— Christopher Jones (@ghrd) January 13, 2016