Tasmania ferries to resume after wild storm

Bass Strait ferry services will resume after a ship was badly damaged when it broke its moorings during a wild storm in Melbourne.

A wind gust around 100km/h caused the Spirit of Tasmania II's moorings to snap on Wednesday night, 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.

Passengers on the Spirit of Tasmania II and its sister ship in Devonport remained on board overnight.

TT Line spokesman Nicolas Turner said Spirit of Tasmania I will operate a double sailing schedule on Thursday night which will continue while the other vessel is prepared.

An engineering assessment will also be conducted on the pier, a Port of Melbourne spokesman said.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority may also investigate, he said.