Loving It

Jacinta Cooper

TONY HYDE, cook, ex Navy, has been with the Spirit III since January. "It's an excellent ship. The working conditions, the pay, the people the comradeship -- a nice job."

NIAL FRENCH, steward, Tasmania: {It's my first time on the Spirit, I've never been to Sydney before. I plan to stay for the long term -- as long as they will have me.|

JACINTA COOPER, steward with TT Line since October: "It's very much a family atmosphere on this ship."

BARRY HIBBARD, 61-year-old steward, has been everything from a sailor, concert promoter and guesthouse owner. He celebrated his first birthday at sea on the trip back down to Devonport in May. "I love being at sea, the motion of the ship, I love the crew and I love the passengers. The energy from all my young colleagues is tremendous. It keeps me young."

NICOLA HANSON, supervisor, two years with TT Line and part time university student: "I'm casual but everyone seems to be moving up at the moment. I like being out at sea with the elements I like it when it gets rough. It's something I have never experienced anywhere else."

JO TITE,steward: "It's lots of fun. Would I like to be permanent? Absolutely!"

GEORGA SHELVERTON, steward: "We just love it here. But we'd like a permanent job. "

AHMAD REEVE, 21, steward: "This is my first time on the Spirit and my first job ever. I'd never say no to a pay rise. I love this ship. It's heaps of fun."

VAL PARSONS, Tasmania: "We get more regular hours. On the Spirit I and II you only have a couch to sleep on. You get a proper sleep on this ship."

DANNY GOLDFARB, Chief IR: "I was on the Spirit I where all the work was done on the EBA. It was the crew members on the Spirit I and II who got the Spirit III up and, fingers crossed, we'll get enough passengers and freight to keep it going."