Maiden voyage of rubbish raft put on hold by authorities - but captain's hope still afloat

The maiden voyage of a raft made of marine rubbish has been scuttled by Tasmanian authorities, but the creator says he hasn't given up his hopes to set sail.

McLennan says he wouldn't have been planning to set sail if he didn't think it was safe. Source: SBS News / Kerrin Thomas

Samuel McLennan has spent years building a raft made entirely of rubbish, planning to sail it from Hobart to Sydney to highlight issues with marine pollution.

"We've spent two years building and rebuilding this vessel thousands of times, with all our ocean experience," he said.

"We've been in big storms on oceans and bring all that experience into constructing this vessel."

But his plans have hit a hurdle, with the maritime safety authority in Tasmania de-registering his vessel.

The vessel is made of a range of marine debris scavenged from the shoreline around Hobart. Source: SBS News / Kerrin Thomas

Marine and Safety Tasmania initially provided registration for McLennan's vessel, which he's named 'Heart' but mid-way through last month, they cancelled it.

In a letter explaining the cancellation, it said "undertaking an ocean voyage on the raft would be foolhardy and could put other lives at risk."

"In MAST's opinion the craft is unsafe and incapable of making way into any light to moderate headwind or sea conditions and may endanger the lives of those aboard," the letter said.

"MAST would consider re-registration if written confirmation, from a qualified Marine Surveyor or Naval Architect that the craft is capable of undertaking the voyage for which is was designed is received".

The authority said it's yet to receive this written confirmation.

But McLennan said he wouldn't have been planning to set sail if he didn't think it was safe.

"My life is on the line here, to go across the ocean," he said.

McClennan pictured inside the boat's cabin. Source: SBS News / Kerrin Thomas

The boat was lowered into the water by helicopter mid-way through last year and McLennan said since then it had been performing well.

"I talked about this with my team and we actually have evidence from our sea trials where we can make way in strong conditions and we feel this vessel is safe and ready for ocean passage," he said.

The vessel is made of a range of marine debris scavenged from the shoreline around Hobart – which McLennan said includes pipes from fish farms, oyster bags, and ropes and line from fishing.

The only purchased items are a single tube of silicone to patch up a hole in a buoy and safety equipment including comms and navigation.

For now, McLennan's plans to set sail are on hold but he remains hopeful of securing registration and setting off for Sydney.