Samuel Mclennan is taking the saying ‘one man’s trash, is another man’s treasure’ to a whole new level, as he launches Project Interrupt and sets sail in a literal junk boat from Hobart to Sydney.

 

The Tassie local has spent 18 months building a raft made entirely from rubbish and waste found on Tasmania’s coastline and waterways. The skeletal structure of the vessel, named Heart, was built with industrial piping from salmon farms, while rope from fishing nets was used to make a hammock. The sail has been made from oyster bags and large black rubber bands found near oyster farms. 

 

 

Project Interrupt aims to spread awareness about how our actions impact the environment. The name was chosen because Mclennan believes we need an interruption to our current ways of thinking, speaking, and acting. 

‘I’m sure you’ve all heard that you are your own worst enemy’, he says. ‘So part of this project is teaching people how to interrupt themselves so they can be the best version of themselves.’ 

From Hobart to Sydney by Junk Boat

Mclennan’s currently on the ship’s maiden voyage from Hobart to Sydney, with stops at coastal towns to showcase what a powerful mindset looks like. 

 

 

‘I’ve created a home and sailing vessel with little money and now I’m cruising around, cleaning up the planet, connecting with lots of beautiful people, and encouraging and empowering others,’ he says.

McIennan expects the 1170km journey from Hobart to Sydney to take up to a year. He’s spent the last three months making his way up Tasmania’s East Coast to Saint Helens, where he’s recently received the green light from Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) to embark on the most dangerous leg of the journey thus far – crossing the Bass Strait, a notoriously dangerous body of water that separates mainland Australia and Tasmania.

‘When the next weather window presents, we’ll attempt to cross the infamous Bass Strait’, Mclennan says. ‘It’ll take about two months for the crossing as we’re taking a route that involves island hopping.’

En-route he plans to stop to clean up rubbish, connect with other inhabitants, inspire people, have fun, and explore.

 

 

Despite the inherent danger of the crossing, Heart has already held up in 5-7m seas and 50 knot winds along the East Coast of Tasmania. 

‘I think it was the worst night of my life’, said Samuel. ‘About 50kts and easily 5-7m waves and I would’ve got pushed onto the rocks at Maria Island by them if I didn’t get up and take evasive action from 11pm to 3am’, he said.

A Growing Team of Interrupters

What started as a one-man mission has already evolved into a team of eight across Heart and two support vessels. Mclennan and his fast-growing flotilla aim to sail into Sydney Harbour with a large fleet of vessels.

The Project Interrupt journey began two years ago, and Mclennan didn’t have a cent to his name nor a roof over his head. With the support of communities around Australia, he’s been able to keep the dream alive. 

If you’d like to support Project Interrupt, you can make a donation to help pay for fuel and food for the long journey ahead. 

Will Samuel, Heart, and the crew make it to Sydney? Follow along on social media (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook) to see how it all unfolds.

 

Images thanks to Samuel Mclennan

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