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- Tasmania’s ‘Little Blue Boat’ returns to the water in Franklin
One of Tasmania’s most recognisable boats will return to the water this Wednesday, following an extensive community restoration at the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin.
Sea Breeze, affectionately known as the Little Blue Boat, will be relaunched at the Wooden Boat Centre on Wednesday 12 August at 11.00 am, almost two years after severe storms tore the vessel from its moorings at Montrose Bay.
For around 50 years, the distinctive blue boat was a familiar sight beside Hobart’s Brooker Highway. Built in the early 1970s by respected Tasmanian boatbuilder Robin Attrill, Sea Breeze became an unofficial landmark for generations of Tasmanians.
That changed on 27 August 2024 when a severe storm ripped the boat from its moorings and left it badly damaged on rocks beside the Montrose boardwalk.
After community members helped recover the vessel, the Wooden Boat Centre became its new custodian for the symbolic sum of $1 and began the considerable task of bringing it back to life.
A community restoration
Over the past year, hundreds of volunteer hours have gone into restoring Sea Breeze, supported by donations from the community, local businesses, students and apprentices.
Working alongside the Centre’s experienced shipwrights, boatbuilding students, apprentices and volunteers have repaired the hull, replaced structural components and decking, stripped decades of paint and prepared the vessel for its return to the Huon River.
Sustainable Timbers donated replacement timber, International Paints supplied paint and a private donor funded a replacement engine. The community was even invited to choose Sea Breeze’s new colour, with Bondi Blue selected through an online vote.
Wooden Boat Centre Lead Shipwright Cody Horgan said the restoration had become much more than simply repairing a boat.
“Sea Breeze has become much more than a boat restoration. She represents what can be achieved when a community comes together to save something that means so much to so many people.”
The next chapter
Wednesday’s relaunch is an important milestone, but work on Sea Breeze is not yet finished.
Final fit-out and restoration of the mast will continue while the vessel is moored behind the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin, ahead of plans to present the fully restored boat at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in February 2027.
The Centre is also seeking expressions of interest from not-for-profit organisations interested in becoming Sea Breeze’s long-term custodian, ideally allowing the vessel to remain in southern Tasmania.
The relaunch carries added significance following the recent passing of Sea Breeze’s builder, Robin Attrill, with members of the Attrill family invited to attend.
Community members can continue supporting the remaining restoration work through donations, including Tasmania’s Recycle Rewards scheme by selecting “Bottles for a Little Blue Boat” when returning eligible containers.
Sea Breeze relaunch
Date: Wednesday 12 August 2026
Time: 11.00 am
Location: Wooden Boat Centre, Franklin
Attendance: Members of the public are welcome
The relaunch is weather dependent, with visitors encouraged to check the Wooden Boat Centre’s website for updates before attending.
