Tell me, Mr McLennan, what is it like to sail a boat made of marine litter?
To be honest, it was quite scary at first. At first, I ventured out onto the water cautiously for a few short test runs. Step by step, I then went out in stronger winds and rougher seas. In this way, I developed a better and better feel for the boat and realised under which conditions it could be steered best.
Your boat is made of fishing rubbish and flotsam. How are you getting on with it?
For example, I use sails made from old tarpaulins that I cut to size. Alternatively, I also have an outboard motor. However, most of the time I sail before the wind - partly because the centreboards don't really work. So I wait for the wind to push me in the right direction - and then I set off.
"I have learnt my limits"
How quickly are you making progress?
It's a very slow boat. On average, I travel at two and a half to three knots. My record was 5.6 knots. However, I probably had two knots of current.
How seaworthy is your marine litter boat?
The strongest conditions I've ever sailed in were almost 50 knots and five to seven metres of sea. That night, I was afraid of being smashed against the cliffs in the south of Tasmania. Thanks to the outboard motor, I was just able to keep clear. That took the wind out of my sails for the time being. However, I learnt my limits better as a result.
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How did you come up with this unusual idea?
Originally, I wanted to convert a ferry that had been decommissioned by the state with space for around a hundred vehicles into an island with a restaurant, bar and seminar rooms. I would have offered coaching courses there, which I used to give professionally. But the government turned me down and had the ferry scrapped.
I complained to my father. But he just said: "Why don't you build your innovation island out of waste from fish farms? There's enough of that." For him it was a casual remark - for me it was the start of the project.
First I got a buoy from an old oyster farm from an acquaintance, then I asked others for usable marine litter and started searching along the coast myself. Step by step, new paths opened up and more and more material turned up.
A boat made from the remains of fish and mussel farms
How did you manage to build a boat from this marine rubbish?
It was a process; I had to try out a lot. It also took patience: three steps forward, two steps back. I found materials from fish or mussel farms, fishing or sports boats. They had never been put together before.
The problem was that I couldn't find any nuts, screws, nails or straps. Initially, I lashed the individual parts together with ropes that I found. But the worst thing would have been for these straps to come loose and the boat to fall apart in a storm. Eventually I came up with the idea of fitting the tubes together.
Did you have a template or a construction plan?
No, nothing like that. That wouldn't have worked either, because I work with unknown materials and unknown quantities.
I had to play around with the materials until I had the feeling that they formed a structure that floats on the sea.
It helped that I had already done a lot of sailing and surfing before. So I knew how powerful the ocean is and what the boat has to withstand.
From the idea to the boat: how long did it take?
I planned with three months. In the end, it took two years. Fortunately, the owner of the land on which I was building the boat was on my side. There was a small lake there where I could test whether my constructions floated. For weeks, I stood in the chest-deep water for hours, connecting oyster racks together. It took several attempts before I found a shape that gave me confidence. Eventually it became a raft with a pointed nose.
More extraordinary sailing projects:
Understanding the oceans for greater safety on board
How long has the boat been in the water?
Then it was moored for even longer and I had to build the cabin, fit the outboard motor and sails and install the electrics.
How much technology have you installed on your boat?
I have a 200-watt solar panel and a 120 Ah lithium battery on board - enough for the radio, occasional phone and laptop charging and interior lighting. A new addition is Starlink, as there is no mobile phone coverage in Bass Strait and parts of the Victorian waters to receive weather data. I also use a small drill, a toolbox, a 12V fridge and have surfboards with me.
Surfboards?
Yes, I love experiencing the ocean and going surfing. Understanding the ocean and how it works plays a big role. I utilise the currents, tides and winds. Knowing this is crucial for the safety of my trip.
How much environmental protection is involved in "Project Interrupt"?
Before the project, I was already aware of environmental pollution and species extinction, but it was somehow distant to me. It was only when the project started and I spent a lot of time walking along the coast and collecting marine litter that I realised how victimised and powerless I felt. I decided to take responsibility and actively do something. I am convinced that if we all stand up for nature a little more, change can happen.
- You can find more information about "Project Interrupt" here here
"Some people think I'm crazy"
What feedback have you received so far?
Some thought I was crazy and predicted that I would fail. Others, on the other hand, believed I could do it right from the start - provided I chose the right conditions. I was aware of this broad spectrum of reactions right from the start. Nevertheless, I am focussed on my mission. I believe that we will achieve what we put our focus on.
How has the project changed your life?
I have learnt to stand on my own two feet and prioritise. Before the night of the storm, when I was almost smashed against the cliffs of southern Tasmania, I was even more concerned about what others thought of me. Afterwards, I knew that my safety and that of my boat must always come first.
I have also learnt to live with little money. Money hardly plays a role in my life anymore, especially as it causes so much damage worldwide. Today, I know how to live an extraordinary life with few resources - and that it's important to ask for what you need. I used to find this difficult, but the project has taught me exactly that.
In early 2025, you finally sailed across the strait between Tasmania and the Australian mainland. What lessons have you learnt from this?
I have managed to turn a vision into reality - something that some people cannot imagine.
You are currently near Melbourne. What will happen next?
From here, I'm travelling on towards Sydney. I don't yet know when I'll get there - or what will happen afterwards. For me, the whole thing is a kind of spiritual journey. The Aborigines call it "going on a journey" - a search for oneself. I might not reach Sydney, and that would be fine too. Another idea is to get the marine rubbish boat ashore there, attach wheels and pull it on a line to the Parliament in Canberra. I'll see what happens.
