Tasmania's Wooden Boat Legacy: Challenges and Triumphs

At Total Dive Solutions, we’re proud to be at the forefront of preserving Tasmania’s rich wooden boat heritage. With decades of expertise in marine salvage and restoration, we understand the importance of these vessels—not just as boats, but as symbols of Tasmania’s maritime history and craftsmanship. Recent events involving iconic wooden boats like the MV Goondooloo, Parappa, and the Cartela Ferry have reminded us all of the challenges involved in preserving these historic vessels, but also of the resilience and commitment it takes to ensure their legacy lives on.

Historically, our Tasmanian Shipbuilding Industry can be traced back to early European settlement when in the 1800s, Tasmania became a hub for shipbuilding. Our abundant forests provided high-quality timber, such as Huon pine, which is renowned for its durability, resistance to rot, and beautiful grain. This made it perfect for boat construction, particularly for vessels used for exploration, trade, and fishing. Wooden boats were crucial for Tasmania’s whaling and fishing industries, as well as for transport between the island and the mainland of Australia. These boats were primarily crafted for practical use, such as transporting people and goods, but they also played a role in Tasmania’s cultural and economic development.

The Wooden Boat Festival of Tasmania, held annually in Hobart is one of the largest gatherings of wooden boat enthusiasts in the world. It attracts thousands of visitors and features a range of wooden boats, from traditional fishing boats to racing yachts.

At Total Dive Solutions, we understand that your wooden boat is more than just a vessel - it’s a part of your life, your legacy, and often, a piece of Tasmania’s maritime heritage. When an issue arises and your boat requires salvaging, it’s crucial to choose a team that not only has the expertise to get the job done but also a deep respect for the preservation of the boat’s original craftsmanship. This is where we stand out.

With a solid reputation built on decades of experience, Total Dive Solutions is Tasmania’s leading choice for wooden boat salvage. Our approach to salvaging goes beyond simple recovery; we focus on preserving the integrity and history of every vessel we work on, ensuring that your maritime treasure will continue to tell its story for years to come.

While we specialize in salvaging boats when things go wrong, prevention is always better than cure. Regular maintenance is the key to prolonging the life of your wooden boat and ensuring that it continues to perform at its best and stays afloat. From the moment we are called in, our priority is always the preservation of your vessel. We approach every salvage operation with a deep respect for your boat’s history, craftsmanship, and sentimental value.

Our commercial diving in Tasmania is ISO 19001, 45001, 14001 accredited, fully insured and operating to industry best practice, available for 24/7 call outs. If your vessel is in trouble call 0448 856 575.