Hobart - Mission to Seafarers

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Hobart - Mission to Seafarers

A warm and welcoming place for officers and crew on merchant and cruise ships.

07/09/2026

You're invited! See you there. *Please note, change of time for this years AGM.

03/09/2026

Merchant Navy Day – Hobart

Yesterday, Merchant Navy Day was commemorated here in Hobart with a small gathering on the docks to remember and honour the seafarers who have lost their lives at sea while serving aboard ships.

Representatives from TasPorts, local tug operators and retired seafarers gathered to pay their respects, with wreaths laid in memory of those who never returned home.

Dion Dillion represented the Mission to Seafarers Hobart Station at the commemorative gathering.

We acknowledge and remember all those seafarers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while working at sea, and we extend our sincere thanks to all those who continue to serve in the maritime industry.

We remember them, we honour their service, and we thank them. ⚓️🌊❤️

02/09/2026

⚓ MERCHANT NAVY DAY — 3 SEPTEMBER 2026 ⚓

Today, the Mission to Seafarers Hobart Station proudly recognises merchant seafarers — past and present — from all nations. 🌏🚢

Every day, thousands of men and women leave their homes and families to work at sea, carrying the food, fuel, medicines, machinery and countless other goods that keep our world moving.

Their work is often unseen, but their contribution is enormous.

Behind every ship is a crew. Behind every crew are families waiting at home. And behind every voyage are people who deserve our respect, appreciation and support.

Today we remember those who have served at sea, honour those who continue to do so, and recognise the sacrifices made by seafarers and their families around the world.

From all of us at the Mission to Seafarers Hobart Station:

Thank you to every merchant seafarer. ❤️⚓

Wherever you come from, whatever your rank, and wherever your ship is sailing — you are valued, you are respected, and you are never forgotten.

🌏 Fair winds and following seas.

30/08/2026

Welcome to Chinese Seafarers to Hobart Mission to Seafarers. Contact us using your Wechat account.

欢迎中国海员来到霍巴特海员之家！
请通过微信联系我们。

29/08/2026

Crew from the Devbulk Cansen enjoy some time ashore in Hobart.They will be in Port for a few days before they reload and then head off to Geelong.

11/07/2026

Enjoying a nice coffee on the waterfront today while I have Jimmy from the ICS Silver Lining. Jimmy has just flown in to replace the current Chief Engineer who will fly out tomorrow morning. Lovely weather we put on today so that Jimmy can have a wander around the market while he waits for his vessel to arrive at Risdon around 3.30pm this afternoon.

29/06/2026

A few weeks ago the crew on the sail ship Windwarde Bound had to dress as pirates for a birthday party booking. Luckily the weather wasn't too bad as they sailed out into the harbour to celebrate. Some photos of some of the regular crew who visit the Mission when they have free time. Thanks to Alice for the pictures. Thankfully nobody was made to walk the plank.

25/06/2026

Happy International Day of the Seafarer!
Today we honour the dedicated seafarers who keep world trade moving and connect communities across the globe. We thank you for your professionalism, resilience, and sacrifice while serving far from home. From everyone at Mission to Seafarers Hobart Station, thank you for all that you do. We wish you fair winds, safe voyages, and a warm welcome whenever you visit Hobart.

28/05/2026

On-signers for the ICS Silver Lining relaxing at the Mission before they start another 4 month contract onboard. Mostly heading between Risdon, Devonport & Port Pirie, the vessel usually calls in to Hobart every few weeks. However, with only 12 crew onboard, they hardly get a chance to come ashore while they are in port.

26/05/2026

At last, the Ocean Rover is shining in her full glory.
Ocean Rover was a 139 ton wooden brigantine, embedded in the intercolonial trading network connecting Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales & New Zealand. In Tasmania the vessel regularly visited Hobart, Launceston & Circular Head.

The "Cook in Charge" Incident (1896): The ship made regional headlines in January 1896 during a voyage to Gisborne, New Zealand. While her master, Captain Williams, was ashore attending to business, the vessel was left entirely in the hands of the ship's cook, causing a minor panic when she began to drift out.

Captain Thomas Hughes (c. 1894–1895): A veteran Welsh mariner (commanding at age 63). He famously helmed the vessel during her heavy run between Circular Head (Tasmania), Melbourne, and Sydney.

Captain Edward Williams (c. 1896–1897): A master mariner originally from Liverpool. He was the captain during the infamous 1896 "cook in charge" drifting incident in New Zealand and oversaw her multi-week voyages delivering cargo into Hobart.

Captain John Johnson (c. 1898): Took command of the brigantine later in the decade as she shifted more heavily toward the timber routes between New South Wales, New Zealand, and Tasmania.

In May 1896, under the command of Captain John Johnson, the Ocean Rover was on a voyage from Lyttelton carrying a heavy cargo of wheat. Approximately 25 miles east of Cape Brett, New Zealand, the ship was struck by a severe, violent South-East to North-East whole gale.

The storm was so destructive that it completely dis-masted the vessel, snapping her timber rigging, spars, and sails straight off the deck. Stripped of her power, she drifted helplessly before managing to limp into the port of Russell for emergency assistance. Her owner at the time, a merchant named Mr. Lamb, had to coordinate extensive, costly repairs to step new masts and get her seaworthy again.

In early 1899, after battling nearly two decades of treacherous conditions across the Bass Strait and the Tasman Sea, the Ocean Rover was officially retired from active service. Records indicate she was either written off following cumulative storm damage or quietly broken up and scrapped at an Australasian port, as was common for wooden hulled merchant vessels of her size once they became structurally unsafe to insure and sail.

Possibly re-built by Lionel Scarr Rogers (1899 - 1970) the Ocean Rover was restored by Colin Burrows in Feb, 2005.

Address

31 Morrison Street
Hobart, TAS
7000

Telephone

+61362346016

Website

http://www.mts.org.au/hobart

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