Meet Megan
With Boats Afloat Expressions of Interest now in their final week, we caught up with AWBF Boat Manager Megan to find out a little more about the person behind the role, what goes into bringing hundreds of boats together across the festival site, and what she’d say to anyone still thinking about bringing their boat to AWBF 2027.
From The Sally to AWBF Boat Manager
"I started sailing at a young age on my family’s sailboat, The Sally, and we extensively cruised the D’Entrecasteaux Channel in the spirit of Arthur Ransome. The Sally has been part of every Festival, so I was introduced to this incredible four-day event from a very early age.
In 2019, six months after purchasing my own sailing boat, Thistle, I proudly and nervously sailed her into Hobart’s waterfront for the Festival. It turned out to be the most fulfilling, rewarding and supportive four days. The excitement and adrenaline of the community around me kept me talking for weeks!
My career in the maritime industry started almost by accident in 2014. After years of travelling, I applied for a job in Hobart working in the ticket office for the MONA ferry, but they thought I would be better suited to working on the boat as a deckhand.
Since then, I’ve gained my Master <24m, Marine Engine Driver, Long Range Radio Operator and Certificate of Safety Training qualifications, and worked across tourism, ferries, rescue work and sailing in Tasmania, Western Australia, New Zealand and the Mediterranean.
In 2023, under the guidance of Festival founder Ian Johnston, I worked as Constitution Dock Manager. It was an amazing opportunity to be part of the Festival from set-up to pack-down and everything in the middle, watching the dock come alive with public rowing, on-water events and the joy and atmosphere of the Festival.
In the lead-up to the 2025 Festival, I became more involved in the planning and management of the boat displays before an opportunity to work in Antarctica took me south as a Watercraft Operator.
I’m excited to be back home in Hobart and so involved in a Festival that brings people together with a shared passion."
Megan aboard her beloved Thistle. Photo credit: Supplied
Megan's Antarctic adventure. Photo credit: Supplied
Megan sanding Thistle. Photo credit: Supplied
What does the Boat Manager role involve in bringing the Boats Afloat and Boats Ashore programs together for the Festival?
Around 8 - 9 months out from the festival the planning starts and my mind turns to all things to do with wooden boats and how to best showcase them around the festival site. I will look at every entry to get to know the boat through their stories, photos and requirements and then will start grouping them to create a docking plan which is safe, engaging and shows off the rich maritime culture.
What are some of the pieces of the puzzle you have to juggle when planning where all the boats will go? Creating a safe and engaging docking plan for close to 300 vessels is a very complex and dynamic process with many considerations including size of vessel, infrastructure, festival theme, berthing requirements, on-water event scheduling and type of boat. With so many elements within the festival site and limited space to place boats it is carefully measured and drawn up and approved by local stakeholders before we can accept vessels.
What do you think boat owners get out of being part of the festival? I believe the festival is a great chance to bring people together to share their boat and its story through meeting and connecting with the public and other boat owners/crew. The atmosphere is fed by the passion of wooden boats and the craftmanship which can be seen also in the making in the stalls ashore.
With Boats Afloat EOIs closing on Monday 31 August, is there anything you’d particularly like owners to know before they submit? With hundreds of forms coming in, it’s really important that all the questions are answered correctly before the form is submitted. The form goes directly to the selection panel for scoring, so the more detail and love you can put into telling us about your boat, the better. Correct vessel measurements are also essential, as we need these details when considering how and where boats can be docked.
And once you’ve submitted your EOI, make sure you receive an email confirmation. That’s the best way to know your form has been successfully submitted and is safely in the system. If you can’t see it in your inbox, check your junk or spam folder too.
What do you most look forward to when all the planning finally comes together at festival time?The energy and atmosphere of the waterfront over the 4 days is such a buzz! Starting with hundreds of vessels sailing together in the Parade of Sail into Hobart’s dockside and seeing all the boats fill the docks. The community and volunteers make this event happen, so to see it in full swing after months and months of planning is very exciting!
Join the AWBF 2027 Fleet
Thinking about bringing your boat to AWBF 2027? Boats Afloat Expressions of Interest close at midnight on Monday 31 August. Tell us about your boat and put your hand up to be part of the fleet on Hobart’s waterfront next February.