About

Navigators is owned by the Roche family having operated cruise and ferry vessels from our location on Brooke St Pier since 1951. Our experience and stories will ensure a cruise adventure you will always remember.

Whether your require an exhilarating sight seeing cruise or venue with a difference, our diverse fleet will cater to your needs by accommodating you on board the most modern high- speed catamaran through to Hobart's only original vintage ferry, the MV Cartela. Our crew is committed to service with passion and enthusiasm and above all shares a love for Hobart’s spectacular River Derwent and the surrounding waterways.

Vessel Information

Our History

With a long history on Hobart 's waterways the Roche brothers started working on boats and dredges in the early 1920's. In 1941 Colin Roche with his brothers Bill and Max bought the steam vessel Ena and worked in the fishing industry. The brothers made history when they developed the long line method for catching crayfish with 10 pots clipped on one line. They were also the first to develop live tanks instead of wells on fishing boats, for keeping fish alive.

In 1946 they brought the Toorah from the Hobart Marine Board and fitted a diesel engine, which was the first diesel in a fishing boat in Tasmania . The Toorah transported the first bulldozer to Port Davey for the tin mining operations of Denny King. In 1951, the Roche brothers purchased five river steamers from H. Jones & Co. Ltd, IXL Hobart. These vessels Cartela, Marana, Excella, Breone and Bass were used for a number of years for river transport.
 
Max's sons, Peter, Michael and John are continuing the family's reputation on the Derwent by blending a mixture of the old – still proudly operating the original Cartela – with the new – boasting Hobart 's largest fleet including the most modern high speed catamarans (some named after the original vessels). The personalised service is still there and the reputation is still strong.
 
Navigators has been the sole operator to Port Arthur for more than 20 years and also operate cruises to Moorilla Estate Winery and to destinations as far off as rugged South Cape and stunning Freycinet National Park.
 
All of Navigators experiences are delivered with passion, enthusiasm and commitment and above all with a love for Hobart 's spectacular Derwent River and the surrounding waterways.