It's seven years since Norman Sanders' ashes set sail from the South Coast. Where is he now?

It’s seven years since Canberra boat-lover Norman Sanders set sail from Batemans Bay for his birthplace, England, but it seems he’s no closer to making it home.

In January 2018, Norman’s doting family made headlines around the world when they put his ashes out to sea near Batemans Bay on board a little handmade yacht.

A message written on SS Norman‘s bow reads, “This boat contains my ashes, I am trying to make my way back home to England! If you see me beached please help by sending me back on my way!”

Captain Norman Sails Home, as the final journey was called, is chronicled on a Facebook page that shares updates with more than 5100 followers.

“It’s because of this amazing man we are the family we are today,” granddaughter Kara Heinl wrote.

“Norman lived life to the fullest, and his life-long dream was to be the captain of his own ship, and after all that he gave us, it was the least we could do in return to fulfil his dream.

“My one request would be if all could share this far and wide and if you see him sailing or he becomes too comfortable in one place and you think he needs to move on, please give him a helping hand to continue his journey.”

Norman was born in South Kirky, in West Yorkshire, and started a family with his sweetheart Theodora in the early 1950s.

They later emigrated to Canberra where Norman left behind his job as a coal miner in exchange for the public service, while his family grew to six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

During annual family holidays to Batemans Bay, the family would spend hours spotting boats in the marina and daydreaming about where they’d go if they had one.

So, when Norman died after a fall at the age of 89, the family knew what to do with his remains.

Within 48 hours of setting sail from Corrigans Beach, the boat was sighted already more than 60 km out from the shore. A month later, it was spotted about 130 km south, stuck on the rocks near the inlet to Wapengo Lake.

The last update was a year later, in January 2019, when SS Norman had “settled on a stunning little alcove at a family’s farm” on the eastern side of Tasmania. Norman’s family were even invited to visit the property and see the boat in person.

“The family were more than happy for our captain to rest there,” Kara shared in an update in 2021.

“Some weeks went by and … this lovely family then made contact to advise he had sailed on. To where, we have no clue, however, knowing Captain Norm, I dare say he has found another beautiful place to rest until he continues on his adventure.”

However, the wooden bow (complete with the written message) was left on the rocks, so whether the boat was broken up by the waves or sailed on remains a mystery.

But Kara isn’t disappointed. It would be near impossible for the boat to make it the epic journey of tens of thousands of kilometres from Australia to England, but that wasn’t the point – the family were happy enough to share the joy of the journey.

“I will keep searching,” Kara told Region this week.

“It would be nice to hear some news. My heart is just happy knowing he’s out there having one hell of an adventure.”

Kara said she’s received many comments over the years from people describing it as “a beautiful idea” and tagging their friends to get them to copy it with their loved ones.

“I hope they did!”