Australia orders historic MV Cape Don to be scrapped
New South Wales government cites severe corrosion and environmental risks.
The New South Wales government has seized the historic lighthouse tender MV Cape Don and ordered its immediate disposal, sparking outrage from preservationists who argue the 63-year-old vessel is a irreplaceable piece of Australian maritime heritage. NSW Maritime cited severe corrosion and environmental risks as justification for the move, which the Sea Heritage Foundation calls “a blatant untruth” and vows to fight.
Decommissioned in 1990, the ship was later used for passenger and cargo transport in the Solomon Islands and South Pacific before being acquired by the Sea Heritage Foundation, which has docked it at Balls Head in Sydney harbour for more than two decades.
NSW government declares vessel an “unacceptable risk”: MV Cape Don
NSW Maritime, the state’s maritime safety regulator, has monitored the MV Cape Don for years, issuing two unsafe vessel notices and holding nearly 50 meetings with the owners to address its deteriorating condition. Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison stated the government had worked in good faith but the vessel’s condition had worsened to the point where restoration was no longer feasible.
“I want to make it clear that NSW Maritime has been working in good faith with the owners of the MV Cape Don for many years to help restore the vessel, but its condition has only worsened, and the likelihood of the owners being able to restore it back to its former glory has become untenable.”
Jenny Aitchison·NSW Minister for Roads
The government seized the vessel on October 18, with police searching it to ensure no one was aboard. NSW Maritime asserts the ship poses an “unacceptable risk” due to severe corrosion along the waterline, which could lead to flooding and a pollution event. The agency warned that if the MV Cape Don sinks or capsizes, salvage costs could reach A$15 million (US$10.5 million). The underwater condition of the hull remains unknown, as the vessel has not undergone major repairs in over 20 years.
Preservationists demand independent review before scrapping
The Sea Heritage Foundation, which owns the MV Cape Don, has condemned the government’s decision, calling it premature and demanding an independent review before any irreversible action is taken. Foundation Chairman Dr. CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg argued that the government’s claims were misleading and that the vessel’s condition had been misrepresented.
“The right and responsible sequence is to conduct an unbiased, independent review first and make a decision second. Reversing that order risks losing a 63-year-old piece of Australian maritime history on the strength of an assumption. Independent inspection and transparency about costs are the basis of a sound decision.”
Dr. CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg·Chairman and Director of the Sea Heritage Foundation
The MV Cape Don is listed in Australia’s register of historic vessels and is the last surviving lighthouse tender from its era. However, the government maintains that the risks of further delay outweigh the benefits, leaving the vessel’s future hanging in the balance.
As the dispute escalates, the Sea Heritage Foundation has vowed to pursue legal avenues to halt the disposal order. The outcome of this battle could set a precedent for how Australia handles its maritime heritage in the face of modern regulatory challenges.
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