NSW seizes historic Cape Don ship for disposal
NSW Maritime seized the MV Cape Don, a historic 1963 ship, over safety risks and plans to scrap it.
The NSW Government has seized the MV Cape Don, Australia's last Commonwealth Lighthouse Service tender, berthed in Sydney Harbour at Balls Head. Built at Newcastle's State Dockyard in 1963, the 76-metre vessel was seized for safe disposal over safety and environmental concerns.
NSW Maritime says the ship has not had major repairs in over two decades. The ship poses unacceptable risk from unknown underwater damage and corrosion.
The Sea Heritage Foundation, the volunteer charity that owns and cares for the ship, disputes this. They say the hull is sound.
Cape Don trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in maritime programs. It was involved in scientific expeditions, including salvaging anchors from the historic HMS Investigator.
The foundation asks for an independent marine survey before any disposal proceeds.
- 1963 at Newcastle State Dockyard
- Built
- 76 metres
- Length
- 3 underwater, several above-water surveys
- Inspections completed
Why it mattersThe ship is a rare survivor of Newcastle's State Dockyard era and represents Australia's maritime heritage; disposal would erase it permanently.
AustraliaNewcastle and the broader NSW heritage community would lose a working piece of Australia's ship-building history built locally over 60 years ago.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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