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Posted by David Sexton
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19 Oct, 2026
THE SEA Heritage Foundation has sought an independent review of the MV Cape Don which has been seized by the New South Wales government ahead of being scrapped.
The government has cited environmental and safety concerns in their decision to condemn the ship, a vessel that was previously used for supplying lighthouses, for training and then as a museum.
Speaking to the broadcast media, NSW regional transport minister Jenny Aitchison said the ship’s condition was “putting people at risk, it is putting the environment and our waterways at risk”
“This boat (sic) is beyond the pale, it is not going to be able to be restored,” Ms Aitchison said.
In a statement, Sea Heritage Foundation chair CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg said it was “a hard day for our volunteers, who've given years to this ship”.
“We share the minister's goal of a safe harbour. Our concern is the current order of things,” Dr Manjarres-Wahlberg said.
“The ship has had three underwater inspections supervised by the dockyard, marine surveyors and engineers, with that information provided to NSW Maritime.
“The underwater hull is protected and looks nothing like the above water hull.”
He said they had requested “an independent review to ensure information like this is not used to create a false narrative before any irreversible decision is made”.
NSW Maritime executive director Nicole Watts said they had already removed 17 tonnes of hydrocarbons from the ship and that it was “leaching fuels, oils, things we don’t want in our harbour”.
Ms Watts said they had met with the owners on close to 50 occasions and that “the time for talking has past”.
Dr Manjarres-Wahlberg said the SHF had been in regular contact with NSW Maritime and NSW Ports including working together on removing hydrocarbon fuels and lube oils from the ship last year.
“We shared the final inspection report after those five days of work in March. Since the ship has been in our care, we have had no environmental incidents, given the hydrocarbon removal, this risk is even further reduced,” he said.
“What we're asking for now is an independent review, so everyone is working from the same evidence."
He said it was fair to question the safety of any 63-year-old ship, but the hull was sound from their ongoing inspection and maintenance work.
He said licensed marine surveyors inspected her in August and concluded “she's sound enough to be towed to Garden Island for repair”.
“An independent review would give the government and the public an answer from someone with no stake in the outcome,” Dr Manjarres-Wahlberg said.
