{"id":931287,"date":"2026-10-17T09:16:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T09:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/931287\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T09:16:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T09:16:21","slug":"sydney-harbour-derelict-2000-tonne-ship-mv-cape-don-seized-by-authorities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/931287\/","title":{"rendered":"Sydney Harbour: Derelict 2000-tonne ship MV Cape Don seized by authorities"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Carrie<\/p>\n

October 17, 2026 \u2014 4:13pm<\/p>\n

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Authorities have seized a disintegrating 2000-tonne ship near Sydney Harbour\u2019s busiest navigational zone amid fears it could wreak major environmental and economic damage if left to decay.<\/p>\n

But the move has sparked outrage among the members of the Sea Heritage Foundation, a charitable organisation which owns the MV Cape Don. They vowed to fight the decision and counter \u201cblatant untruths\u201d that the ship is at risk of sinking.<\/p>\n

\"StuartStuart King, Co-Chair of Save our Sydney Harbour at Balls Head, Waverton, where the Cape Don has been moored for over 20 years.James Brickwood<\/p>\n

Transport for NSW Maritime seized the vessel from Balls Head at Waverton on Tuesday. They had the assistance of water police, who searched the vessel ensuring no one was on board.<\/p>\n

\u201cExpert assessments found the vessel to be in extremely poor condition and posing a risk to Sydney Harbour, the environment and the community,\u201d a Transport for NSW Maritime spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe seizure marks the beginning of the process to safely remove and dispose of the vessel following years of engagement with its owners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AA seizure notice on the Cape Don this week. <\/p>\n

The agency first issued the Sea Heritage Foundation with an \u201cunsafe vessel notice\u201d in June last year, a day after receiving questions from the Herald.<\/a><\/p>\n

An inspection by a naval architect and an independent expert raised significant concerns about the hull, which is rusting and pocked with football-sized holes.<\/p>\n

Authorities acted under reforms to the Marine Safety Act strengthening powers to seize and dispose of derelict vessels and recover costs.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

It follows a years-long campaign by community group Save Our Sydney Harbour, which has been lobbying authorities to clean up the \u201cgraveyard\u201d of derelict vessels leaching toxic chemicals into the harbour.<\/p>\n

Convenor Stuart King said the group was impressed and surprised to learn of the Cape Don\u2019s seizure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a big step forward for us and the harbour,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

Volunteers with the Sea Heritage Foundation have been working to restore the ship, completed in 1963 and formerly used in the service of lighthouses.<\/p>\n

Chair CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg said the charity intended to appeal the seizure notice.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe MV Cape Don has been seized by authorities. Sam MooyRelated Article\"Director<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe ship is not at risk of sinking, there\u2019s reports to say that,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s really disappointing. We\u2019re a charity.\u201d<\/p>\n

King noted the ship\u2019s disposal was likely to present authorities with a delicate and potentially expensive operation, given it was widely considered too fragile to tow to a scrapyard.<\/p>\n

He added that further action was needed to address a string of other derelict vessels, including the former Flanagans Afloat restaurant, which is now considered one of the harbour\u2019s worst eyesores.<\/p>\n

Save our Sydney Harbour has been lobbying for a bond to be paid by owners to offset some of the risks posed by their vessels being left in the harbour in a state of disrepair.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt shouldn\u2019t fall to the taxpayer to deal with these passion projects,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

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