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Category: Ships

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Sea Shepherd’s MV Steve Irwin

Sea Shepherd’s MV Steve Irwin in Newcastle Harbour

Sea Shepherd’s MV Steve Irwin

Although now retired from from its confrontations with Japanese whaling fleets, the MV Steve Irwin still looks impressive with its camouflage and skull painted deck house. Docked at Thales Marine in Newcastle, New South Wales, the ship is now owned by the non-profit organisation Ship4Good. Tours are a great way to learn about the fight to save the whales while contributing to the preservation of the ship.

We met our tour guide at the Thales Security Gate, where we were issued hi-visibility jackets for the walk to the ship. The jackets were necessary because the Thales dock is a working area.

Ship’s History

After a safety briefing our tour started with a talk on the ship’s history. Originally serving 28 years as the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency conservation enforcement patrol boat, FPV Westra, Sea Shepherd purchased her in 2006. Although originally named the MV Robert Hunter after Canadian Robert Hunter, co-founder of Greenpeace it was renamed the MV Steve Irwin following his death. Steve had been considering joining the vessel the following year before his death.

Over the next 12 years, the ship undertook 17 voyages ranging from anti-whaling and illegal fishing. These occurred in areas as diverse as the Antarctic and Mediterranean. However, she is most famous for confronting the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. These clashes occurred as close range, with activists throwing stink bombs onto Japanese ships and attempting to entangles their propellors. On several occasions, ships rammed each other, a very dangerous action because of the freezing Antarctic waters.

Tour of the Ship

Over the next hour we toured the ship from the bridge to engine room. On the bridge we were able to see where the ship and its operations were directed, with the large windows providing an excellent view of the surrounding area.

In the engine room, the two British Polar 12-cylinder 2,100 bhp Engines with their turbo chargers showed why Sea Shepherd bought this ship. The engines and the ship’s design gave it a speed able to match and overake the Japanese whaling fleet, while being relatively stable in rough seas. Along with the embarked helicopter this enabled them to find and harass the whalers.

Getting Around the Ship

Anyone intending on touring the ship should be aware of several restrictions. Several of the rooms and corridors are small and narrow. So if you are claustrophobic, this may be a problem. Moving from one deck to another is via steep stairways. If you are mobility impaired or have small children this may make getting around difficult. Remember to wear sensible enclosed shoes, because of the stairs and outside surfaces.

We had a great time here learning about the Steve Irwin’s history and seeing the inner workings of the ship.

Sea Shepherd’s MV Steve Irwin in Newcastle Harbour
Sea Shepherd’s MV Steve Irwin in Newcastle Harbour
Gangway onto MV Steve Irwin
Gangway onto MV Steve Irwin
Covered walkway around the ship
Covered walkway around the ship
Some of the cruises the ship participated in
Some of the cruises the ship participated in
Some of the cruises the ship participated in
Some of the cruises the ship participated in
Throwing stink bombs at the Japanese whaling ships
Throwing stink bombs at the Japanese whaling ships
Dramatic painting of the Sea Shepherd’s MV Steve Irwin
Dramatic painting of the ship at sea
The two 12-cylinder 1,600 kW engines
The two 12-cylinder 1,600 kW engines
The Steve Irwin's propellor shaft Sea Shepherd’s MV Steve Irwin
The Steve Irwin’s propellor shaft
The Bridge
The Bridge
The Bridge Sea Shepherd’s MV Steve Irwin
The Bridge
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Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Maritime Museum of Tasmania

If you have an interest in maritime history, then the Maritime Museum of Tasmania is a great place to spend an hour. Located next to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and opposite Constitution dock it is easy to get to.

During our visit, the second floor was undergoing renovations, which meant we missed some displays. The remaining area was still interesting as it covered Tasmania’s maritime history.

One of the more interesting displays was a model of the Tasman Bridge disaster. This occurred on 5 January 1975 when a bulk ore carrier collided with bridge pylons, causing a section of the bridge to collapse. Seven crew and five drivers from four cars were killed when they drove off the bridge and fell 45m to the water below. The model shows the SS Lake Illawarra lying on the river bottom with bridge debris covering her.

Tasmania’s contribution to Antarctic exploration has been significant, due to its proximity. A model of the exploration ship Nella Dan commemorates these achievements.

Other displays included interesting figureheads and boats, along with more models ships and photos.

  • Knots Display
  • Main Display Room Ground Floor
    Main Display Room Ground Floor
  • Figure Heads Maritime Museum of Tasmania
    Figure Heads (Zephyr left and Mary Wadley right)
  • Diving Suit
    Diving Suit
  • Tasman Bridge Disaster
    Tasman Bridge Disaster
  • Tasman Bridge Disaster
    Tasman Bridge Disaster
  • Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan Maritime Museum of Tasmania
    Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan
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Sawmillers Reserve on Sydney Harbour

Wrecked Barge at Sawmillers Reserve

Sawmillers Reserve on Sydney Harbour

Located in the Sydney suburb of Waverley, Sawmillers Reserve is a beautiful park with an industrial heritage. For 100 years from 1880, the area housed a sawmill, but is now a leafy park on Sydney Harbour. Not only are remnants of the sawmill visible, but a ship wreck sits on the harbour foreshore.

Getting There

Public transport is a great option when visiting here, because parking is limited. We used the train, getting off at North Sydney Station before walking ten minutes to the reserve. On the way we stopped at a little coffee shop, before continuing.

Alternatively, it’s only a 10-minute walk from McMahons Point Ferry Wharf, giving another easy way to get here.

Ruins at Sawmillers Reserve

The reserve contains the remains of the sawmill, which have been placed together by artist Jane Gillings. The ruins draw attention to the changing use of the site from industrial, to open public space.

Remains of the Timber Yard at Sawmillers Reserve
Remains of the Timber Yard

Ship Wreck

The wreck of a Marine Service Board Hopper Barge lies just offshore, making an excellent backdrop to Sydney Harbour. Now slowly rusting away, the barge broke its moorings in the 1960s, before grounding in Berrys Bay off Sawmillers Reserve. This barge was used to carry dredged material out to the spoil dumping grounds off Sydney, but is now a heritage listed wreck.

Wrecked Barge at Sawmillers Reserve
Wrecked Barge on the Foreshore

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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