The MV Cape Don Society

The "MV Cape Don Society" was founded to carry out the refurbishment and conservation of the historic Lighthouse Tender MV Cape Don as a part of the maritime history of Australia, in accordance with maritime heritage guidelines. The MV Cape Don is an endorsed public museum and currently open for inspection by the public on an escorted basis. When restoration has been completed, the Society will operate the vessel for fund-raising purposes, for research, and community assistance expeditions.
 MV Cape Don - the largest vessel in private ownership in Australia

 Background

The MV Cape Don was built in 1963, one of a unique class of ships purpose-built to service navigational aids (including manned lighthouses) primarily around the West Australian coastline. She was built as a mini-liner, with the lavish passenger accommodation necessary to carry technicians, relief lighthouse crews (sometimes whole families) and officials sometimes for quite prolonged periods. The Cape Don was retired in the 1980s when Australian lighthouses were automated, and has had a fascinating history since then including as a prop in the Australian feature film Dogwatch and as a planned cruise ship.  She is now being restored in Sydney Harbour at the Old Coal Wharf in Waverton and currently registered as the largest vessel in private ownership in Australia. We have decided that she deserves to be saved from the breakers and have formed a group called the 'MV Cape Don Society'.

 Our Goal

Our plan is to restore the MV Cape Don to full operational status. A team of volunteers, including ex-crewmen and qualified engineers are working to achieve our aim making the Cape Don fully sea worthy again. We have a regular schedule of working weekends when all who join our society can become part of the restoration. Once restored, the MV Cape Don will continue to be open as a maritime museum (ideally as part of the Balls Head Coal Loader public park at Waverton) and as a working classroom for apprentices and maritime trainees. It is intended that she will be used to again serve Australia and the Pacific region on the seas as a hospital or humanitarian relief ship.

Currently, while docked at the Old Coal Loader Wharf, the MV Cape Don provides facilities for border protection training, corporate and social events as well as youth development weekends.

 MV Cape Don Memorabilia

The committee is actively pursuing any past memorabilia related to the MV Cape Don and is interested in restoring items back in their original place on the ship as part of the museum. Please contact us if you are able to help in this area. Contact us