MV Cape Don Society Inc |
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MV Cape Don Society Inc |
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| Site Design: Village Computing Centre |
Welcome to the MV Cape Don Society |
| Latest News: ~~~~ Trivia Night - Saturday, 25 July 2009 ~~~~ click here for details |
BackgroundThe 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 often for quite prolonged periods. The Cape Don was retired in the 1980s when Australian lighthouses were automated. Derek Emerson-Elliott (of Canberra) in 2003 decided that she deserved to be saved from the breakers. He bought the vessel, formed the Sea Heritage Foundation (to hold the ship in trust) and established a group called the 'MV Cape Don Society' to carry out the restoration. The project is now underway in Sydney Harbour where she is berthed at the Old Coal Loader Wharf in Waverton. The MV Cape Don is currently registered as the largest vessel in private ownership in Australia. Our GoalOur 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 to the public as a maritime museum and as a working classroom for maritime apprentices and trainees. It is intended that she will be used to again serve Australia and the Pacific region on the high seas in some humanitarian capacity. Join the Society and be part of this important project. As a member you can visit the ship in Sydney Harbour any time. Come onboard and hear the hum of machinery and fresh air being carried throughout the ship, the sounds of chipping hammers and chisels and the increasing rumble of machinery from the engine room. Be part of the great feeling as those of you who have been involved from the beginning of this extraordinary adventure, to go from a rusting hulk with little or no machinery operational, to a ship that is having a rebirth, a new sense of life with great challenges ahead. The MV Cape Don Society has set a course to achieve the following goals: In 2009 we plan to:
In 2010 we plan to:
In 2013 we hope to:
If you would like to become a MV Cape Don volunteer or contribute to funding the restoration in any way, you will be most welcome to join our dedicated band of volunteers, working on one of the biggest maritime engineering restorations in Australia. Help us achieve our goals - contact the MV Cape Don Society for more information. MV Cape Don Museum
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The "MV Cape Don Society" was founded to carry out the refurbishment and conservation of the historic, Heritage listed, former 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.
