News from the ships Radio Room
Heritage as Capability:
Published in the Winter edition of the Royal United Services Institute Journal, our Chairman discusses maritime heritage as capability to the Royal Australian Navy. Yes, thats right, a 1960s ship helping navy in the ditigal age. Well worth a read.
Board Appoints Chief Engineer Mike Bingeman to the Cape Don.
The Sea Heritage Foundation is pleased to welcome Michael Bingeman as the Foundation’s new Chief Engineer.
A former Royal Fleet Auxiliary Chief Engineer and experienced Class Surveyor, Michael brings decades of hands-on marine engineering, vessel survey, inspection, certification, and operational experience across the maritime sector.
His extensive technical expertise and leadership will provide significant value as the Foundation progresses through the next critical pre-docking and preparation phase for the MV Cape Don.
Welcome to the team Mike.
The Big Smoke article: Australia is rethinking veteran transition.
A subject very close to my heart, and one the Foundation is actively working to address, is veteran transition and homelessness support. Through the development of a dedicated Veterans Hub aboard the MV Cape Don, we aim to create a safe, supportive, and purpose-driven environment where veterans can reconnect with community and access a range of support services that assist with transition back into civilian life.
The initiative is also focused on supporting veterans experiencing homelessness by helping provide pathways toward stability, dignity, and permanent housing outcomes.
It is an ambitious project with a significant long-term vision, but one we firmly believe the ship can help with and help make a worthwhile and necessary contribution.
National Volunteer Week
Our volunteers are the glue that helps us keep going. We have achieved a great many things over the past six years because of you.
So thank you for your service.
Regards,
Sea Heritage Foundation Board.
MV Cape Don Dry Docking Update
Dry docking planning for the Cape Don has been ongoing since December 2020. An update on the extensive work that has been done and the next phase of the work about to commence will be posted here on Friday, 22 May 2026.
New South Wales Government celebrates volunteers.
2026 is United Nations Year of the Volunteer. The NSW Government is celebrating the many outstanding people who volunteer their time to various projects and causes within the State. Please click on the link to read about Jay Flanagan, a graduate Deckhand from our 3rd cohort and his amazing story from chef to maritime professional.
Jay has just completed a 3-day intensive integrated rating traineeship trial on the Antarctic Icebreaker ship, the RSV Nuyina.
Image L to R: Sea Heritage Foundation joining RSV Nuyina in Hobart. Captain Harold Van Haltren (Director), Jay Flanagan (Deckhand & Trainee Integrated Rating and Dr CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg (Chairman & Director)
Sea Heritage Foundation Announces Platinum Partnership with Sierra Fleet Services & Federation Academy
The Sea Heritage Foundation is proud to announce a new platinum partnership with Sierra Fleet Services and partners establishing a dedicated maritime training academy to meet the foundation’s objectives.
This partnership will enable the expansion of the Foundation’s Indigenous maritime training programs through the establishment of a dedicated training academy and the enhancement of its broader maritime education services. It also ….
Community Heritage Grant Winners!
The Sea Heritage Foundation is excited and proud to have won a Community Heritage Grant 2025. This grant enables our team of volunteers to work alongside a professional to ensure the correct preservation and storage of the important artefacts and ephemera in our care are ….
Community Heritage Grant Recipient
We are thrilled to be a 2023 Community Heritage Grants recipient!
Read more…
Old vessel at the cutting edge of technology
This week our Patron Lynette Silver AM, MBE and Neil Silver represented the Foundation at the official launch of the ARIAM Hub five year research project in Sydney.
This is a significant milestone for the ship and Foundation, with the MV Cape Don becoming the test facility …
New course underway…
On Monday 9th of October, the Sea Heritage Foundation, in partnership with TAFE NSW, the Princes Trust Australia and the North Sydney City Council, commenced our second “Get into Maritime” course. We started with a smoking and welcome ceremony at the old Coal Loader Sustainability Centre in Waverton. The students then moved into the old mess hall to commence the taster course with the Prince’s Trust Australia while the dignitaries finished networking and discussions over morning tea.
What a fantastic first two days of engagement …
