Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Antigua & Barbuda 2026.
Chairman Dr CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg was privileged to be invited to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the beautiful Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda to represent the Sea Heritage Foundation. CHOGM was a productive and inspiring few days.
Over the past three days, I have listened, learned and connected with people from across the Commonwealth’s 56 nations, sharing the work of the Sea Heritage Foundation and our human-centred Indigenous maritime education model. It has been encouraging to hear how Commonwealth nations approach complex challenges with open minds, shared purpose and a spirit of collaboration.
A memorable highlight was seeing His Majesty The King at the Sticky Wicket Cricket Ground, a special moment amid a busy programme, bringing together the Commonwealth’s shared traditions, community spirit and love of cricket.
Dr CJ commented, “I leave CHOGM with new connections, fresh ideas and a renewed commitment to building partnerships that deliver lasting social impact”.
I have also had the privilege of speaking with leading experts in impact finance and complex project management, gaining valuable insights into challenges that require coordinated, multifaceted solutions. These lessons will inform my leadership and the Foundation’s approach as we navigate the complex course ahead with the NSW Government and continue working toward a sustainable future for MV Cape Don and the communities we serve.
NSW Maritime has boarded the historic MV Cape Don, the living, working training, research, museum ship carrying break and entry equipment.
The MV Cape Don museum ship was seized by the NSW Government on disputed grounds in mid October, the volunteer crew was removed, along with the shipkeeper who maintains the ships emergency and operating systems, and no-one is currently allowed on board.
On the 29th of October 2026 at 2:53 PM, three individuals wearing NSW Maritime uniforms boarded the MV Cape Don carrying bolt cutters.
These individuals stayed on board for approximately 45 minutes. Their actions during this period are currently unknown to the Sea Heritage Foundation.
This entry was made without informing of, or supervision of, the Sea Heritage Foundation. As stewards of the historic ship and museum archive, the Foundation is deeply concerned by the risks such entries present to the security of the museum collections, and, the precedent this sets for future entries made by unsupervised parties to the ship. Unplanned and unsupervised entry to a historic living working museum ship whilst its owners are locked out is irresponsible.
On the day of the seizure the Government claimed that the ship was a risk of sinking.
If the ship was at risk of sinking, would you remove the crew who know how to operate her systems, not take a handover, conduct a walk around or not make any effort to learn the ships emergency systems or operate the pumps?
I don’t think so. Clearly, the ship isn’t this big risk that has been claimed by the Government. This calculated and deliberate action to destabilise a charity is very disturbing.
Transport For NSW (who preside over NSW Maritime) have previously made statements to the foundation that their representatives would not enter the vessel without advising the foundation first. Source: minutes (marked OFFICIAL) for Cape Don Working Group Meeting #48 on the 16th of October 2026:
[...] advised TfNSW is conducting daily external inspections and will notify Sea Heritage Foundation immediately of any issues. TfNSW will not enter the vessel without advising Sea Heritage Foundation.
The boarding was only discovered by the Sea Heritage Foundation thanks to surveillance equipment that was installed several years prior, intended to safeguard the museum and its collections from unauthorised entry and vandalism.
This demonstrates the Governments disregard for maintaining agreements and doing what it likes.
The Sea Heritage Foundation is in the process of obtaining legal advice in the ongoing dispute with NSW Maritime.
2026 DCN Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry Awards
The Sea Heritage Foundation is honoured to be a finalist in the DCN Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry Awards in the Diversity & Inclusion category.
For a veteran-led volunteer organisation. Being recognised by the Shipping Industry for our community work supporting Indigenous Australians to enter the maritime industry is truly fantastic.
This year has been especially memorable with our first Indigenous Integrated Deck Hand spending time aboard the Australian Antarctic Division's icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina.
The Future of MV Cape Don
The seizure of MV Cape Don by NSW Maritime is a devastating moment for the volunteers who have dedicated years to preserving this historic vessel and building the community programs she supports.
As Chairman of the Sea Heritage Foundation, I am deeply concerned by the Minister’s statements on camera about the ship’s condition and proposed disposal, given that she has never set foot on the vessel, including the reported $15 million disposal cost.
Public safety matters to all of us. Decisions of this magnitude must also be supported by a transparent, systematic approach without inflammatory language.
The Foundation has provided NSW Maritime with information from underwater inspections, engineering assessments and ongoing repair work. Licensed marine surveyors who inspected Cape Don in August concluded that she was sufficiently sound to be towed to Garden Island for repairs. These findings deserve to be addressed openly before the Government makes any irreversible decision.
We also worked with the relevant authorities to remove hydrocarbon fuels and lubricating oils in March 2025, further reducing environmental risk.
We are asking the Minister to:
- Conduct an independent review of the vessel’s condition, in consultation with the subject matter experts who have performed work on the ship.
- Publish the basis of the $15 million disposal estimate against a comparison with the cost of preservation from the dockyard.
- Explain precisely what “disposal” means and which options are being considered.
- Meet with the Foundation.
- Support the Cape Don Bill in NSW Parliament to create a legal framework for historic vessels to ensure the treatment of Cape Don doesn’t continue to other historic vessels.
Cape Don represents an irreplaceable chapter of Australia’s lighthouse and maritime history. Her future also matters to our Indigenous maritime trainees, veterans, volunteers, research partners, and the wider community connected to the vessel, its history, and the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service.
We have been progressing our strategic and pre-docking plans in consultation with our key partners. We share the goal of a safe, sustainable future for Cape Don and believe constructive cooperation offers the most productive path forward.
We remain ready to work constructively with the Government. Our request is straightforward: examine the evidence, compare the options and give preservation a fair hearing.
If you share our concern, please write respectfully to NSW Minister Jenny Aitchison MP and ask for an independent review before an irreversible decision is taken.
International Congress of Maritime Museusm Sydney 2026
In early September, Dr CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg, Chair of SHF and Sarah Dowd, Founding Director of TriColor Associates UK, presented A Tale of Two Hulls at the International Congress of Maritime Museums in Sydney. We brought together the story of MV Cape Don and lessons from Hull Maritime in the UK to ask a bigger question. What role can the world’s historic ships play in the years ahead?
Historic ships can help people develop practical skills, support research, provide a place to test new technology and bring communities together through the stories they carry. Giving these vessels an active role gives more people a reason to be part of their future.
Seeing The Ghost Fleet up on screen in Sydney Harbour and hearing the conversations it sparked afterwards was terrific.
The Ghost Fleet is a global idea and yesterday was an invitation to the international maritime community to help shape it.
It was great to spend more time with Sarah, show her some of the great highlights of Sydney and demonstrate how the Cape Don can continue to create meaningful service to the community and national sovereign capability.
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)
