Our Management Team:
The Board of Governors & Advisors.
Chairman of the Board - Dr CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg
DBA (Maritime), CRMgr, ProfNZISM, FCLP, AFIAMCS, MRSN, MIoD, MInSTR, AFRIN, DFCIML, FSBCE
Dr. CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg is an accomplished maritime professional with over two decades of experience across military service, emergency management, and maritime operations.
Beginning his career in the Royal Australian Navy and later serving in the Army, he has undertaken deployments across the Asia-Pacific, including peacekeeping, humanitarian, and joint military operations. His civilian career spans senior HSE and operational roles in the oil & gas, shipping, and mining sectors in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia.
Holding advanced degrees in maritime safety, strategic leadership, organisational safety, human factors and environmental management, Dr. Manjarres-Wahlberg earned his Doctorate in Business Administration (Maritime Safety) from the Swiss School of Business Management. He is a Chartered Risk Manager, Fellow of multiple professional institutes, and published author on human factors, maritime safety, and emergency offshore operations.
A distinguished fellow of management and leadership, he also serves on several industry panels and in safety advocacy roles. Dr CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg volunteers his time as Chairman and Director of the Sea Heritage Foundation, an NFP charity that owns the last Cape-class lighthouse tender ship, MV Cape Don, in Sydney, Australia. He founded the “Get into Maritime” program delivered from the ship and other maritime platforms to teach Indigenous Australians to become ratings in the maritime industry. He is also managing the dry docking of the ship for entry into the Captain Cook Dry Dock towards the end of 2026.
Recognised internationally for his leadership, he has served as an Associate and then an International Leadership Fellow of the Society of Leadership Fellows at the College of Saint George at Windsor Castle.
His current roles outside the foundation are HSE Manager and Designated Person Ashore for Heron Group New Zealand in Australia, and Integration Manager for Heron Ship Repair in New Zealand.
Notably, he was involved in the management of risk and operational safety for the salvage and diving operations for HMNZS Manawanui, lost off the Southern Samoan coast in October 2024. Phases 1 and 2 of the salvage operation lasted five months
Dr Manjarres-Wahlberg has delivered research at the World of Shipping Conference in Portugal and at the University of Strathclyde International Maritime Human Factors Symposium in Glasgow.
He is currently undertaking research in heritage towards defence capability, leadership, maritime human factors and social impact.
Board Director - Paul Pokorny
TMIEAust, MAIP, MIEEE, MMSA
Paul Pokorny is a highly respected and dedicated member of the Board whose longstanding commitment to the preservation and future development of the historic MV Cape Don has made a significant contribution to the Foundation over many years. In recognition of his exceptional service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to both the Foundation and the vessel, Paul was formally appointed Honorary Chief Officer on 23 May 2026 during the ship’s anniversary commemorations. This honorary appointment reflects not only his technical expertise, but also the trust, professionalism, and steady leadership he has consistently demonstrated throughout his involvement with the organisation.
Paul has been associated with the MV Cape Don Society Inc. since 2011, initially joining the organisation as a volunteer Electrician. Since that time, he has played an instrumental role in supporting the operational maintenance, technical engineering reliability, and ongoing preservation of the vessel. Beyond his hands-on technical contributions aboard the ship, Paul has also provided strong governance and administrative leadership, serving as Secretary of the Society and, for a period, Acting President during an important phase of the organisation’s development and transition.
Professionally, Paul brings more than four decades of extensive technical, engineering, and management experience across the electrical, scientific, and industrial sectors. Since 2013, he has served as Director and Engineering Manager of Power System Support Pty Ltd, a NATA-accredited electrical testing laboratory specialising in high-level electrical engineering and testing services. Prior to this role, Paul spent approximately 15 years with the CSIRO and the National Measurement Institute High Voltage Laboratory, where he contributed to nationally significant scientific and engineering work. Earlier in his career, he held a variety of technical and engineering positions spanning electrical systems, electronics, scientific instrumentation, and industrial production environments.
Paul’s broad professional experience, combined with his deep commitment to maritime heritage preservation, continues to provide invaluable support to the Sea Heritage Foundation and the ongoing operational stewardship of the MV Cape Don as a living working maritime museum, training platform, and research vessel.
Board Director - Captain Harold Van Haltren
Captain Harold Van Haltren brings over three decades of senior leadership experience across a diverse portfolio of industries, including maritime operations, manufacturing, logistics, recycling, medical products, and international import and freight services spanning Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Throughout his career, Captain Van Haltren has demonstrated a consistent ability to establish, scale, and manage complex business operations in both developed and emerging markets. His expertise extends beyond commercial enterprise into the strategic development of industry capability, with a particular focus on technology transfer and sustainable economic growth within small island economies across the Pacific region.
His deep regional knowledge, combined with a practical understanding of maritime supply chains and industrial systems, provides the Sea Heritage Foundation with valuable insight into Indo-Pacific engagement, capacity building, and the advancement of maritime capability in geographically and economically diverse environments.
As a Board Member, Captain Van Haltren contributes a unique blend of commercial acumen, operational leadership, and regional strategic perspective, strengthening the Foundation’s ability to deliver impactful programs across heritage, training, and maritime innovation.
Board Advisors:
The Board is supported by a number of experienced maritime and professional service providers who serve as advisors to the Foundation. The Sea Heritage Foundation is grateful for the diverse expertise and guidance provided by our advisors across the maritime industry, defence sector, legal profession, and operational and logistics support disciplines.
MV Cape Don Committee Members:
The MV Cape Don Committee serves as the Foundation’s volunteer management body, providing leadership and coordination for our volunteer crew. The Board extends its sincere appreciation to the committee members who generously give their time despite busy professional schedules, helping ensure the Foundation continues to meet key milestones and maintain progress across our programs.