MV Cape Don charity named DCN Diversity and Inclusion Award finalist

Recently we posted MV Cape Don – Are Her Days Done? by Freo local John Adderley. John drew attention to the Sea Heritage Foundation in whose care the Cape Don has been for many years before the recent seizure by the NSW Government of the vessel due to pollution concerns. Today we post a Letter to the Editor from Harold Van Haltren concerning the Cape Don and the Sea Heritage Foundation and the Cape Don’s future.

Dear Editor,

Sea Heritage Foundation has been named a finalist for the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2026 DCN Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards. This is welcome recognition of the volunteers, educators and industry partners whose work around MV Cape Don helps open doors into Australia’s maritime sector. Congratulations to everyone who has contributed their time, skills and commitment to this work.

Cape Don connects Australia’s maritime history with opportunities for the future. The Foundation has delivered practical maritime training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, supported veteran participation, and provided a platform for university research into maritime inspection and maintenance. Preserving the vessel would help protect that contribution to education, inclusion, volunteering and research, alongside her historic connection to the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service.

I urge the NSW and Australian governments, relevant ministers, heritage organisations and maritime industry partners to recognise this public benefit and work with the Foundation on a safe, independently assessed pathway to preservation, dry-docking and repair before any irreversible disposal decision. This finalist recognition deserves to be shared widely and considered in decisions about Cape Don’s future. Please read and share the DCN announcement.

Harold Van Haltren