Authorities seize 2000-tonne ship disintegrating on Sydney Harbour

Authorities have seized a disintegrating 2000-tonne ship near Sydney Harbour’s busiest navigational zone amid fears it could wreak major environmental and economic damage if left to decay.

But the move has sparked outrage among the members of the Sea Heritage Foundation, a charitable organisation which owns the MV Cape Don. They vowed to fight the decision and counter “blatant untruths” that the ship is at risk of sinking.

Transport for NSW Maritime seized the vessel from Balls Head at Waverton on Tuesday. They had the assistance of water police, who searched the vessel ensuring no one was on board.

“Expert assessments found the vessel to be in extremely poor condition and posing a risk to Sydney Harbour, the environment and the community,” a Transport for NSW Maritime spokesperson said.

“The seizure marks the beginning of the process to safely remove and dispose of the vessel following years of engagement with its owners.”

The agency first issued the Sea Heritage Foundation with an “unsafe vessel notice” in June last year, a day after receiving questions from the Herald.

An inspection by a naval architect and an independent expert raised significant concerns about the hull, which is rusting and pocked with football-sized holes.

Authorities acted under reforms to the Marine Safety Act strengthening powers to seize and dispose of derelict vessels and recover costs.

It follows a years-long campaign by community group Save Our Sydney Harbour, which has been lobbying authorities to clean up the “graveyard” of derelict vessels leaching toxic chemicals into the harbour.

Convenor Stuart King said the group was impressed and surprised to learn of the Cape Don’s seizure.

“This is a big step forward for us and the harbour,” King said.

Volunteers with the Sea Heritage Foundation have been working to restore the ship, completed in 1963 and formerly used in the service of lighthouses.

Chair CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg said the charity intended to appeal the seizure notice.

“The ship is not at risk of sinking, there’s reports to say that,” he said. “It’s really disappointing. We’re a charity.”

King noted the ship’s disposal was likely to present authorities with a delicate and potentially expensive operation, given it was widely considered too fragile to tow to a scrapyard.

He added that further action was needed to address a string of other derelict vessels, including the former Flanagans Afloat restaurant, which is now considered one of the harbour’s worst eyesores.

Save our Sydney Harbour has been lobbying for a bond to be paid by owners to offset some of the risks posed by their vessels being left in the harbour in a state of disrepair.

“It shouldn’t fall to the taxpayer to deal with these passion projects,” King said.