The New South Wales Government seized the historic tanker MV Cape Don on October 18, 2026, due to its deteriorating condition and issued an immediate demolition order. Local officials have described this action as a "last resort," stating that the condition of the tanker has severely worsened and poses significant risks to public safety and the environment.
Deteriorating Condition of the Tanker and Previous Warnings
The New South Wales Maritime Authority has stated that it has been monitoring the tanker over the past few years, and its condition has gradually worsened. This agency has issued two warnings regarding the tanker’s unsafety and has reported that it has met with the owners, a private foundation, approximately 50 times to express concerns about the condition of the tanker and the urgent need for repairs to stabilize it.
Consequences of Failing to Act Immediately
The New South Wales Minister for Transport, Jenny Aitchison, has emphasized that her department has been acting in good faith to assist the owners of MV Cape Don in improving its condition, but the state of the tanker has only deteriorated further, making a return to its previous condition impossible. On October 18, the government reported to the media that police had searched the tanker to ensure no one was inside and announced that the tanker had been seized due to environmental and safety hazards.
History of the MV Cape Don Tanker
The MV Cape Don tanker, with a capacity of 2,100 tons, was built in 1962 in Newcastle and was used as part of the Commonwealth of Australia’s lighthouse service for the construction, supply, and maintenance of lighthouses and navigational aids across Australia. This tanker has participated in many prominent scientific missions and was decommissioned from the Commonwealth lighthouse service in 1990.
The Maritime Heritage Services Foundation, the current owner of the tanker, claims that MV Cape Don is one of the last remaining examples of a civilian tanker from that era and has been anchored in Sydney Harbour for over 20 years. However, the New South Wales Government has stated that the tanker is in unsuitable condition and is at risk of sinking or capsizing.
