Greetings all,
MMHN is continually astounded at the diversity and serious implications of news flowing in from across the maritime sector. This should come as no surprise. Our nation is vulnerable on many levels. We have a small population, a vast coastline, vast mineral resources on and offshore, extreme environmental vulnerability, a dependence on global maritime shipping, a maritime skills deficit, and an inadequate national fleet. Overarching all of this is Australia’s commitment to human rights. As always, this MMHN Update presents a snapshot of the challenges we face.
Contents
1. International Congress of Maritime Museums – Maritime Refugees
2. Maritime Museums Victoria (MMV) – USA Comparisons
3. Schooner Rebecca Walk
4. L’Astrolabe Anchor
5. Undersea Cable: Environmental Approval
6. Starlink: Vulnerability at Sea
7. Marine Sector Future – Young People Careers
8. Offshore and Specialist Ships Australia – Mature Age Maritime Careers
9. MMHN Community Consultation Submission
10. Port of Darwin Ownership
11. Maritime Law Association
12. Insurers ‘Enabling’ Modern Slavery
13. Algal Disaster – More to Come
14. Company of Master Mariners of Australia, Melbourne Branch
15. AUKUS Update
16. Heritage Fleet Update – Victoria Harbour
17. New Mawson Vessel
18. Floating Pools – Inspirational Waterways Investment
19. Vanuatu-Australia Relations
20. Oil Spills: Remarkable Membrane Innovation
21. Oil Spills – Let’s Not Forget
22. Vikings: Surprising Seafaring Motivation
23. Drones: Questionable Recreational Fishing
1. International Congress of Maritime Museums – Maritime Refugees
MMHN is an Associate Member of the ICMM. The ICMM Chair, President & CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, writes on the ICMM Maritime Refugee Project, “it has been deeply moving to witness the creative and thoughtful ways our member museums are engaging with the stories of maritime refugees. Across continents and cultures, these histories, which are often difficult to explore, are being told with care, authenticity, and increasing urgency.”
ICMM Maritime Refugee Project is a global collaboration between maritime museums, dedicated to exploring the historic and contemporary experiences of maritime refugees. Spanning everything from Vietnamese ‘boat people’ to Cuban, Jewish, white Russian, enslaved, and Napoleonic-era refugees, it delves into the causes of forced migration, whether due to conflict, persecution, or climate change, and examines the vessels, objects, and stories that carry these narratives. There are many actively participating museums, including Mystic Seaport Museum, Swedish National Maritime and Transport Museums, Australian National Maritime Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich, and Museu Marítim de Barcelona. Expected outcomes include a shared digital and physical exhibition, policy guidelines, an online art catalogue, and panels at future ICMM congresses.
See: https://icmm-maritime.org/icmm-maritime-refugee-project/
2. Maritime Museums Victoria (MMV) – USA Comparisons
Although thankfully in Australia we are not facing the same dire cultural threats that are happening in the USA, our community-based maritime museums struggle to survive. At a recent meeting of its executive council, ICMM expressed concern that the end of these organisations’ funding would disproportionally affect the viability of smaller community-based maritime museums.
“Maritime museums are often places that preserve the traditions of coastal communities, from Maine to the bayous of the Mississippi River Delta. Knowledge transfer, grants, partnerships, and joint promotions engendered by IMLS and NEH support have been vital to a healthy sector involving Americans from all walks of life.”
“Members of the ICMM call upon the current United States Administration to reverse its proposal to defund the Institute of Museum and Library Services and National Endowment for the Humanities and proactively support the contribution that all maritime museums make to promoting a greater appreciation of the nation’s maritime past, present and future.”
Read more from ICMM: https://icmm-maritime.org/2025/04/04/statement-from-icmm-executive-council-on-cultural-funding-cuts-in-the-united-states/
MMHN supports the valiant efforts of all the primarily volunteer efforts of the 17 member organisations of Maritime Museums Victoria. MMHN appeals to maritime enthusiasts to lend support and visit the maritime museum near you. See the map below.
3. Schooner Rebecca Walk
MMHN notes, with despair, the recent media coverage highlighting the unrealised potential of Rebecca Walk and Batman Park. We commend architect Rob Page from Peddle Thorp, who told Sophie Aubrey of The Age, “It’s such a little gem for the city … and we need to unlock it.”
Rob is proposing improvements and better connections. However, MMHN argues that the connection deficit mentioned in the article relates to a complete disregard for the maritime heritage of this entire site! MMHN, like the Yarra River Traders Group, welcome signs of interest but let’s hope that it is informed interest.
Why not build on the inherent value of this heritage asset itself? The 30-tonne schooner Rebecca, launched in 1834, was built by Captain George Plummer at his boatyard at Rosevears, Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) on the banks of the Tamar River. In 1835, it was owned by Robert Scott and chartered by John Batman on behalf of the Port Phillip Association for his first voyage to Port Phillip. Sailing from Launceston, Tasmania on 10 May 1835 under the charge of Captain A. B. Harwood, he landed in Port Phillip Bay on 29 May 1835. Later, on 6 June 1835, he entered into a treaty with the Aboriginal people for use of their land (now known as the Batman Treaty) and chose the site of the future city of Melbourne. After achieving fame as the vessel which had taken John Batman to establish the ‘village’ of Melbourne, the Rebecca was wrecked ashore in a gale at Cape Portland, Tasmania on 20 March 1839. All hands landed safely and salvaged the cargo. A memorial to Rebecca, recording her role in the founding of Melbourne, was unveiled in 1954 and still exists today near the site of George Plummer’s boatyard at Rosevears.
See: The Age: This should be a prime slice of the city
For those interested in the fascinating history of Flinders Street Viaduct itself: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flinders_Street_Viaduct
Image: YRBG, Batman Park and the rover are beyond the elevated railway track. Credit: Wayne Taylor via The Age.
4. L’Astrolabe Anchor
Jackie Watts reports: When walking in Port Villa, Vanuatu, I was astonished to find the Astrolabe’s anchor displayed simply leaning up against a downtown building. This somewhat unworthy installation may be the result of the 2024 Port Villa earthquake. The anchor is a significant artefact from the ill-fated Laperouse (sometimes referred to as ‘La Perouse’) expedition – a French voyage of discovery of immense importance in Pacific history. The Laperouse expedition visited Australia in 1788 and upon leaving Australian waters, both vessels were lost at sea. The wreck of the Astrolabe was discovered on a reef in the Solomon Islands by Peter Dillon in 1826. Its discovery, recovery and transportation to Vanuatu is an amazing 19th century tale. Dillon found remnants of the ship and other artifacts on Vanikoro Island after locals told him of two large ships wrecked there. Later, Jules Sébastien César Dumont d’Urville, a French explorer and naval officer exploring the south and western Pacific, confirmed the discovery and identified the wreckage as belonging to the Astrolabe. In 1959, a New Zealand diver, Reece Discombe, salvaged the Astrolabe‘s anchor and other artifacts.
See: Laperouse Museum
Image: The Astrolabe’s anchor. Credit: Jackie Watts
What is an Astrolabe?
This instrument is widely considered to have originated in ancient Greece, where it was used by astronomers and mathematicians to study the stars and planets. The first recorded use of the astrolabe was by the Greek mathematician Hipparchus, who lived in the 2nd century BCE. In the 10th century, a Muslim woman Maryam al-Ijliya, also known as Mariam al Astrolabie, took the craft of building astrolabes to the next level. However, Portuguese navigators and astronomers perfected the mariner’s astrolabe in the early 16th century. This simplified, robust version of the traditional astronomical instrument was specifically designed for use at sea.
If you really want to delve into this, see:
SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System: The accuracy of astrolabes
5. Undersea Cable: Environmental Approval
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has approved the $5 billion Marinus Link undersea electricity cable project. Journalist Ryan Cropp writes in the Australian Financial Review that the project involves the construction of a 750-megawatt undersea cable that will run between north-east Tasmania and the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, with construction set to commence next year and be completed in 2030. It involves approximately 250 km of subsea cables and approximately 90 km of underground land cables. The Federal Government will hold a 49% stake in Marinus, with the Victorian Government holding 33% and the Tasmanian Government holding 17%.
See: https://www.marinuslink.com.au/overview/
Australia Financial Review article: https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/5b-undersea-electricity-cable
Image: A map of the Marinus link. Credit: Marinus Link website.
6. Starlink: Vulnerability at Sea
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, an international telecommunications provider that is a wholly owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX, providing coverage to around 130 countries and territories. It also aims to provide global mobile broadband.
MMHN thanks Ian Thomson of the Peninsula Ship Society for sharing his reflections on the use of SpaceX’s Starlink for maritime navigation at sea:
With its low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband, it offers global coverage and latencies as low as 20-40 ms. Even in remote ocean regions where traditional geostationary VSAT systems fail, Starlink has become the communications backbone across the marine industry, from commercial ships and offshore energy platforms to cruise liners. Maritime providers report availability rates around 99.4%. It exceeds those of legacy GEO systems. With its ease of installation, lower cost, and rapid market penetration, reaching roughly 25% of satellite-connected vessels within just two years, Starlink is the go-to connectivity solution at sea. However, the recent Starlink outage has raised concerns within the maritime industry about relying solely on a single service provider. For vessels without a backup connection (such as VSAT or OneWeb) this means no internet connectivity at sea during the outage. It is recommended to have a hybrid connectivity setup to ensure continuous communication, even in the event of disruptions like the Starlink outage. On July 24, 2025, Starlink had a global outage. It lasted approximately 2.5 hours, reportedly due to a failure in the internal software services that coordinate its core network. For maritime operators, the interruption caused serious operational challenges: ships on transoceanic routes temporarily lost access to emergency monitoring, telemedicine support, and communication with fleet managers. While the exact number of affected vessels has not been officially confirmed, estimates suggest that over 75,000 vessels, including small and pleasure craft, globally rely on Starlink connectivity. With that data, one can only imagine. Reports from shipboard crews noted delays in navigation updates, interruptions in video calls, routing communications, and degraded access to weather forecasts. IT industry leaders echoed this sentiment, pointing to the growing overreliance on Starlink as a single point of failure. The incident prompted new questions about contractual guarantees, reliability standards, and contingency planning, especially in regions where backup options remain limited or underused. There is no denying that Starlink has delivered unprecedented bandwidth and global reach. But if the outage taught the maritime world anything, it’s this: speed is not everything, reliability defines true value. Marine operators who relied solely on Starlink, even with its strong track record, were left vulnerable. The event underscores the need for multi-provider connectivity, incorporating LEO, MEO, GEO, and terrestrial failover options like 4G/5G for enterprises relying on connectivity for mission-critical operations, redundant and diverse satellite routes.
You may wish to see this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtdLvlFtw2w&t=22s
7. Marine Sector Future – Young People Careers
A reminder that MMHN is concerned with all matters maritime, past, present and most importantly future. We note progress during the past month in engaging young people with maritime careers. The Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) is collaborating with Boating Careers and the Australian College of Pioneers to develop a marine-specific qualification tailored to industry needs – the Certificate IV in Boating Services. The first group of students is now ready to undertake work placements with marine businesses across Victoria. Students are equipped with a forklift licence, strong foundational skills in hand and power tool use, essential business knowledge, and solid training in workplace health and safety.
You may be a boating business in need of young staff or you may know young people interested in such career information: Certificate IV in Boating Services
Having advocated for this kind of investment for 6 years now, MMHN is pleased to find growing State Government interest in addressing our maritime skills deficit. Recently, MMHN Board Members met with the Victorian Skills Authority to discuss how students, teachers and maritime industries could overcome current impediments to training and careers.
Stay tuned!
8. Offshore and Specialist Ships Australia – Mature Age Maritime Careers
MMHN commends OSSA for launching a bursary grant initiative to address the Australian maritime skills deficit by supporting mature age engineers to find maritime careers. Arising from an earlier OSSA Maritime Career Schools Program, OSSA’s Reg McNee reports that, “a clear lack of available marine engineers in the workforce and minimal training programs were available.”
Under the OSSA initiative, potential candidates are expected to hold a trade certificate that meets the requirements of AMSA Marine Order 72. This would then allow for a minimum of 36 weeks sea time to be acquired before attending the Australian Maritime College. Prior to sitting the Watchkeeping Certificate, applicants will initially serve onboard as a trainee marine engineer under the supervision of the chief engineer. OSSA advertised for interested tradesmen in the AIMPE On Watch magazine and received 15 expressions of interest. OSSA are planning to expand further with the Trainee Engineer Bursary Program, with more to come later in 2025. The OSSA bursary allows for a weekly subsistence grant, as well as assistance with pre-sea safety training, insurance, initial travel and AMSA medicals. An experienced mentor will be assigned to assist applicants.
See: https://offshorespecialistships.com/contact
9. MMHN Community Consultation Submission
MMHN is primarily an advocacy network. When we see an opportunity to alert government to examples of poor practice, we make our views known by making official submissions. These appear on the MMHN website.
The most recent submission was related to deficient community consultation practices by government and certain non-government entities. We were requested to cite examples as evidence of deficient consultation. MMHN cited two damning examples relating to the role of Development Victoria in Docklands Precinct, Victoria Harbour: the condition of Central Pier and the disregard for the heritage fleet. Recommendations to the Victorian Government about how to improve its practices for future consultations are due to be presented in a final report to parliament by 28 February 2026. We look forward to this report and its outcomes.
Our submission may be accessed here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/49fd9e/contentassets/6ef267d2d55c45a9a5b829c6b48e8864/submission-documents/026.-melbourne-maritime-heritage-network.pdf
10. Port of Darwin Ownership
The matter is far from settled. At the 2025 federal election, both the government and the opposition advocated discontinuing the Landbridge lease.
“This brief outlines the context, continuing doubts, the support of expanding connections by the Northern Territory Government, and what’s next. Since the election, continued reports suggest the Australian Government is exploring potential purchasers of the port lease.”
“The 99-year Port of Darwin lease to a Chinese subsidiary in 2015 by the former government has proven to be one of the most contentious decisions in recent Australian foreign policy. Despite government reviews finding no national security reasons to terminate the agreement, intensifying global and regional strategic environments have renewed debate.”
Key points
- Landbridge Group has portrayed Darwin Port as part of China’s global Belt and Road Initiative.
- Security assessments of the lease arrangements have found no national security concerns.
- A government review following the 2022 federal election concluded it was not necessary to vary or cancel the lease.
- During the 2025 federal election campaign, both major parties promised to return the port to Australian control.
See: https://apo.org.au/node/331500
11. Maritime Law Association
MMHN is pleased to note that 2025 Maritime Law Association Annual Conference is being held in Melbourne in early September. MMHN Board Member Dr. David Goodwin will be presenting on Melbourne’s seldom-acknowledged history as a port city of global significance. The presentation will feature MMHN award-winning children’s book, River to Bay. To conclude the conference, MMHN will lead a walking tour of Northbank and Southbank.
12. Insurers ‘Enabling’ Modern Slavery
The concept of insuring against slavery is hard to fathom.A DCN report indicates that marine insurers need to widen their understanding of what modern slavery and forced labour across the maritime and extended global supply chains looks like. There are growing reputational and legal risks facing insurers that underwrite operations linked to exploitative labour practices. Although insurers are unlikely to be directly involved in operational abuse, they may be indirectly and unwittingly enabling unethical practices if they fail to adopt due diligence.
“Modern slavery is impacting an estimated 28 million people”, said IUMI secretary general Lars Lange. Modern slavery, including forced labour, human trafficking, and exploitative recruitment, affects several industries that have links with marine insurance, e.g. shipping, textiles, agriculture and manufacturing. Distant-water fishing, garment production and the maritime industry/seafaring are identified as particularly high-risk. Recent cases, including lawsuits against major seafood and agriculture companies, underscore the growing legal exposure for businesses complicit in forced labour. Ongoing maritime issues included seafarer abandonment and denial of shore leave as documented by the IMO.
See: https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/marine-insurers-warned-to-be-alert-to-modern-slavery
See: https://iumi.com/
You may wish to check the major claims database: https://iumi.com/statistics/major-claims-database-2024/
13. Algal Disaster – More to Come
The Biodiversity Council of Australia has released a report which calls for more government action to address the current crisis and to ensure that the nation is better prepared for similar disasters in the future. The report contends that the algal bloom crisis is a ‘human-mediated disaster’ that has been enabled by an extended marine heatwave, and that more action is needed to reduce Australia’s carbon emissions in order to minimise ocean warming. Journalists Lisa Cox and Sarah Basford Canales report, “Effects of marine heatwave driving ‘foreseeable’ the SA algal bloom could rival black summer fires, scientists warn.”
The Senate has agreed to establish an inquiry into the toxic algal bloom crisis that has affected the SA coastline in recent months. The algal bloom has turned the water discoloured and foamy in some areas. It has affected about 400 types of fish and marine animals. To support the crisis response, a $28 million support package has been announced.
See: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/24/effects-of-marine-heatwave-driving-foreseeable-sa-algal-bloom
See: https://biodiversitycouncil.org.au/resources/key-actions-needed-SA-toxic-algal-bloom
Image: A map of areas most affected by the algal bloom. Credit: SA Government website.
14. Company of Master Mariners of Australia, Melbourne Branch
MMHN congratulates Reginald McNee on being awarded the COMMA Outstanding Achievement Award for his services to the Australian maritime industry and to Australian seafarers in particular. Reg is a staunch advocate through OSSA for raising awareness of maritime careers within the education sector in Australia.
See: https://www.mastermariners.org.au
15. AUKUS Update
1. Payments
The saga continues. Ben Doherty reports, “Australia pays US another $800m for AUKUS amid Trump administration review of security pact.” The second $800m downpayment on the $4.6bn deal to increase US shipbuilding capacity was made in the June quarter. A third payment is due by the end of 2025. As part of the AUKUS defence alliance, the Federal Government is making a similar contribution to the UK’s shipbuilding industry. Australia will buy at least 3 Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US before constructing a new fleet of submarines in Adelaide. Prime Minister Albanese says the latest payment was made as part of an agreed schedule that was in place before the Pentagon announced a review of the alliance.
See: The Guardian – Australian payment for AUKUS amid Trump review
2. Pentagon review of AUKUS
Journalist Michael Koziol reports, “‘Trends are worrying’: Incoming US naval boss sounds AUKUS warning.” Admiral Daryl Caudle, President Donald Trump’s nominee as Chief of Navy Operations, expresses concern about producing enough Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to sell 3 to Australia.
“As you know, the delivery pace is not where it needs to be to make good on Pillar 1 of the AUKUS agreement, which is currently under review by our defence department… We do have to understand whether the industrial base can produce the submarines required so that we can make good on the actual pact that we’ve made with the UK and Australia.”
Across the 2 US shipyards that build the submarines, the current delivery rate is about 1.2 boats a year but needs to reach 2.2 to 2.3 a year.
See: The Age – US naval boss sounds AUKUS warning
16. Heritage Fleet Update – Victoria Harbour
MMHN thanks Docklands News for this comprehensively depressing update: “Docklands’ much-loved heritage fleet faces renewed uncertainty, with Development Victoria (DV) pushing ahead with plans to relocate the vessels to Williamstown’s Seaworks precinct – despite serious logistical, financial, and timing concerns”.
Pressure from concerned maritime stakeholders resulted in DV confirming with Docklands News in July that the fleet would be able to continue berthing at Collins Wharf through to mid-2026, providing some relief to operators while a relocation solution is finalised.
“While DV has proposed Seaworks as a new home, stakeholders have raised alarm that the precinct won’t have berthing capacity for larger vessels like the Alma until at least mid-2026, but it’s likely this period will be longer. DV’s position has prompted frustration and concern among the heritage operators, with the Alma Doepel team stressing that any move without a confirmed and viable new home is untenable. Docklands News understands that the Alma Doepel team has made it clear it will resist any relocation unless a secured location is in place and that it would be seeking financial support to make any such move feasible. While the Alma Doepel team, which has been restoring the century-old sailing vessel in Docklands for 16 years, is now increasingly open to relocating to Seaworks, commercial lease rates at the Williamstown facility present a significant challenge. The not-for-profit operators currently enjoy security of tenure at North Wharf – provided rent-free with utility support by DV for more than a decade.”
“Ironically, the Enterprize once called Seaworks home, but was relocated to Docklands in 2009 after rising commercial rents became unviable. Despite the heritage fleet’s role in activating Victoria Harbour and preserving the area’s maritime identity, DV appears determined to sever ties with the vessels ahead of its planned withdrawal from Docklands by 2030. One viable solution remains at New Quay beside Ron Barassi Snr Park – a location that could keep the fleet together and in Docklands. But DV has dismissed the site as ‘not suitable’ saying that it lacks essential services such as water, electricity and direct access to the water.”
“Critics argue these problems are solvable with moderate investment and the will to support a meaningful outcome. However, in addition, DV says part of the site is under contract for future development and includes an exclusion zone due to deterioration of the seawall. The Alma’s team has long sought to remain in Docklands – the ship’s historic home for most of the past 50 years. In March, Alma Doepel chair Matt McDonald said it was ‘extremely disappointing’ that DV had failed to provide a viable alternative, despite making commitments for a Docklands home for more than a decade.”
DV’s own 2012 Community and Place Plan acknowledged the need to “facilitate the development of berths for heritage vessels, including the Alma.” But with less than six months remaining, the pathway forward remains unclear.
See: Docklands News – Uncertain future remains for Docklands heritage fleet
17. New Mawson Vessel
An iconic name for all Antarctic enthusiasts. Douglas Mawson is the third improved sistership to be operated by Aurora Expeditions, which was established in 1991 by adventurers Greg and Margaret Mortimer. The company name taken from Australian Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson’s own ship. The first of the purpose-built trio, Greg Mortimer, was delivered in 2019 and the second, named Sylvia Earle after the US marine biologist and oceanographer, followed in 2022. The third expedition cruise ship, Douglas Mawson, finalised sea trials in Chinese waters late last week after completion by China Merchants Heavy Industry in Hainan. Built with X-bow design, the vessel is Ice Class 1A and Polar Class 6, ensuring safe and efficient operations in some of the world’s most challenging environments. It was launched in November 2024, has a maximum capacity of up to 154 passengers (130 on expedition cruises) with 102 crew, and features Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning, and zero-speed stabilizers, enhancing both safety and comfort.
See The DCN – Douglas Mawson completes sea trials
Image: The Douglas Mawson. Credit: Aurora Expeditions website.
18. Floating Pools – Inspirational Waterways Investment
A project for application in Melbourne? New York City Council has earmarked nearly $16 million dollars for a pilot pool project. Validation testing has been successful and the 185 m² rectangular module, as a pilot for the floating pool project, is being towed from Bollinger shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi to a pier on the Lower East Side in New York. It will be at sea for more than three weeks along the Florida and Atlantic coastlines.
The cross-shaped pool will float in the middle of the waterway. Each arm of the cross will service a different clientele – children, sports training, relaxation and open recreational activities. The result is a large swimming pool of 800 square metres with a capacity for hundreds of bathers.
It features a passive filtration system. Water flowing through the East River enters directly through the floating structure and passes through a set of highly efficient membranes that without the need for chlorine or other chemical additives. An ultraviolet light treatment stage then ensures final disinfection. The design structure will filter four million litres of water per day, servicing the pool as well as In the event of heavy rainfall or pollution episodes, sensors that monitor the water quality in real time stop the filtration system. The project should be operational in 2026 and initiatives such as refrigerated canopies are envisaged.
See: I’mNOVATION Hub – Floating Pool
Image: The floating pool project. Credit: New Atlas website.
19. Vanuatu-Australia Relations
Vanuatu and Australia are poised to sign a reshaped and reformed broader strategic agreement in September that will supersede the bilateral security agreement which stalled in 2022 primarily over visa restrictions imposed by Australia. ASPI researchers report that the new agreement with Australia (worth $500 million) will also support broader infrastructure assistance, economic development and investment in climate resilience. Vanuatu’s main security force is the Vanuatu Police Force or VPF (1000 personnel and two specialised arms), the Vanuatu Mobile Force or VMF (a paramilitary group responsible for maintaining stability and delivering disaster relief), and the Police Maritime Wing (which focuses on illegal fishing). The VPF aims to grow to more than 1,500 personnel and have a policing presence on all of the country’s inhabited islands. Although in the future, Australia will ensure it remains ‘partner of choice’ in the delivery of training and equipment, the partnership is far from exclusive.
See: ASPI – The Strategist – Friends to all agreement with Australia to shape Vanuatu security landscape
Image: Vanuatu’s relationship with other powers. Credit: ASPI website.
20. Oil Spills: Remarkable Membrane Innovation
The University of British Columbia can switch bet and filtering oil.
Oil spills at sea are a maritime enthusiast’s nightmare – we think of the Exxon Valdez in Alaska, the Prestige in Spain, or the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The estimated amount of oil or by-product that ends up in the seas and other bodies of water as the result of industrial processes and oil accidents is over two million tons.
Obviously, avoidance of spills is the optimum solution, but they continue to occur. Methods of addressing the problem until now have been mechanical or chemical, but new Canadian technology developed by the University of British Columbia offers another approach. It is a system which can not only clear oil spills but also purifies oil that has become mixed with water. Recovered oil can be used instead of being dumped.
Researchers led by Chun Haow (Bryan) Kung, a chemical engineering student, have developed a reusable membrane. It is complex but effective. “It is composed of a copper mesh and can be produced quickly and cheaply. Once the smart membrane is ready for use, it is submerged in an electrolyte where two consecutive electrical currents are applied for two minutes. The resulting material, with its rugged surface and copper oxide, lets only the oil pass through. However, if another low electrical current is applied (an alkaline battery would suffice) the superficial structure changes. Now the process is reversed, and only water can pass through, while the petroleum is retained. Later on, the membrane has only to be dried for it to recover its original properties.”
Regardless of the density and viscosity of the oil, lab tests show a 98% efficiency, and the membrane remains intact after thirty filter cycles.
See: I’mNOVATION Hub – New Membrane Able to Clear up Oil Spills and Recover Fuel
21. Oil Spills – Let’s Not Forget
Oil spills do happen – and in Australian waters. Spills, leaks and ruptures involving vessels, drilling platforms and other related infrastructure. Fines are imposed – but the damage is done. Cynically, such ‘mishaps’ could be simply absorbed as a cost of doing business. These incidents highlight the need for robust regulation and effective spill response capabilities as well as the need for proactive vigilance.
Check the reports below and have a closer look at this ABC report by Max Chalmers on drilling and dead dolphins: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-04/the-santos-worker-who-blew-whistle-on-dead-dolphins-oil-spill/103056606
March 2022: Off the Pilbara coast, WA, a ‘condensate’ spill occurred at the Varanus Island Marine Terminal which involved approximately 25,000 litres of condensate released into the ocean due to a rupture in a flexible loading line. Condensate is a liquid formed when a vapor cools and changes state, or a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons, primarily found in natural gas production.
April 2010: This mobile offshore drilling unit, Deepwater Horizon, suffered a catastrophic explosion and sank in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming the largest offshore oil spill ever in the US. An estimated 134 million gallons spilled into the ocean over 87 days.
November 2002: The Prestige oil spill – an environmental disaster that occurred off the coast of Galicia, Spain. The oil tanker MV Prestige, carrying 77,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, suffered a structural failure and began leaking oil after encountering a storm. The ship eventually broke in two and sank, releasing a large amount of oil into the Atlantic Ocean, impacting thousands of kilometres of coastline in Spain, France, and Portugal.
August–November 2009: Off the north-west coast of WA, a blowout incident (aka an uncontrolled release of oil and gas) occurred at the Montara wellhead platform, causing an estimated spill of 40 million litres of oil over 75 days. A large oil slick spread into the Timor Sea, impacting both Australian and Indonesian waters. It is considered one of Australia’s worst oil disasters and had significant environmental and socio-economic consequences.
March 1989: The Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, causing a massive oil spill of an estimated 11 million gallons of crude oil, impacting over 1,300 miles of shoreline and causing immense damage to the environment and to wildlife.
22. Vikings: Surprising Seafaring Motivation
The Vikings (circa 750-1050 CE) were renown seafarers, but why did they roam? Recent British archaeological research by Jane Kershaw reveals that a primary driver was the acquisition of silver. Tens of thousands of silver objects and coins are known from hoards and settlements across the Scandinavian homelands of Norway, Denmark and Sweden, as well as far overseas – from England to Russia and beyond. Scientific geochemistry draws new information about the geographic connections forged by Viking warrior-traders.
Coins tell the story, as do massive ingots of melted loot. Rather than matching western silver sources or local lead, these objects had the same isotope ratios as the Islamic currency of dirhams, minted between 750 and 900AD by the Umayyads and Abbasids, in what is today Iran and Iraq. Two Viking ingots were marked with a cross, although whether this carried Christian meaning or was simply a way of marking out ownership is unclear. Either way, these massive ingots must have been cast in Scandinavia from Islamic silver dirhams and brought over to England in Viking hands, before being buried in North Yorkshire.
What’s clear is that in the 9th century, the Vikings were already awash in Islamic silver. Meanwhile, more undiscovered treasures like that found in Bedale lie quietly underground, waiting to reveal their secrets.
See: The Conversation – Vikings were captivated by silver
Image: In 789, the first recorded landing of Vikings in England occurred in Dorset on the south coast. Credit: Historical Images Archive/Alamy.
23. Drones: Questionable Recreational Fishing
How can the use of drones be considered a credible form of recreational fishing? The Australian Financial Review Life & Leisure Magazine reports that drone fishing was probably invented in Australia. Not surprising. We are quick to adopt new technologies – and in this instance new toys for the affluent and time-poor. The model described costs $1299 and can spend a maximum of 45 minutes carrying a fishing line attached to up to 1 kilo of bait which is released at will when the operator (on shore or in a boat) spots a likely target. Proponents claim it is more convenient that actually fishing.
See: https://au.aeroodrones.com/pages/about
Image: Aeroo fishing drone. Credit: Aeroo Website.
MMHN: A Gentle Reminder
You are very welcome to share your maritime-themed events and concerns with MMHN via email to info@mmhn.org.au.
And for those of you who may wish to contact Jackie Watts directly, please use the new email address: jwatts2248@gmail.com.
Until next time,
Jackie
Dr Jackie Watts OAM
Chair,
Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network