After some deliberation about Sea Shepherd’s “controversial” anti-whaling tactics, its decommissioned Steve Irwin ship at Williamstown has been granted heritage listing.
It needed a clear majority to be accepted onto the Australian Register of Historic Vessels.
Ship4Good not-for-profit founder Kerrie Goodall submitted the nomination with help from fellow maritime heritage champion, Valentina Bydanova.
Australia’s Sea Shepherd flagship was used in campaigns for 13 years before being permanently moored at Williamstown.
In her submission to the ARHV, Ms Goodall said the Steve had filled a “spiritual and political void” in its service of Neptune’s Navy.
“… M/Y Steve Irwin has employed direct-action tactics to explore, investigate, document, and take action to expose and confront illegal and environmentally damaging activities that affect marine habitats and result in the slaughter of wildlife,” the submission states.
“The M/Y Steve Irwin and crew have taken action and raised public awareness where no one else would, filling the spiritual and political void left by Australian and global governments and Industry.”
Built in Scotland in 1975 and registered in Rotterdam, the ship’s former names were Westra (1975-2005) and Robert Hunter (2006-2007).
“I’m proud that we have had this recognition from ARHV and that it can contribute to the interest of maritime ‘exhibits’ at Seaworks,” Ms Goodall told Star Weekly.
Australian National Maritime Museum historic vessels curator David Payne said the heritage listing took a bit of deliberation, as had been anticipated.
“To satisfy everyone, the text was redrafted a couple of times, mainly around the whaling activities which have always been the controversial point.
“In addition, more clarity was requested on is current plans.”
