One of a number of historical vessels being preserved around the world is the former lighthouse supply and navigations aids maintenance ship Cape Don, which, besides being a floating museum, is to become a training venue for young people.
Currently being managed by the Cape Don Society at Sydney, Australia, the 2,106gt vessel was completed by Newcastle State Dockyards in January 1963 and is the last surviving Cape class ship that was specifically built to service lighthouses around the coast of Australia.
The Cape Don Society, which is overseen by the Sea Heritage Foundation, is raising funds to enable a drydocking of the near 60-year-old ship for inspection and repairs.
Photo and report by Jim Shaw