Ship4Good Launches ‘Slip The Steve’ Crowdfunding Campaign to Recommission Legendary Eco-Battleship for 2026 Ocean Conservation
Ship4Good Inc., the ownder and custodians of the historically registered eco-battleship MV Steve Irwin, has today announced the launch of a national Chuffed crowdfunding campaign titled ‘Slip The Steve’. The campaign aims to raise vital funds needed to slip and service the ship, preparing her for an ambitious 2026 voyage along Australia’s east coast in support of ocean conservation and education.
Affectionately known as “The Steve,” the iconic historically registered vessel is now also registered in NSW as a domestic non-commercial vessel. This is thanks to the efforts of volunteers and supporters who rescued her from scrap in 2019.
Over the past five years, Ship4Good has successfully:
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Recommissioned the ship’s engines
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Rebranded and repainted the vessel
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Created extensive immersive entertainment opportunities within the ship for land based activities, including 4 eco-themed escape rooms, live music platforms, ship tours and even a wood fired pizza cafe.
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Showreel: SHIP4GOOD_edit_1 on Vimeo
One of the major tasks remaining for Ship4Good is to ‘Slip the Steve’ in Brisbane early February 2026 in order to carry out important final works on the ship.
“This campaign is about more than saving a ship — it’s about reigniting a movement,” said Kerrie Goodall, founder of Ship4Good Inc. “We want to ‘slip’ The Steve into dry dock, give her the essential maintenance she needs, and return her to the water where she belongs — inspiring and enabling Australians to defend our oceans.
Why We Need to Slip The Steve
Before The Steve can sail, she must undergo a critical slipping process — a haul-out for hull clean, anti foul and new anodes.The ‘Slip The Steve’ campaign goal is to raise $150,000 to cover slipping fees, hull maintenance and onboard safety equipment.
A Vessel for Change
MV Steve Irwin will embark on her most meaningful journey yet — not in confrontation, but in collaboration. Ship4Good’s 2026 plans include:
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Marine debris and ghost net removals in collaboration with other ocean conservation
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Onboard ocean education tours for school and community groups
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Support for grassroots campaigns focused on reef health, plastic reduction, and marine biodiversity
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Dockside events that bring the public face-to-face with real-world conservation action
“With your help, The Steve will sail again — not just as a ship, but as a symbol of hope for our oceans,” said Goodall.
For more information and images, please reach out to our media contact:
Kerrie Goodall
0418 781 823
Additional Press Release Material
Why I Saved The Steve – A Personal Story from Kerrie Goodall
When I first stepped aboard the MV Steve Irwin, she was silent — tied to a dock, forgotten by many, and destined for the scrapyard. But to me, she wasn’t just a ship. She was a symbol of courage, of purpose, of standing up for something bigger than yourself. I couldn’t let her story end that way.
I had followed The Steve’s campaigns for years. Like so many Australians, I admired how she stood at the frontlines of ocean protection — chasing down illegal fishing vessels, bearing witness to environmental destruction, and inspiring people across the globe to act. So when the opportunity came to save her, I knew I had to try. Even if it meant giving everything I had.
I poured my life savings into The Steve. People thought I was mad — and maybe I was — but I couldn’t walk away from her. I saw her potential not as a relic of the past, but as a vessel for the future. A floating classroom. A meeting place. A force for good.
Saving The Steve wasn’t just about preserving history. It was about giving Australia a rare and powerful tool to fight for our oceans. I believed — and still believe — that she belongs to the people. She belongs to our coastline. And she has so much more to give.
That’s why we’ve launched the ‘Slip The Steve’ campaign. We’ve done the impossible by saving her from the scrapyard and getting the ships systems back on line. Now we need help to slip her into dry dock, bring her back to seaworthy condition, and prepare her for a new life of purpose — sailing for marine conservation, education, and community action.
This isn’t just my story. It’s the start of something all Australians can be part of. Together, we can launch a new chapter in ocean protection — with The Steve leading the way.
– Kerrie Goodall, founder of Ship4Good Inc. and salve to The Steve!