Then · 1975–2018
The eco battle ship
Scottish fisheries patrol vessel turned Sea Shepherd flagship and star of Whale Wars.
Now berthed at Docklands, Melbourne
She fought for the ocean. Now she's fighting for its future.
Step aboard MV Steve Irwin, the legendary Whale Wars flagship. Tours, live music, school programs and ocean research on a ship that made history.
50+years at sea, since launching in Scotland in 1975
30,000+people welcomed aboard since 2019
6,000+whales saved in a decade of campaigns
1 of 11the last surviving ship of the fleet
The story
Built to protect.
Saved from scrap.
Sailing again.
Now · 2026
Home in Melbourne
Restored by volunteers and back in Docklands under her own power since April 2026.
Next · 2027 →
A floating lab for the Bay
A five-year science pilot in Port Phillip Bay, plus new spaces to learn, eat and create.
Come aboard · back in March
What's on
BACK INMAR
Every Sunday · 12.30–4.30pm
Sunday Sessions on The Steve
Live music, a cold drink and a self-guided explore of the ship. Curated bridge and engine room tours available.
From $25Register interest →
BACK INMAR
Wednesdays · [time]
Whale Wars Wednesdays
Watch the ship in action on screen, then walk the decks where it happened.
[PRICE]Register interest →
BACK INMAR
School holidays · Kids
Shipboard Treasure Hunt
A ship-wide hunt packed with clues, eco challenges and surprises for young crew.
[PRICE]Register interest →
Venue hire & experiences
Six spaces. One
legendary ship.
Birthdays, team days, launches and dinners for up to about 80 guests, with the Docklands skyline as your backdrop.
Aft Bar & HangarGatherings, gigs, exhibitions
Ship's MessDinners and workshops
Midship DeckOutdoor stage and music
Sea LabHands-on marine science
SEA-SISolve an environmental crime
Pirate LifeKids' games and parties
What we do
From direct action to
collective action.
01
Education & Inspiration
Curriculum-linked school programs aboard a real conservation ship, teaching courage, resilience and how one person can make a difference.
School programs →02
Conservation & Innovation
An annual floating research platform in Port Phillip Bay, studying seaweed biomass and circular-economy solutions with scientists and industry.
Innovation →03
Entertainment, Art & Music
Gigs, exhibitions, dinners and immersive games that bring people aboard, and keep the ship herself preserved.
What's on →
Join the crew
Free. First access to events, stories from the engine room, and updates from the Bay research. One email a month.
Unsubscribe any time. We never share your details.
Support The Steve
She was saved from scrap once. Help keep her sailing.
Ship4Good is a volunteer-run charity. Every dollar keeps a piece of conservation history afloat and open to the public.
Partner with us
Bring your organisation
aboard.
Researchers, schools, brands and businesses: put your name on a story people already love.
Great Southern Reef
Foundation
Foundation
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