Stories from The Steve · Issue 1: Newy to Now

MV Steve Irwin at sea at sunset, her painted hull and mast beside the open water

Ship4GoodMV Steve Irwin

Issue No. 1November 2026

In this edition

Newy to Now.

01Four years in NewcastleRestoration, repainting and the volunteers who never gave up.
02The trip homeDown the coast to Melbourne, under her own power.
03Melbourne City MarinaSettling in at Docklands, with the city on our doorstep.
04A sneak peekWhat's next for The Steve, her crew and the Bay.

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Meredith Lang and Riley in hi-vis on the wharf below the bow of MV Steve Irwin in Newcastle, with Kerrie taking a selfie in the foreground — Meredith Lang with Riley on the wharf beside The Steve.

Four years living in a shipyard

Newcastle, Australia, after towing The Steve 600 nautical miles north from Melbourne.

We were so very fortunate to find a place to take MV Steve Irwin where we could work on the ship, and we couldn't have been happier with what we found.

What struck me first was the people. Post COVID, having anyone speak to you, smile, and be so friendly and welcoming was a bit of a shock. Adi, The Steve and I made some incredible friends and wonderful supporters.

The curiosity of having a 59-metre, 880-tonne ship in town led to invitations and collaborations with some of Newcastle's best creatives, business people and councillors. We were also fortunate to be awarded grants, with thanks to the City of Newcastle and NSW Regional Development.

Kerrie with Newcastle friends and a dog around an outdoor table at night — Newy mates.

Vale Meredith Lang. We were very sad to lose a dear friend and one of our very few volunteers, pictured above with Riley, who was also a great volunteer in our early days in Newy.

A new face

Legally required to remove the Sea Shepherd logo after the takeover that removed founder Paul Watson, we created our own, with Indigenous symbolism: the meeting place at the centre, surrounded by totem animals and waves, with Neptune's trident and an anchor for steadfast determination. Painted with thanks to Raptor Coatings.

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Four years in Newcastle2022–2025

Our one event aboard

Seaing is Believing

Victor Holder's incredible projection show: an animated story of what Captain Paul Watson did with MV Steve Irwin as his flagship in Whale Wars. Only 24 guests at a time, yet close to 1,500 came over six weeks, and the last four weeks sold out!

Ashore and around town

AM Newcastle and friends

Without guests allowed on site due to legal issues, we created AM Newcastle (Arts, Maritime), with the Stories of Our Town Cinema (Tony and Chit Chat), the Lost Newcastle Lounge (Carol Duncan), the Beach Club Kids Corner and the Whale Cave.

We sponsored the documentary Shipwreck Newcastle Watch, partnered with Curious Legends on a kids' tugboat workshop, and sponsored the Sea and Celebrate picnic: David Wells' finale, Victor Holder's projection on the Pump House, then a HUGE storm!

Guests at a long picnic table at night beneath an ocean projection on the Pump House — The picnic beneath Victor Holder's Pump House projection.

The empty AM Newcastle space before the fit-out, with people looking around

Children at a workshop in the Whale Cave under jellyfish lanterns

Tony, Carol and Chit Chat at AM Newcastle

The Lost Newcastle Lounge and Beach Club with deck chairs and hanging lights

Jo and Flea hanging an artwork during the set-up

Before and after: the empty space, then a kids' workshop in the illuminated Whale Cave. Also Tony, Carol and Chit Chat; the Lost Newcastle Lounge and Beach Club; Jo and Flea setting up.

Rust, primer, paint and engines

On the tools

Hundreds of hours of rust remediation, prep and paint, with thanks to Raptor Coatings, our amazing little engineering crew, and Paul Adams for kick-starting it all. Former Whale Wars crew member Steve Ward started the engines, the first time in over six years; his DIYlife video has 1M+ views Watch. Ash and Bill came aboard weekly, with visits from Ross and Doug. Last, and most expensive: fuel back aboard and the CO2 fire system serviced.

Stories from The Steve · No. 13

Looking from the bridge over the bow of MV Steve Irwin, crew on deck, as she heads out of Newcastle Harbour past Nobbys Head — Leaving Newy, passing Nobbys.

Newy to Docklands

Third time's a charm

After two attempts to leave, the second jammed in reverse and hitting an ex-navy ship (not a good look!), we had divers check, clean and polish the prop, and managed to afford another 4,000 litres of diesel.

Just as well: we went through 18,000 litres over 600 nautical miles on the return trip. On the way from Melbourne to Newy she used none of her own fuel, as she was under tow!

Then we departed. It was hard to believe! Passing Nobbys, we set out on a three-day voyage in unbelievable conditions.

The polished propeller underwater, cleaned by divers — The prop, polished.

A diesel tanker on the wharf beside the ship — The last 4,000 litres.

By the numbers

600nautical miles

3days at sea

18,000litres used

0of The Steve's litres on the tow north

The tow north to Newy cost $140k, with the good ship tug Molly Grace.

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02 · The trip homeNewcastle to Melbourne

Three days at sea

She did not miss a beat

Our wonderful crew on the bridge and in the engine room ran shifts two-up, four hours at a time: hand steering and carefully monitoring all ship systems.

The Steve did not miss a beat, even running at almost full parameters: 650 rpm (max 700) with a 49° pitch setting (max 50).

See The Steve underway, and the phone call

Kerrie and Graham arm in arm, looking out of the bridge window over the bow at sea — Me and Graham, watching the bow.

Under the Westgate

We made it!

Crew and the ship's dog on the bow near the West Gate Bridge

The voyage crew and the ship's dog lined up on the wharf beside MV Steve Irwin at Docklands

The pilot with Rob, Doug and Brook at Docklands

Coming under the Westgate; the bow on the way in; the crew, home at Docklands; the pilot with Rob, Doug and Brook.

Four years of hard slog and a lot of money, and we are back. Better! Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far, from our crew to the trades and our few sponsors.

Now… it's all about what's next.

MV Steve Irwin lit up at night at Melbourne City Marina, Docklands, behind the marina's timber sign — Home at last: Melbourne City Marina, Docklands.

Stories from The Steve · No. 15

MV Steve Irwin berthed at Melbourne City Marina, Docklands — Our berth at Melbourne City Marina, Docklands.

Our first Melbourne season

Home at Docklands

I will never complain about Melbourne's winters now we are home, although I must say they can wear you down!

The facilities at Melbourne City Marina are brilliant, and we are very lucky to have been allocated this berth, which has been extended for three years (eight months a year, April to November).

The programs we had in mind before arriving evolved once we had a better understanding of the opportunities.

General Waste, the pirate General of MV Steve Irwin: Kids Ship Tour and Treasure Hunt

Kids' workshop

Meet General Waste

Once a villain who roamed the oceans known as General Trouble, the General of MV Steve Irwin amended those poor choices and became the inventor of the 'waste' bin after seeing so much rubbish in the oceans.

General Waste took our little crew on a trash and treasure hunt, with a fun workshop to follow.

General Waste handing out flyers at Docklands — Handing out flyers.

General Waste with children on the promenade, The Steve behind — The treasure hunt begins.

Valintina and Tom leading the workshop — Valintina and Tom.

Sascha on the stairs to the bow — Sascha, up to the bow.

A visitor shining a UV torch on a yellow-crested cockatoo artwork — Hidden art under UV light.

Children and parents at a workshop in the mess — The workshop in the mess.

General Waste with a group of children on the deck — General Waste's little crew on deck.

A child shining a UV torch on a marine artwork — Treasure hunting with a UV torch.

Very special thanks to Valintina, Tom and Sascha, who stepped in as The General.

New for 2027School programs aboard MV Steve Irwin at Docklands. Enquire now →

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03 · Melbourne City MarinaMusic, events & exhibits

For the inspiration and education of ocean conservation

Music, events & exhibits

Through arts, entertainment and innovation. Here are some examples from this year.

Gwyn playing a resonator guitar in front of the campaign patches in the mess

An acoustic band on the helideck with a girl dancing with her dad

Four guitarists playing on deck beneath the Melbourne Star at sunset

With the support of Community 3008, the Melbourne Boat Show, and some brilliant musicians, artists and storytellers, we created memorable events. We also welcomed VIP guest chefs like Shu, who hosted a 'food map' experience aboard featuring creative plant-based food, a DJ, a tour and more. With a limited liquor licence we hosted 12 events with a bar, live music, art, ship tours and more.

Sunday Sessions were a big hit: acoustic-style live music, games for kids, tours, and our mess with interactive art, Whale Wars and history to learn.

Sam at a laptop in the mess, a Whale Wars episode on the screen behind Wednesday Whale Wars Sessions included a ship tour and a curated episode of Whale Wars, featuring the crew and documentary makers from Whale Wars.

Some of our favourite events used our mid ship stage for music, DJ sets, sound healing, guided meditation and dance.

Kerrie speaking to a large group seated on the aft deck

Guacamole, salsa, corn chips and meatballs on a board in the sun

Host your eventNext season, April to October: corporate events, birthdays, art exhibitions and more. Get in touch →

With and for a purpose. Several spaces aboard: the heli hangar and deck, mid ship stage, mess lounge, aft bar and more.

A tiered stand of plant-based catering at the bar

Guests watching an ocean film in the hangar cinema

The heli hangar gallery at night under the paper whale

A host welcoming guests at an evening event on deck

Victor talking with guests in the heli hangar gallery

Stories from The Steve · No. 17

Adi the dog bounding through seaweed-filled shallows at Altona — Adi in the seaweed shallows at Altona.

Innovation in conservation

Pilot at Anchor

The Steve loves a mission. Our next one is close to home: seaweed biomass.

What's that all about? It's the 'stinky' stuff that washes up on our Port Phillip beaches, particularly around Port Melbourne, St Kilda, Seaholme and Altona. There has to be a better use for it than sending it to the tip, at a combined cost to councils of around $1 million a year.

MV Steve Irwin is planning four months at anchor to observe and record the biomass at Altona, Seaholme and Jawbone Marine Sanctuary: what it's made of, the dominant species, potential uses and how it could be processed. We also want to add our voice to the campaign to extend Jawbone Marine Sanctuary.

Why it matters. With increased nutrient loads and warmer bay temperatures, algae and seaweeds will play a huge part in helping, but overloading can upset the balance. Let's understand it and work with it. Can you help?

Adi on a thick bank of red seaweed at Port Melbourne, the pier behind

A school of small fish over seaweed beds

Port Melbourne's seaweed, and life beneath the surface. Underwater images with thanks to the Snorkel Sisters for their kind support.

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04 · What's nextPilot at Anchor

Citizen science

reCREWtment

This is a non-commercial citizen science observation, and we're inviting anyone interested in this field to join the crew. Crew enjoy their own cabin, wifi, food, beach and snorkelling excursions and more. Minimum of three nights aboard. Apply to join the crew

A crew cabin with portholes and a double bed

Breakfast fruit platter on deck with the city skyline

Register your interestApply to join the crew →

Solar for The Steve

Ray of Hope: sponsor a solar panel

We need help to finish our solar array for the ship's 'hotel load' at anchor: the kitchen, cabins and basic power needs, so we don't have to run our diesel generators. We have a few components, but we NEED YOUR HELP to raise $5,000.

Lightweight Sunman eArc panels: glass-free, 7.3 kg, 70% lighter than glass panels
Bonded in place, no drilling, salt-mist tested
Powering the hotel load at anchor instead of diesel

Close-up of a flexible Sunman solar panel

$90sponsors one panel

Your name or business on a plaque in the heli hangar
A sponsor certificate
Two invitations to our welcome back event in Melbourne, April 2027 (food and beverages)

20Ray of Hope sponsors needed

Become a Ray of HopeSponsor a panel →

For the inspiration and education of ocean conservation

Pledge 77: our Sea Lab. This space was three cabins, stripped out once HAZMAT-tested for hazards, and is becoming an inspiring multi-functional classroom and events space. Our Pledge 77 members are helping finish it: thank you to Jessy Bickers, Kimball Bull, Joy Chesterfield, Steve Davies, Laurence Gleeson, Victor Holder, Colin Leake, John Moloughney, Kylie Peate, Suze Robertson, Megan Stokes and Nicole Ward.

The three stripped-out cabins before the Sea Lab build

A fish welfare talk in the finished Sea Lab

The new One Deck main stage decking on the bow deck

Tyler holding up his power tools mid-build

Big thanks to Thank Manufacturing for donating the flooring, One Deck for our main stage decking, and as always our solid Can Do Crew: Tyler for helping with the skills.

Stories from The Steve · No. 19

Stories from The Steve · Issue No. 1

The why

A ship worth saving

MV Steve Irwin is on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels for being instrumental in saving over 6,000 whales and helping end whaling in Antarctica, for one! Most museum and historically registered ships commemorate the wars of man against humanity. MV Steve Irwin is the only ship to be recognised as a battleship to save species and… perhaps humanity? Built in 1975, when ships were made to last, she has been dedicated to protection and conservation from the start: first as a Scottish fisheries protection vessel, then as the flagship of Animal Planet's Whale Wars. A ship with the power to inspire and educate.

The how

sponsorSHIPGoods and services, like our good friends at Raptor Coatings, who provided the paint for The Steve, and CL Worx.

Do CrewMore hands on: bring your skills aboard, including our Pilot at Anchor, summer 2026/27.

The now

For the last seven years, 'saving The Steve' has been primarily self-funded by Kerrie Goodall, with all assets and a professional career dissolved for the future of the ship. Now we need YOU and The Steve to step up! Bite size:

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