Welcome to the first issue of Major Projects Foundation’s new e-newsletter. We hope you enjoy this new way to stay informed on Major Projects Foundation’s news. 

RESEARCH DIRECTOR’S PRESENTATION 

A talk at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club by Matt Carter, Major Projects Foundation’s Research Director, was enthusiastically received last month.  He described the increasing threat of pollution from WWII shipwrecks throughout the Pacific and how to get involved in tackling the problem through the Major Projects Foundation!

You can watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/Xbc4CVca7Nc

FOCUSING ON THE IMPORTANT FEW SHIPWRECKS

During World War 2 over 3000 ships were sunk in the Pacific. Major Projects Foundation’s Research Director, Matt Carter, along with our Historian and Director, Peter Cundall, have been working hard to prioritise which wrecks need to be examined first.

Their research involves both English-language and Japanese archival material as well as interviews with various stakeholders including heritage managers, marine pollution advisors and scuba divers. This has allowed them to narrow down the over 3000 wrecks to 54 potentially polluting wrecks of critical interest. The wrecks are located in 8 main countries, Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands.
 

To arrive at this shortlist, Matt and Peter ranked the vessels on age, depth below the surface, the potential volume of pollutants still held, and proximity to shore and ecologically sensitive areas. This is vital research allowing MPF to best target problem wrecks.

The Historians are now gathering more information about the 54 short listed wrecks. They’re looking into construction drawings to better assess the vessels before we start our physical assessments on the wreck sites.

You can find out more about this research process here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbvmuMGS-pg

RV OCEAN RECOVERY IS CHANGING COLOURS

When our ship was first commissioned in 1979 it was known as the Star Perseus. It was painted Safety Red and worked as an oil rig supply vessel in the North Sea.

When the ship was bought from the New Zealand Navy it was painted in battleship grey.

Now thanks to the hard work of a number of our volunteers but mainly Peter Devereux, the ship is taking on a colour scheme more in keeping with our mission. The photo below shows the ship with the painting nearly finished.