Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has confirmed the location of the motor vessel (MV) Noongah, a 71-metre coastal freighter lost at sea in 1969 during one of Australia’s worst maritime disasters.
The MV Noongah was en route from Newcastle to Townsville carrying steel when it encountered a severe storm and sank in heavy seas on 25 August 1969. The disaster resulted in one of the largest searches for survivors in Australian maritime history, involving navy and merchant vessels, aircraft, helicopters, and shore-based searches. Tragically, 21 of the 26 crew members perished, with only one body ever recovered, and the wreck remained undiscovered for over five decades.
Through a collaborative project involving CSIRO, Heritage NSW, and The Sydney Project, along with public contributions, the location of the wreck has now been confirmed. The CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator conducted an investigation of the suspected shipwreck in June 2024, gathering high-resolution seafloor mapping data and video footage.
CSIRO Voyage Manager, Margot Hind, reported that the wreck is upright on the seafloor and largely intact. The vessel dimensions, profile, and configuration match those of MV Noongah, sitting at a depth of 170 metres and approximately 71 metres long. The collected data and footage were shared with project partners to confirm the wreck’s identity and support further exploration.
“This tragedy remains significant in the memory of many, and we extend our condolences to the families and descendants of the lost crew,” said CSIRO’s Matt Kimber. “We hope this discovery provides some closure for the surviving crew members and their families.”
The Sydney Project’s Samir Alhafith highlighted the importance of this discovery for the survivors and families and expressed gratitude to the founders of the wreck, Paul and James Wright, as well as Heritage NSW and CSIRO for their collaboration. Tim Smith from Heritage NSW echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the dangers of coastal shipping and hoping the discovery offers closure to those affected by the tragedy.
CSIRO continues its strong collaboration with the maritime heritage community to make significant discoveries, recognising the Indigenous Custodians of the Sea Country where MV Noongah rests, the Dunghutti People, and paying respects to their Elders past and present.
Family members and descendants of the MV Noongah crew can contact CSIRO for further details about the investigation. The RV Investigator, part of the Marine National Facility operated by CSIRO and funded by the Australian Government, remains dedicated to such vital research efforts.
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