HELP SAVE & RESTORE THE HISTORIC MV PERTH - Swan River ferry

FRIENDS OF THE MV PERTH (launched Fremantle 1914)

WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO SAVE THIS MAJESTIC ICON OF THE SWAN RIVER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

The MV Perth is amongst the oldest operating wooden ships in Australia, it is a river ferry built specifically for operation on the Swan River - lets keep it here for eternity. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Vessels her unique design has, since 1914, been a majestic icon of the development of the Swan River in Perth WA. But, after 110 years of dedicated service to the people of this State, she urgently needs our support to keep her seaworthy, operational and as a real life - 'Living Treasure' for future generations to enjoy and understand our State's maritime heritage.

We need to raise funds to lift this 160t icon and inspect, clean and paint the hull, service the propellers and rudders, service and repair the main engine, make urgent repairs to curtail rainwater getting inside the vessel. The first stage of this process has been assessed at approx. $45,000.

Included in Stage 1 will be moving ownership of the vessel into a Not-for-Profit company to protect it's heritage. Then with the assistance of the many volunteers, we shall clean up the years of deterioration in the woodwork and using the lifting cranes in Fremantle a good out of water bathtub and repaint (note; the video below is of when it was it was last lifted in 1996), checking for sea worthiness and making any urgent repairs.

Funds will also be used for mooring fees and the cost of insurance and specialist maritime advice and project management costs.

The overall aim is to have it ready and restored in time for the 2029 bicentennial celebrations on the Swan River, commemorating the birth of the Swan River Colony in 1829, she will be a proud reminder of what this State is about and how it was built.

We are also working with heritage foundations and museums to lay out Stage 2 of her restoration converting her into a living display and record of its history and its original features. More on that later.

We would welcome any offers of support from Corporations, Government Departments or simply individual's philanthropic donations, this will allow us to meet our deadlines and objectives more quickly.

Any donation, no matter how small will be deeply appreciated by those who love this magical piece of original maritime history of the Swan River Colony.

With gratitude

Friends of the MV Perth Ferry Restoration Project