The following objects have been approved by Council for deaccession from the National Maritime Collection during this reporting period. The Australian National Maritime Museum Act provides strict criteria and processes for deaccession of objects that are not fit or required for the National Maritime Collection. The process includes independent expert assessment, and the deaccession of objects valued at $20,000 or more must be approved by the Minister.

00015660 Royal Australian Navy Westland Wessex Mark 31B anti-submarine helicopter

Westland Wessex helicopters were used by the RAN between 1963 and 1989 as anti-submarine warfare, air-sea rescue, and utility support aircraft. Twenty-seven were ordered from England in 1962 and the first delivered in 1963.

The Wessex is no longer required as part of the National Maritime Collection because we have since acquired a more significant or representative example of its kind, so its ongoing conservation and storage costs cannot be justified. Also, the engine from the Wessex has hazardous (radioactive) substances and poses a risk to staff.

The deaccession of this object was approved by the Minister in the next reporting period.

00053724 RAN vessel MB 172

A 12-metre-long wooden motor launch built by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) for deployment as a district officers’ boat. It is an in-water vessel that has been used as a VIP launch by the museum.

MB 172 was considered for deaccessioning due to the high costs of maintaining and operating the vessel. It is an example of a typical naval support craft, but with an elegant shape to suit its purpose as an officers’ launch. However, other examples exist of this type and MB 172 is not considered of high enough significance to be retained in the National Maritime Collection based on the estimated ongoing maintenance costs.

00030596 Hall Scott Defender engine

Twelve-cylinder vee-form single-acting naturally aspirated four-stroke spark ignition low-speed marine petrol engine with reduction gear box and clutch. The engine is lightweight, constructed from various materials. The block is aluminium alloy with the cylinder heads of cast iron. The engine is in very poor condition in multiple parts.

The engine is unfit for the National Maritime Collection due to its extremely poor condition and lack of significance. It was in poor condition on acquisition and was acquired on the grounds that Orange TAFE would restore it to full working order at no cost to the museum. This did not occur. In 2015 the Fleet section advised that it could not be brought back to working order due to its poor condition.

Ongoing conservation and storage costs of the engine and its associated parts are not justified due to its lack of significance.

00000139-143 3.365-metre plywood sailing dinghy with associated fittings including booms, tiller and rudder

The dinghy was acquired under the impression that it was an early example of the Moth Class, an important national and now international Australian class. However, it is an example of a kit-built English Moth. It has skiff shape and conventional stem, whereas the typical Australian Moth was a scow-shaped hull with a snubbed bow. As such it lacks significance and should not be in the National Maritime Collection. This dinghy has not been displayed nor requested for viewing since acquisition. Ongoing conservation and storage costs of the dinghy and its associated parts are not justified due to its lack of significance.

00002693-00002695 Johnson Super Sea Horse 40 hp outboard motor (model number RDL26R, serial number A15371) and associated parts (spare propeller and master control line)

The outboard engine and parts lack significance as they were not made in Australia, hardly used in Australia and are not rare, nor have they been associated with a significant vessel. These objects have not been displayed nor requested for viewing since acquisition.

0000086 Carvel-planked New Zealand kauri wood rowing dinghy

Carvel-planked New Zealand kauri rowing dinghy or yacht tender, 3.6 metres long, professionally built by James Hayes and Sons. Restored by owner prior to donation to the museum, incomplete, without oars or rowlocks.

The dinghy is of a very common generic type and its history is unremarkable. It has not been displayed or requested for viewing since acquisition. The museum has better examples of carvel-built boats in its collection. Ongoing conservation and storage costs of the dinghy and its associated gear are not justified due to its lack of significance.

00000087 Dinghy and 00000088-00000124 Associated fittings

Replica 4.26-metre carvel construction gaff-rigged sailing dinghy with drop keel, complete with spars and fittings and associated fittings (including mast, tiller, removable floors, spars, stays, halyard blocks, modern sheets and hemp rope). The dinghy is in fair condition but needs restoration work. It was only partly restored when acquired in 1986.

The dinghy is a replica of no significance and so conflicts with the museum’s collection policy. It has not been displayed or requested for viewing since acquisition. Ongoing conservation and storage costs of the dinghy and its associated gear are not justified due to its lack of significance.