Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia - MAAWA

Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia - MAAWA MAAWA
Established in 1974

Our members represent the volunteer division of the Maritime Archaeology Department of the Western Australian Museum.

MAAWA
Dig | Dive | Discover

Maritime Archaeology Est 1974

•Passionate Preservation
•Dive Shipwrecks
•Research & Education
•Manage Underwater Heritage Sites

Guests Welcome

Shipwrecks Galleries, Fremantle, WA
www.maawa.net MAAWA members consist of a mix of divers, archaeologists, historians, and members of the general public who are all passionate about Western Australia's terrestrial and under

water maritime archaeology and heritage. We are primarily an archaeology association, not a diving club. While many of our members do dive, there are plenty of opportunities for research and fieldwork for people who do not dive. We carry out research into newly discovered and existing shipwrecks and we are authorized to carry out wreck inspections for the Museum. MAAWA was involved in placing the plaques at some of the wrecks at Rottnest Island. More recently MAAWA members have created an app called 'ShipwrecksWA' which has GPS locations, histories, and images of wrecks around the Western Australian coastline, Rottnest, and the Swan River. You can download the app from http://www.shipwreckswa.com

Eyewitness to a shipwreck!Tales of shipwrecks have captured imaginations for centuries – stories of bad luck or human er...
23/06/2026

Eyewitness to a shipwreck!

Tales of shipwrecks have captured imaginations for centuries – stories of bad luck or human error, tragedy, and sometimes survival against the odds. In early 20th century Western Australia, it was perhaps this public appetite for shipwreck stories that led a photographer to capture the aftermath of the wreck of the SS Karrakatta.

The twin screw steamer SS Karrakatta met its fate on 26 March 1901 off Cape Leveque, Western Australia.

Mastered by Captain Harry Talboys, the SS Karrakatta was on a voyage from Fremantle to Singapore.

READ MORE HERE:-
https://www.naa.gov.au/blog/eyewitness-shipwreck #0

Where looking for STUNNING photos to add to our updated website. Do you own anything you want us to use/share. We will g...
20/06/2026

Where looking for STUNNING photos to add to our updated website.
Do you own anything you want us to use/share.

We will give credit to the owner of the photo on the site, and we'd really appreciate using it as a gift from your good selves.

Please comment below with your photo or details and we will be in contact

THANKS in ADVANCE

ONE SPOT LEFT... An informative workshop on where to start with historic shipwreck research.This session will help prepa...
19/06/2026

ONE SPOT LEFT...

An informative workshop on where to start with historic shipwreck research.
This session will help prepare people to get involved with upcoming Swan River and Rottnest work.

You will cover:
• How to find maritime history and photographic material in state libraries and museums in Australia.
• How to store and catalogue research data
• Copyright implications…etc.
Tuesday 30th June 6pm -8pm
Battye Library Northbridge, 3rd Floor.
Undertaken by Ian Warne - so you know it will be AWESOME and INFORMATIVE

$15.00 Maawa Members - $30.00 Guests

Our Facebook Event for this is https://www.facebook.com/events/1881397743247595

Book ASAP limit of 10 PAX per person - stay tuned will upload the booking link in a day or so.
Or search https://www.maawa.net/courses

Greg from MVPerth spoke to our guests last night for our June meeting.There was some really interesting discussions on...
17/06/2026

Greg from MVPerth spoke to our guests last night for our June meeting.

There was some really interesting discussions on how the ferry started, where she is now and what the hope and goal is for the future.

Stay tuned you’re in for some exciting news as the year progresses.

Thank you to everyone who brave the cold last night!

Can we introduce you to Patrick, he is a committee member and keeps us connected to our affiliate The Shipwrecks and Mar...
17/06/2026

Can we introduce you to Patrick, he is a committee member and keeps us connected to our affiliate The Shipwrecks and Maritime Museums.

Dr. Patrick Morrison is an Assistant Curator of Maritime Heritage at the WA Museum specializing in underwater photogrammetry, 3D site reconstruction, and submerged landscape archaeology.

He is a qualified commercial/technical diver known for locating historic wrecks in the Swan River and recording significant shipwreck sites.

Key, up-to-date details for 2026 include:
Role & Expertise: He is an expert in 3D photogrammetric recording of shipwreck sites and submerged cultural heritage.

Discoveries: In 2025, he co-discovered the Dutch WWII submarine K XI, lost for over 80 years off Wadjemup/Rottnest Island. He also discovered the earliest known wreck in the Swan River.

Significant Projects: Recorded the Trial (1622) and Zeewijk (1727) shipwrecks and was part of the team reporting the first submerged Aboriginal site in Australia.
Current Research: Conducting a PhD at the University of Western Australia (UWA) on 10,000 years of climate change and indigenous response in Murujuga, WA.

Professional Affiliations: A member of the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology and active in technical diving and site mapping.

MV Perth a NFP are restoring the majestic and historic vessel.MAAWA JUNE SPEAKER is Greg Brown - It's TONIGHT! A two dec...
16/06/2026

MV Perth a NFP are restoring the majestic and historic vessel.
MAAWA JUNE SPEAKER is Greg Brown - It's TONIGHT!

A two deck, double-ended vessel, that made its maiden voyage from Barrack Street in Perth December 20, 1914. it is one of the oldest wooden boats still afloat in WA

A heritage assessment of the vessel has just been completed and concluded that the MV Perth is of the highest significance and should be Conserved and protected.

Greg will talk us through the history, heritage assessment process and conclusions, and his current activities and plans to extend the ferry’s life for another 100 yrs!
June 16th, 2026 – Greg from MV PERTH

6.15pm for a 6.30pm Arrive and mingle.
6.35pm Maawa Update
6.35pm Our Speaker then Q & A
7.15pm Stay and mingle with members
At the Rottnest Island Authority Walyalup Office,
1 Mews Rd, Fremantle.
Free parking is available at Reception and along Mews Rd.

Google has this as a toilet block; we are just behind it.
Come one COME ALL - Bring a friend, ask your neigbour, see if your mum is available!

More details are here:-
https://www.facebook.com/events/2521433994975381/

Our President Trevor and Passionate advocate of MV Perth Greg Brown are having a quick meal BEFORE our June MAAWA Meetin...
15/06/2026

Our President Trevor and Passionate advocate of MV Perth Greg Brown are having a quick meal BEFORE our June MAAWA Meeting.

They've both asked if anyone wants to join them to please do so.
IT IS NOT AT THE MEETING ADDDRESS...
At this stage the place is to be decided so text Trevor on 0412 971797 to work out the details.
Cost is at your own expense, however the company is priceless.
_____________________________________________________

MV Perth a NFP are restoring the majestic and historic vessel.
A two deck, double-ended vessel, that made its maiden voyage from Barrack Street in Perth December 20, 1914. it is one of the oldest wooden boats still afloat in WA

A heritage assessment of the vessel has just been completed and concluded that the MV Perth is of the highest significance and should be Conserved and protected.

Greg will talk us through the history, heritage assessment process and conclusions, and his current activities and plans to extend the ferry’s life for another 100 yrs!
June 16th, 2026 – Greg from MV PERTH

Will be our speaker from 6.15pm on the same night at the Rottnest Island Authority Walyalup Office,
1 Mews Rd, Fremantle.
Free parking is available at Reception and along Mews Rd.
Google has this as a toilet block; we are just behind it.

Come one COME ALL - Bring a friend, ask your neigbour, see if your mum is available!

More details about the TALK are at:-
https://www.facebook.com/events/2521433994975381

CHEYNES III -Thorgrim (1947-1982)Albany diving identity Les Bail arranged for the SS Cheynes III to be scuttled in 1982 ...
11/06/2026

CHEYNES III -Thorgrim (1947-1982)

Albany diving identity Les Bail arranged for the SS Cheynes III to be scuttled in 1982 to create an excellent recreational diving site. The wreck lays in 30 metres of clear water on a slight angle with stern on rocks and the bow in sand. Holes were cut in the hull and bulkheads to make it safe for diving, the wreck has since split in half.

Read more here at
https://shipwreckswa.com/cheynes-iii-thorgrim-1947-1982/

MV Perth a NFP are restoring the majestic and historic vessel.MAAWA JUNE SPEAKER is Greg Brown. A two deck, double-ended...
10/06/2026

MV Perth a NFP are restoring the majestic and historic vessel.
MAAWA JUNE SPEAKER is Greg Brown.

A two deck, double-ended vessel, that made its maiden voyage from Barrack Street in Perth December 20, 1914. it is one of the oldest wooden boats still afloat in WA

A heritage assessment of the vessel has just been completed and concluded that the MV Perth is of the highest significance and should be Conserved and protected.

Greg will talk us through the history, heritage assessment process and conclusions, and his current activities and plans to extend the ferry’s life for another 100 yrs!
June 16th, 2026 – Greg from MV PERTH

6.15pm for a 6.30pm Arrive and mingle.
6.35pm Maawa Update
6.35pm Our Speaker then Q & A
7.15pm Stay and mingle with members
At the Rottnest Island Authority Walyalup Office,
1 Mews Rd, Fremantle.
Free parking is available at Reception and along Mews Rd.

Google has this as a toilet block; we are just behind it.
Come one COME ALL - Bring a friend, ask your neigbour, see if your mum is available!

More details are here:-
https://www.facebook.com/events/2521433994975381/

Address

1 Mews Road
Fremantle, WA
6160

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