Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia - MAAWA

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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 underwater 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

15/10/2026

What a find!

15/10/2026

Wow!!! Just wow- what a find!

Lucretia's Batavia Diary: A first-hand account of living through the most astonishing saga of shipwreck, massacre, survi...
15/10/2026

Lucretia's Batavia Diary:
A first-hand account of living through the most astonishing saga of shipwreck, massacre, survival, rescue and retribution in maritime history.

Author: Howard Gray
Perspective: Written as a first-person fictionalized diary through the eyes of Lucretia van der Mijlen, a high-class passenger traveling to join her husband in the East Indies.

Historical Accuracy: While framed as a fictional diary, the timeline, settings, and core historical facts remain true to the real events.

Books on shipwrecks are so interesting!

Did you know MAAWA has a library and soon we're hoping to have it all catalogued and available for members to borrow and/or stay in a read!

Its one of our missions to achieve!

YOU’RE INVITED! EVERYONE IS WELCOME….Our October MAAWA Meeting.Dr Corioli Souter | Head of Maritime HeritageState/Nation...
13/10/2026

YOU’RE INVITED! EVERYONE IS WELCOME….

Our October MAAWA Meeting.
Dr Corioli Souter | Head of Maritime Heritage
State/National UCH Legislation, UNESCO 2001 Convention, happenings with ICOMOS-ICUCH

The protection of underwater cultural heritage is governed by national legislation. These frameworks target shipwrecks and submerged artifacts against looting, climate change, and pollution.

Tuesday 20th October 2026
6.15pm for a 6.30pm Arrive and mingle.
6.30pm Maawa Update
6.40pm Our Speaker then Q & A (usually duration 1hr)

Then please stay and mingle.... ask us if you'd like a coffee or tea!
At the Rottnest Island Authority Walyalup Office,
1 Mews Rd, Fremantle.
Free parking is available at the front and along Mews Rd.

About Dr Corioli Souter
Corioli is a curator, archaeologist, and Head of the Department of Maritime Heritage. She has been a practicing archaeologist since 1992 undertaking archaeological fieldwork, research, exhibition development, film documentaries and capacity building and teaching in Australia and abroad.

She is a member of ICOMOS International Committee in the Underwater Heritage (ICUCH).

Come and listen to hear MORE….

We’re so EXCITED by this event, it’s going to be so INTERESTING!
Please RSVP by hit GOING or INTERESTED on this event page, THANK YOU!
Plus there is MORE information on our event page.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1046787181094722

Yesterday was a great day at the Shipwrecks Museum in Fremantle.As part of the Totally Lit Festival there were a number ...
12/10/2026

Yesterday was a great day at the Shipwrecks Museum in Fremantle.

As part of the Totally Lit Festival there were a number of talks all weekend both at the museum and the Fremantle Prison all super interesting.

But it also gave us a bit of time to look around.

When was the last time you visited the museum, GOSH ITS INTERESTING!

Here are some photos connected to PEOPLE from shipwrecks, there are so many layers to this maritime world.

47 Cliff St, Fremantle WA 6160
https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/shipwrecks
Open every day till 5pm

ROTTNEST ISLAND WADJEMUP6 7 8 November 2026All those CONFIRMED should have all your details via email. THANK YOU to the...
11/10/2026

ROTTNEST ISLAND WADJEMUP
6 7 8 November 2026
All those CONFIRMED should have all your details via email.

THANK YOU to the awesome members who wanted to join us, we have managed to fit in everyone.

If you haven't received your email yet please email us at [email protected]

This is going to be EPIC, FUN and INCLUSIVE
Now just pray for PERFECT weather.

So you have an interest in underwater archaeology as a volunteer. Steps to Get Involved• Get Certified in Scuba: Earn yo...
10/10/2026

So you have an interest in underwater archaeology as a volunteer.

Steps to Get Involved
• Get Certified in Scuba: Earn your basic open-water scuba certification, then build experience to achieve neutral buoyancy so you do not kick up sediment or damage delicate artifacts.

• Take Specialized Courses: Complete introductory non-diver and diver training through organizations like the Australasian Institute of Maritime Archaeology (AIMA) or the Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS), which teach site mapping, measuring, and underwater law.

• Join Citizen Science Projects: Participate in community-led research initiatives like GIRT Scientific Divers, which train the public to monitor and record underwater cultural heritage safely.

• Volunteer with Museums and Societies: Connect with regional groups like the Western Australian Maritime Museum or local maritime archaeological associations to help with non-invasive surveys, archival research, or artifact documentation.

Come to our meetings and connect up with like minded people perhaps already doing projects.
Our next one is 20th October and the details are here
https://www.facebook.com/events/1046787181094722/

The Samuel Wright is one of five wooden wrecks buried on the Koombana Bay foreshore.JB Osgood, a merchant of Salem, was ...
03/10/2026

The Samuel Wright is one of five wooden wrecks buried on the Koombana Bay foreshore.

JB Osgood, a merchant of Salem, was a part owner of the ship and also the manager of the vessel.

The ship was used as a whaler and had visited the WA coast in 1837.

Under the command of Francis Coffin and with a crew of 33, the Samuel Wright departed Salem on 4 May 1839 to go whaling in the Indian Ocean and along the southern coast of Australia.

It called at Albany in March 1840.

By the time it anchored in Koombana Bay in July 1840, it had obtained 30 tuns of s***m oil, 36 tuns of black oil and 5 tons of whalebone.

Wooden ship Umgeni, built 1864, 366 tons, State Library of South Australia, PRG-1373-19-6

More details are here:-
https://shipwreckswa.com/samuel-wright-1831-1840/

Address

1 Mews Road
Fremantle, WA
6160

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