The Long-Lost Wreckage of the MV Blythe Star Finally Discovered After 50 Years of Loss

Thursday - May 18 2023, 15:11 UTC - 1 year ago

Nearly 50 years after it sank off the coast of Tasmania, the MV Blythe Star's long-lost wreckage has finally been found. Ten crew members escaped from the ship, but tragically one crew member perished. The discovery of the ship provides closure to a family tragedy, and also highlighted the importance of improved safety measures for the maritime industry.

Nearly 50 years after it sank off the coast of Tasmania, the MV Blythe Star's long-lost wreckage has finally been found, thanks to a CSIRO inquiry. The ship's location was verified by CSIRO and University of Tasmania experts who discovered the wreck while looking into subsurface landslides.

The discoveries provide answers to a 50-year-old mystery and highlight the perils that maritime personnel must deal with.

On October 13, 1973, the MV Blythe Star had a frightening series of occurrences while traveling from Hobart to King Island. The ship continued to list to the starboard side and finally started to take on water, which caused it to capsize.

An inflatable life raft let ten crew members escape, and they faced a trying nine-day struggle at sea in terrible weather. Tragically, throughout this terrifying voyage, one crew member perished.

Nine crew members left Deep Glen Bay on a dangerous journey after the MV Blythe Star sank. Due to hypothermia and exhaustion, two crew members perished. On October 26, survivors were rescued after waving down a passing driver.

--- Decades of mystery unraveled --- .

Over the years, considerable effort was made to find the debris, but the MV Blythe Star eluded searchers. The debris was unexpectedly discovered by the CSIRO and University of Tasmania research team while deep in their investigation of subsurface landslides, around 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometers) west of Tasmania's South West Cape.

Map information and video photos were used to validate the discovery, which showed a small number of algae and seaweed growing on the ship's exterior. Notably, the wheelhouse was gone, and the stern was broken. Crayfish, schools of fish, and many fur seals swimming about the submerged ship were all seen on camera by the researchers.

--- Closure and safety measures --- .

After decades of searching, the location of the MV Blythe Star's last resting place has been confirmed. The CSIRO was pleased with the results and stated that they now have a clear explanation for the ship's whereabouts. Additionally, this discovery is a sobering reminder of the risks that marine personnel endure.

Australia's marine regulations underwent significant modifications as a result of the tragedy of the MV Blythe Star. A maritime position reporting system was created as a result, considerably boosting maritime safety measures. This system decreases the risks sailors experience, which guarantees greater tracking and communication for vessels.

The minister for the local government, regional development, transport, and infrastructure, Catherine King, emphasized the significance of the shipwreck as a warning of the dangers faced by maritime employees.

The MV Blythe Star's discovery not only brings comfort to the grieving families and friends of those who perished, but it also serves as evidence of the continued efforts to increase safety in Australian waterways.