Stories

Delve into our flagship programmes, stories, blogs and online exhibitions.

Discover the voices behind our heritage

The Stories section brings together inspiring narratives and historical insights that shape our understanding of maritime heritage and its impact on the current ocean economy. These narratives highlight lessons learned from the past, innovations and technical transitions that protect lives at sea, and the human commitment to safeguarding communities and environments.

Explore our flagship programmes: Learning from the Past, Rewriting Women into Maritime History and Potentially Polluting Wrecks. By fostering collaboration with academic institutions, industry partners, and community stakeholders, through these projects, we enhance our understanding of the challenges facing the maritime sector, and contribute to building a safer, more sustainable, and resilient ocean economy.

Key Themes

Scuba diver exploring a large underwater shipwreck in dark blue waters.

Theme 3: Safety – Shipwrecks and Maritime Disaster

Learning from past maritime disasters to develop a global perspective and integrate lessons learned to advance maritime safety, resilience and sustainability.

People in colourful clothes sorting seafood or fish in a wet market with baskets and plastic crates surrounding them.

Theme 4: Equity & Transparency – Forgotten Voices and Hidden Figures

Uncovering overlooked stories to build a more inclusive narrative that fosters trust and fairness across global maritime history.

Blueprint showing engineering technical drawings on blue background with detailed circular and rectangular component designs and measurements.

Theme 5: Transitions – Ships, Ports and Technical Transition

Understanding transitions to prepare for future challenges and strengthen resilience across the global maritime system.

Flagship programmes

Person in dark clothing searching through archival storage shelves with boxes under fluorescent lighting.

Learning from the Past

Understanding our heritage for a safer, sustainable future.

Scuba diver exploring a sunken submarine wreck in deep blue waters.

Potentially Polluting Wrecks

Leveraging our funding, archive and knowledge network to address the environmental risks posed by hazardous materials in thousands of sunken vessels worldwide.

A lush green wetland landscape with a person in a green sari standing amid vegetation, water and city skyline in background.

Rewriting Women into Maritime History

Uncovering female shipping expertise, experience and leadership to promote gender equity, diversity and inclusion. Founded in the UK, the project is now global.

Latest stories

Black-and-white photograph of a flooded city street, with people navigating by rowing boat past submerged buildings and trees.

This page was published on 06/10/2026

This page is approximately a 6 minute read

Shipwrecks, fires and flooding in the port of La Boca, Buenos Aires

Nestled at the mouth of the Riachuelo river, Buenos Aires' La Boca port has faced centuries of floods, fires, and shipwrecks. By revisiting landmark disasters, including the catastrophic 1940 flood and the 1984 Perito Moreno tanker fire, this project asks: have we truly learned from the past?

Vintage black-and-white photograph of railway flatcars loaded with grain sacks beside towering stacked sacks.

This page was published on 30/09/2026

This page is approximately a 18 minute read

Grain cargoes: Keeping the world fed

Grain has shaped human history as one of the world's most vital traded commodities. From ancient Rome to modern shipping, transporting grain has posed unique challenges, including cargo shifting, spoilage, vermin, and strict safety regulations, while also inspiring legendary "grain races" among rival sailing ships.

Dimly lit ship's bridge with crew at navigation consoles, ocean and sunrise visible through windows.

This page was published on 24/09/2026

This page is approximately a 2 minute read

A Day in the Life of Marine Pilot Captain Kate Delisky

Captain Kate Delisky, a Marine Pilot at the Port of Townsville, offers a glimpse into her dynamic career. With over two decades of maritime experience, Kate's story reflects both the technical demands and quiet rewards of life on the water.

Photograph of a pilot boat approaching the cargo ship "Rubina" at sunset on calm open seas.

This page was published on 24/09/2026

This page is approximately a 1 minute read

Life as South America’s First Female Marine Pilot: Debora Barros

Meet Debora Barros, South America's first female marine pilot, navigating ships at Brazil's southernmost port for over 15 years. Balancing career, motherhood, and a PhD in Oceanography, her story offers an inspiring glimpse into breaking barriers on the open sea.