iscover
ASC apprentices and graduates will support essential repairs on the damaged-but-beloved Australian 1850s-style tall ship, STS Leeuwin II.
The three-masted 55-metre-long sail training ship had previously been a staple for sailing training for young people across Western Australia. However, it sustained significant damage when it was struck by a 332-metre-long container ship while tied up alongside at Fremantle Port on 30 August last year.
Under the major restoration project, ASC is supporting the restoration through works to be completed by its fabrication apprentices, graduate structural engineers, graduate mechanical engineers and technical trade trainers. ASC graduate mechanical engineers will provide consultation alongside construction by ASC fabrication apprentices, under the guidance of ASC technical trade trainers.
ASC first-year graduate structural engineer Esha, who started the two-year ASC Graduate Engineer Program in July 2025, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing how the Leeuwin restoration progresses. It makes me feel proud knowing that my work is contributing to getting it back to sea.”
The works include repair to the ship’s mast and rigging, a complete rebuild of the ship’s small gangway, used for temporary docking, replacement of the dory davit, used for swinging small aluminium boats, as well as new design and build of the main gangway, used for longer-term docking. There will also be replacement of radar pedestal and radio antenna.
The ship is currently stationed at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson in Western Australia.
Harry, an ASC third-year fabrication apprentice who started his four-year ASC apprenticeship in January 2022, recently achieved a medallion of excellence at the WorldSkills Australia national competition for construction steelwork.
“I enjoy working at ASC; it’s an exciting opportunity because it’s a unique industry,” he said.
“Most of the fabrication work I do happens at Quill Way, ASC’s Apprentice Training Centre. That’s the hub for our WA apprentices to learn before we join a crew for sustainment activities on a Collins Class submarine at the Henderson Precinct.
“The trade trainers are always ready to help us; they’re our teachers and supporters. Without their support, my journey would be very different ... I wouldn’t have gone to the WorldSkill competition for example.”
In 2025, ASC welcomed 41 new apprentices: 12 undertaking electrical, 12 undertaking fabrication, 17 undertaking mechanical trades. Of that intake, 21 commenced in WA with the highest ever apprentice intake in the west.
In 2025, ASC also welcomed 40 new graduates as future submarine engineers and designers, project managers, cyber security specialists, and people and culture professionals.
ASC third-year fabrication apprentice Seth started his four-year ASC apprenticeship in January 2022.
“The quality standards at ASC make me a better fabricator and tradesperson … I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can from all the experience and expertise the team has at ASC,” he said.
“I work both at ASC’s Quill Way Apprentice Training Centre and its main facility at Henderson. Working on a submarine is much more difficult, with the confined spaces and tricky positions you often need to work in. But there’s always someone around you that gives you advice and experience that I can learn from.”
