A chance opportunity led him to Australian Shipbuilding Industries. What was meant to be a few weeks of work as a trade assistant turned into a 42-year career in the marine industry.
From assisting boilermakers and cleaning hulls to designing bespoke steel and timber cradles for vessels, Steve’s hands-on experience grew steadily. He worked on slipways, launched new ship builds and eventually found himself managing complex docking operations. A shoulder injury during a vessel launch led him to light duties and a dockmaster’s course, where he became the first civilian to complete naval dockmaster training at HMAS Stirling.
Since 1997, Steve has served continuously as a dockmaster, overseeing operations at multiple facilities including the ship lift at BAE Systems and the floating dock at the Australian Marine Complex and Common User Facility (AMC CUF).
My role demands precision, calm leadership, and a deep understanding of engineering and logistics, as well as the ability to see through complexity.
One of Steve’s most remarkable projects was the decommissioning of the ex-HMAS Sirius, a naval supply vessel too large to lift in one piece. The solution? Cut the ship in half while it was still in the water.
Divers used Broco cutting tools to slice through the steel underwater, while oxy torches and diamond wire saws handled the rest. The operation required docking the ship in multiple sections, draining ballast water, and transporting each piece using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). It was a nine-month feat of engineering, coordination, and problem-solving involving hundreds of people across multiple companies.
Steve’s calm approach and collaborative style were key. “You’ve got to keep a calm head,” he says. “If you lose it, it doesn’t help anyone. Yelling doesn’t get the job done.”
The transition to AMC CUF being managed by Ventia marked a new chapter in Steve’s career. As operations shifted from previous management, Steve was instrumental in maintaining continuity and transferring and upholding rigorous safety standards and transferring operational processes. His deep knowledge and steady leadership ensured docking operations remained seamless, secure, and compliant.
Outside of work, Steve finds peace on the ocean. A long-time fan of sailing, he’s spent countless hours aboard yachts, navigating the waters off the WA coast. Whether racing or cruising, the time spent sailing and the challenge of the wind have been a source of escape and clarity.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being out there, it’s where I can really switch off and clear my head.
Today, Steve works with a team of dockmasters, engineers, and operators, coordinating with contractors like divers and line handlers to ensure safe and efficient operations. His work is not just about lifting ships it’s about bring teams together, pushing boundaries and thinking outside the box to solve problems.
Whether it’s building a cradle in two days or managing a billion-dollar submarine docking, Steve’s story is one of resilience, ingenuity, and going further to redefine service excellence and get the job done for the customer.