The Philippine Embassy welcomes the declaration by the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Australia’s Minister for the Environment, of the remains of the United States Army Transport Vessel, USAT Don Isidro, as a protected Historic Shipwreck under Australia’s Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.

The Declaration coincided with the commemoration of the 72nd Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin and the meaningful Ceremony recognizing and honouring the lives and sacrifices of the Filipino Merchant Mariners of USAT Don Isidro organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Darwin, Northern Territory at the Darwin Military Museum on 18 February 2014. A commemorative plaque was unveiled by Ambassador Belen F. Anota and Hon. Peter Styles MLA, Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

The vessel is testament to the service and sacrifice of these Filipino merchant mariners in the military history of Australia.

The USAT Don Isidro now joins the American merchant ship SS Florence D as shared heritage sites associated with the defense of the Philippines protected by the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 in Australian Waters.