After 15 years sailing the world’s oceans aboard traditional tall ships, Sydney-based skipper Marty made a pivotal move in 2007 — to stay ashore and save maritime history for future generations. Nearly two decades later, Marty’s company, Sydney Tall Ships, still operates multiple vessels.

“When the tall ship Bounty was sold to Hong Kong without a goodbye, and the Southern Swan was sitting half-sunk in Sydney Harbour, something had to be done,” he recalls. “Sydney is a world-class harbour. We needed to keep something beautiful and historic on the water.”

Nearly two decades later, Marty’s company, Sydney Tall Ships, operates multiple vessels offering immersive sailing experiences — and leading the charge in sustainable operations.“We were the first company on the harbour that’s carbon neutral,” says Marty. “We use electric forklifts, we recycle, and now we’re building a hybrid-powered tall ship.”

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That ship — Southern Swan — has been retrofitted with a custom gearbox designed to accept an electric motor. “The engine system is already set up for hybrid conversion. Once we drop the electric motor and batteries in, we’re sailing cleaner,” he explains.

The project is ahead of schedule, with the White Bay precinct set to require carbon neutrality by 2030. Marty’s crew is already laying the groundwork — and the movement is gaining traction.“We’re seeing a global trend back toward sail-powered cargo,” he says. “We’re just adapting it here in Australia — future-proofing these ships.”

Marty’s passion for sustainable transport doesn’t end at sea. He’s been riding a FONZ Moto electric scooter for years, calling it a no-brainer.“It’s unbelievable value. I’ve ridden loud dirt bikes all my life, but the FONZ Moto is so quiet and smooth. Your neighbours love you.”

Initially picked up for harbour commutes through Sydney, the FONZ Moto soon became a family thing. “My daughter rides one now too. It’s such an easy way to move around the city — no fuel, no fuss.” While electric cars remain out of reach for many, FONZ offers an accessible entry point into clean mobility.

“Anyone can afford one. That’s the difference. You don’t need to drop tens of thousands to make a change.” With Southern Swan now listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels, Marty sees both preservation and innovation as equally vital.

“These ships were sailing 27 years before engines existed. We’re just modernising them — with technology that’s user-friendly and built to last at sea.”

The hybrid project uses a clutch system to disengage the diesel engine and allow full electric propulsion via a drop-in setup. “We’ve designed it so you can bolt in the electric motor and go. No specialist laptops or diagnostics needed.”

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For Marty, it’s all about legacy — preserving the past while embracing the future. “These ships will outlast us,” he says. “We’re just custodians. It’s our job to pass them on better than we found them.”

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