Vale Jim Murphy

It is with profound sadness that AWA MARINE announces the passing of our Managing Director, Jim Murphy, on Saturday morning, 29 August 2026, aged 80, following his long and courageous battle with cancer. Jim passed away peacefully with his family by his side.

Born in Ireland, Jim studied Marine Radio and Radar at Southampton College of Technology in the United Kingdom, now known as Solent University, before beginning his career at sea as a radio officer with P&O.

His career took him aboard the Orsova, Arcadia and Canberra cruise ships. He also spent time working aboard tankers in the Middle East, although he much preferred life aboard passenger ships. Naturally outgoing, Jim enjoyed meeting and socialising with passengers and crew from around the world.

It was aboard the Canberra that Jim met Judi, an Australian who became the love of his life. Around 52 years ago, he moved to Australia, where they married, built their life together and raised their family.

Jim was an exceptional Morse code operator, earning a reputation among radio officers internationally as one of the fastest and most skilled operators on the key. It was an ability that reflected his precision, technical expertise and lifelong passion for maritime communications.

In 1995, Jim purchased AWA MARINE and began the defining chapter of his professional life. Over the following 31 years, he devoted himself to the company and became widely known and respected by shipowners, equipment manufacturers, marine service organisations and maritime professionals throughout Australia and around the world.

Jim possessed extraordinary technical knowledge, but his greatest strength was his ability to connect with people. He believed in honouring his word, standing behind his work and treating people with loyalty, fairness and integrity.

For Jim, business was always personal. Customers, partners and colleagues often became close and lifelong friends. His greatest sources of pride were his family, AWA MARINE, its people and the relationships he built throughout his life.

The many messages received since Jim’s passing speak not only of his contribution to the maritime industry, but also of his kindness, humour, generosity and loyalty. Some have come from people who first met Jim as young trainees and remained his friends for more than 30 years. These memories have brought enormous comfort to our family.

Jim’s son, Liam Murphy, said:

“Dad loved AWA MARINE. It was far more than a business to him. It was his life’s work, one of his proudest achievements and, in many ways, an extension of our family.

“Working alongside Dad for many years was one of the greatest privileges of my life. He taught me the industry, but his most important lessons were about people: honour your word, stand behind your team and your customers, and never take another person’s trust for granted.

“With Dad’s passing, I now carry responsibility for continuing the work to which he devoted so much of his life. I understand the significance of what he built and the trust he placed in me and in our team.

“Together with our experienced AWA MARINE team, I will honour the relationships he valued and lead the company into the future with the same care, loyalty and commitment that defined his leadership.

“His values, standards and spirit will remain at the heart of AWA MARINE and everything we do.”

AWA MARINE continues its work throughout Australia and the Philippines, supported by its longstanding management, service and engineering teams and guided by the standards Jim established.

On behalf of the Murphy family and everyone at AWA MARINE, we sincerely thank all those who have shared their condolences, stories and memories of Jim.

Jim will be deeply missed by his family, his colleagues and his many friends throughout the Australian and international maritime community. The values he lived by and the relationships he built will remain part of AWA MARINE for generations to come.