Mick Doleman started his occupational life as a maritime worker within the domestic waters of Australia at the age of 16, following his father into the profession.
He first came to prominence when, at the age of eighteen, he was a crew member of the Blythe Star which sank while travelling from Hobart to King Island.
Doleman was among the seven crew who were found eleven days later on the Forestier Peninsula having escaped to the liferaft when ship suddenly capsized and sank off South West Cape, Tasmania; three lives were lost.
He subsequently gave evidence at the Dunphy enquiry into the sinking of the Blythe Star into the ship's master's failure of duty.
Doleman explained that enquiry led to significant changes in reporting of maritime schedules and mandatory requirements for the carrying of EPIRBs.