The Martha is one of a small resource of Asian-built vessels wrecked in Australia built in the South-East Asian geographic region, as opposed to in the Indian sub-continent. It is the only vessel built in Thailand wrecked in Victoria.
Although the site has not been located, if identifiable remains are found they will have high archaeological and technical significance on this basis alone, as no comparative research has been carried out on the design and construction for different types and sizes of South-East Asian built vessels. It has historical significance as a vessel owned by the Apollo Bay Timber Company involved in the Otway timber trade, and it represents an important, early phase in the development of both Lorne and Apollo Bay.