The HMAS Voyager Survivors Association will gather at Voyager Park, Huskisson to mark Australia's worst peacetime disaster.

The aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and the destroyer HMAS Voyager collided during night flying operations 20 nautical miles (37 kilometres) off Point Perpendicular on February 10, 1964.

Melbourne struck Voyager at 8.56pm, the carrier's bow striking just behind the bridge and cutting the destroyer in two.

Of the 314 aboard Voyager, 82 were killed, most of whom died immediately or were trapped in the heavy bow section, which sank after 10 minutes.

A civilian dockyard worker also lost his life.

The rest of the ship sank after midnight.

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The collision resulted in a massive rescue effort from the Melbourne crew and personnel from HMAS Creswell and aircraft from the Naval Air Station Nowra, HMAS Albatross.

Melbourne, although damaged, suffered no fatalities, and was able to sail to Sydney the next morning with most of the Voyager survivors aboard - the rest had been taken to HMAS Creswell.

Brenda Hannah, whose husband John, is the secretary of the survivor's association said this year's commemoration will be a "very different due to COVID-19".

"None of our interstate members will be attending this year," she said.

"They just don't know what might happen with borders closing and the like, which we all fully understand."

At this stage 20 people will attend the commemoration service, including nine Voyager survivors.

The service, which is open to the public, will get underway at Huskisson at 8.45pm.

A naval catafalque party will be part of the service which will be led by HMAS Creswell Chaplain, Martin Monaghan, while two naval personnel will also read the Ode.

The usual formal dinner has been cancelled due to COVID, but the survivors' group members will be meet for lunch the following day at The Huskisson (hotel).

Six survivors will also attend the annual Voyager dinner at HMAS Creswell on the Friday evening.

Unfortunately COVID restrictions have meant a service which is also held at the naval college has had to be postponed.

Of the 200 plus personnel rescued Mrs Hannah said it is believed a further 83 have now passed away.

Voyager lies in 600 fathoms (1100m) of water, 20 nautical miles (37km) from Point Perpendicular on a bearing of 120°.

The collision has been the subject of two royal commissions.