Welcome to the July 2023 Maritime Heritage Trust e-newsletter.
As the only national membership organisation for the maritime preservation sector, we support our members – individual ship owners and small voluntary groups – in caring for the UK's rich maritime heritage and building a strong future for historic vessels.

We look forward to bringing you news from our members, our special events and all things maritime heritage in the UK and beyond.

Please share with others in your organisation

New MHT Website

We have completely overhauled and updated our website partly to provide a new home for Heritage Harbours (see below) and partly to make it easier to navigate and find useful items such as our webinar series on problems and solutions for historic vessels. Big thanks to our webmaster Trevor Godbold who has fitted this in while also being Treasurer, Membership Officer and other things.

We also need your help!
One of the sections features our member organisations where we put together some information and images from your websites and social media.
But does the text describe your organisation correctly?
Can the image be used in this situation?
If changes are needed please email support@maritimeheritage.org.uk.
We'll assume everything is alright unless we hear from you.

Heritage Harbours (and Heritage Inland Ports)

We are delighted to announce the first 10 Heritage Harbours and Heritage Inland Ports. See Location Map

Together with our national partners National Historic Ships UK and Historic England, we are keen to encourage other suitable locations who meet the criteria to come forward. There is guidance and FAQs on the website and we will hold a Zoom for those wishing to come forward.
Email support@maritimeheritage.org.uk if you would like to take part.

Please remember that Heritage Harbour status is just a starting point and statement of recognition and potential that needs ongoing development in each location; it is a great first step.

News from our Members

Sea Change Sailing Trust has yet again pushed the boundaries by obtaining MCA authorization to carry cargo as part of its sail training role in its replica sailing barge (Blue Mermaid, which has no engine) not just for a token amount but in this case up to 110 tonnes – the equivalent of 4 lorryloads. Richard Titchener, Sea Change Executive Officer, would be delighted to hear from anyone with a freight requirement using all or some of this capacity and he can be contacted at richard@seachangesailingtrust.org.uk

Sea Change is also working with Thames Barge Sailing Trust on training for future barge crews in a project supported by Trinity House but what about training for harbour and navigation authorities where younger members of staff may never have had experience of traditional vessels eg those operating without an engine.

Is this something where MHT could bring people together? Please let us have your views and we can consider for our occasional webinar series.

Congratulations to member The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (The Danny) who have received a £98,978 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to set up a project connecting young people with the maritime heritage of Liverpool.

The project, made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, Maritime Heritage – Maritime Futures in the Liverpool City Region will focus on connecting young people with the remaining historic vessels in the area, with the huge importance of the maritime heritage of Liverpool, and with the potential future careers in the sector, as both the heritage and maritime sectors work towards a greener future.

The project includes support for the Danny’s youth development work, all contributing towards securing the future of this unique vessel.

Huge admiration for the restoration team at Boathouse4, Portsmouth who have just successfully carried out the first tests afloat of the Coastal Motor Boat 4R, the reconstructed replica of a World War 1 high speed torpedo boat, one of the National Memorial Fleet, a project funded by LIBOR and HM Treasury.
Visit Boathouse 4 Pontoon Open Days

Delighted to see Paddle Steamer Waverley taking full advantage of the recent excellent summer weather.

Also special cruises on
PS Kingswear Castle

Calling historic vessels visiting the London and the Thames.
High profile weekend visitor berth for historic vessels in the Pool of London.
Hermitage Community Moorings, just downstream from Tower Bridge is able to offer a free weekend visitor berth in connection with its quarterly Community Open Days and reduced rate berthing at other times. The berth is approx 40 metres in length and is supplied with power and water. Hermitage give priority to distinctive vessels with heritage value, welcome international vessels and, if an open day is involved, the ability for people to go on board with crew who can help show them around. Visiting vessels should be suitable for a Thames tidal berth. Expenses may be payable depending on circumstances. If you think your vessel might be suitable, please contact: manager@hcmoorings.org