Britain's historic vessels and maritime heritage to be protected with multi-million-pound boost

Britain's historic vessels and maritime heritage are set to be protected thanks to a new £3million investment.

The funding will be used in Scotland for the restoration of a historic fishing boat in Fife, the preservation of the Longhope Lifeboat Museum and Station in Orkney, and sector-wide initiatives led by National Historic Ships UK.

Much of Britain's maritime heritage is thought to be under threat, with around 30 per cent of vessels in the National Historic Fleet considered "at risk".

The nation's seafaring history was one of several priority areas identified as needing support by the National Lottery Heritage Fund under its Heritage 2033 strategy.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

The chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund warned the skills and organisations needed to care for historic vessels were "under increasing pressure".

Eilish McGuinness said: "Historic vessels are a remarkable part of the UK’s heritage, representing industrial and coastal history, and encapsulating the stories of communities and places."

The investment from National Lottery players will ensure the historic vessels last for generations by helping to "revive endangered skills, boost the capacity and resilience needed to safeguard these vessels", she added.

The nationwide National Historic Ships UK will receive £1.2million to identify historic vessels most in need of support and help custodians through grants, specialist advice and training.

Hannah Cunliffe, director of National Historic Ships UK, said: "We are delighted to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we can now develop our plans to strengthen and support the historic vessel sector."

The Longhope Lifeboat Museum Trust, on the island of Hoy in Orkney, Scotland, has been granted more than £1.6million.

The museum honours generations of Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crews, including the eight crew members who died in the 1969 Longhope lifeboat disaster.

Funding will support conservation of the RNLB Thomas McCunn, the only fully seaworthy, vintage, slipway-launched lifeboat, and restoration of its station.

BRITAIN'S HERITAGE - READ MORE:

• RAF museum ranked one of the world's top attractions on TripAdvisor
• First-of-its-kind exhibition on Britain's nuclear testing opens to the public
• Historic medieval church tower to be restored to former glory after funding worth thousands secured

It will also be used to improve the museum through new research and a and a visitor centre.

Kevin Kirkpatrick, chair of the board of trustees at Longhope Lifeboat Museum, said: "We are absolutely delighted by this news. Your support ensures that the museum stays safe and open; our vintage lifeboat, collections and archives are preserved, and in the new visitor centre, the stories of our past continue to inspire our future."

In Fife, the Cellardyke Trust secured £1.2million to rebuild Manx Beauty, a fishing vessel which dates back to the 1930s.

The Waid Academy, a secondary school in Anstruther, will be home to a temporary working boatyard to allow pupils and local residents the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through accredited training, apprenticeships, work experience and volunteering.

Once restored, the Manx Beauty will return to Anstruther Harbour as a working heritage vessel.

Richard Wemyss, chair of the Cellardyke Trust, said: "We are delighted to hear the news of this award. Cellardyke Trust are now looking forward to getting started with the project and creating meaningful opportunities for our community."

Previous investment through the Heritage Fund has gone to the Pioneer Sailing Trust, which used the funds to recruit 12 apprentices to its heritage boat restoration programme and plans to welcome a further 12 this autumn.

The funds are intended to secure both the vessels and specialist skills needed to continue preserving Britain's maritime heritage.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter