PRESERVING OUR SHIPS FOR POSTERITY – A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MANAGING HISTORIC SHIP PROJECTS

Abstract

Historic ships are an essential part of the United Kingdom’s maritime heritage, but their ongoing conservation faces many challenges. These include an ongoing requirement for maintenance that extends beyond the vessel’s working life, unsustainable financial cycles, and the loss of skills necessary for repairs and restoration. To support the owners of historic ships through conservation projects, Beckett Rankine has developed the “Engineered Conservation” method. This applies a holistic perspective, a focus on the requirements of the vessel and owner, consideration of all key stakeholders, and commitment to proactive and continuous maintenance to achieve sustainable conservation. The principles and application of this method are presented through four case studies, using vessels at different stages in their conservation projects. Through these, the successes and limitations of the engineered conservation method are identified and discussed, allowing conclusions to be drawn on its effectiveness.