National Historic Ships launches Don’t Rock the Boat project

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This page was published on 30/10/2024

'Don't Rock the Boat' is a Lloyd's Register Foundation-funded project by National Historic Ships UK (NHS-UK) in partnership with Beckett Rankine to create a suite of specialist guidance material on stability that will be accessible and usable by custodians of static floating historic vessels, as well as contractors and service providers to the industry.

About the project

Many vessels listed on the National Registers of Historic Vessels have been given a second life as static floating assets, often undergoing significant transformations into museums, restaurants, office spaces, hotels and other publicly accessibly spaces. Yet there are currently no policies, procedures or guidance available for vessels which cease being operational and become a static floating asset.

In partnership with Beckett Rankine, this project will consider regulatory requirements and set standards of best practice to enable owners to assess, manage and improve the safety of their assets. Research into both UK and international practice will be undertaken to gather case studies demonstrating successful transformations of historic craft, as well as those who have experienced stability issues as a result of alterations made.  With new guidance in place, the project will reduce risk, safeguard significance and prevent avoidable accidents or future vessel losses.

NHS-UK is currently gathering case studies for this project, if you believe that a vessel under your custody is relevant to this matter, or you have information regarding this, please get in touch at info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk.

The new stability guidance publication will be made freely available on the project’s page once completed, as well as announced through NHS-UK's website, newsletter, and social media channels.