National Historic Ships (UK) has launched Shipshape Network – a new initiative to promote skills relating to historic vessel conservation. The UK-wide Network will reach out to all those with an interest in ship preservation, providing a communications and marketing framework for the sector.

The associated website includes the National Directory of Skills & Services, offering free listings for over 500 specialised craftsmen and facilities. Shipshape Network has focussed particularly on four key regions, where a natural concentration of maritime services has been identified around a body of water – Mersey, Thames Estuary, Solent & Bristol Channel. National Historic Ships will be working with organisations and individuals within these areas to promote regeneration of skills via increased training opportunities.

Shipshape Mersey is the first region to announce a flagship training project of this kind.£110K has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) under its Skills for the Future programme* to the National Waterways Museum, in partnership with National Historic Ships. This grant will promote furtherance of skills via a training scheme at the Heritage Boatyard, Ellesmere Port. Three 18-month training placements will be funded, covering boat repair and shipwright skills, practical boat handling techniques, and an understanding of the ethics behind historic vessel conservation.

Full press release (pdf)