National Historic Ships: Heritage Protection Bill

[Dreadnought]

Members may remember that last year a petition was submitted to Downing Street:


We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Amend the draft Heritage Protection Bill to extend protection to historic ships


The basis of the petition being ..

"Numerous vessels of significant maritime importance have been, and continue to be lost to the Nation.

As an Island nation, our maritime history is inextricably linked to our evolution, our prosperity and our survival, both in times of peace and in war.

Historic vessels carry the least protection of any heritage assets in the UK. It is time that our historic ships were afforded the same protection as our historic buildings, in order that present and future generations may get the opportunity to enjoy, and appreciate our rich maritime history."

The Government has now responed as follows:


The Government’s draft Heritage Protection Bill will ensure that where historic ships are permanently fixed in one location, they will, as is currently the case, continue to be eligible for protection. However, they must be deemed to be of sufficient special historic, archaeological, architectural or artistic interest.

Although it was not included in the legislative programme for 2009-10, the Government remains committed to the Bill. It recognises, however, that there are unresolved issues with regard to historic ships, and so will continue to discuss their specific needs with National Historic Ships, the expert committee which advises Government on the preservation of such vessels.



So I guess that's a 'no' then .... why am I not surprised.

[Scurs]

A government hell bent on destroying what is left of the RN, is hardly likely to be concerned about preserving naval history!:(

[harry.gibbon]

Just been looking at the National Historic Ships website and their register of ships which includes HMS Belfast, HMS Cavalier, HM S/M Alliance, HMS Bronington and HMS Caroline amongst their numbers... clearly some are doing better than others and all are owned (as far as I can tell) by organisations other than the National Historic Ships organisation.

So had a look at who is on the Advisory Committee, as one does; and decided better that I put a link to the site here, so we may all peruse their activities for ourselves remembering of course they are the Expert Committee which advises the Government of the day:-

http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/pages/who-we-are.html

Little h

[Dreadnought]

Very good idea Little H ... thanks

[steve roberts]

Good Thread,just look at poor old CAVALIER and PLYMOUTH,shoved from Pillar to Post by the companies owning them,just to earn another quid! Not to mention DISCOVERY and BRITTANIA.:mad:

[mik43]

Thanks for the link little h, glad to see the extensive experience and knowledge that the merry band of brothers has regarding all things RN.....NOT!!

Mik

[harry.gibbon]

Mik, that is why I posted that element of the site and not the home page.

One gets close having a couple of years as a Director of RN Museum at Pompey, but how much time is devoted to the entity, well... some Directors are notoriously part time what with their culture of 'job sharing'.

Little h