ABOUT US

Heritage Marine Foundation – Based out of Downs Road Boatyard, Maldon, Essex. The Foundation focuses on giving future generations the skills to Conserve, Maintain and Operate historically significant vessels and in doing so provides training and work experience to those unable to sponsor themselves through a dedicated programme.

We understand that many trades in the traditional maritime industry such as shipwrighting, rigging and sail making are becoming endangered due to aging professionals, lack of funding, short supply of certain materials and a lack of recognised qualifications and training.

This is why we believe the time is crucial to train and give young people the funding and experiences they need to go out and carry on these traditional skills in the maritime industry for the future of our historic fleet.

To deliver a meaningful training programme, the foundation is looking to carry out the complete restoration of two historically significant vessels that are in danger of being lost to the wider public.

One being the riveted iron Thames Sailing Barge Wilfred, the other is the Brixham Trawler Torbay Lass. Built in 1923 by R. Jackman & Sons for Alf Lovis, Torbay Lass was one of the last Brixham Trawlers to be built. The rebuild of Torbay Lass will be managed by a lead shipwright with 6 young people getting hands on experience of rebuilding a 102-year-old wooden sailing vessel.

Apprentices

The apprentices tell us that one of the benefits of their apprenticeship at Heritage Marine Foundation is that their apprenticeship is tailored to suit their own skills and interests – it is not one-size-fits-all. This enables young people to specialise in areas such as rigging, metalworking, engineering or woodworking and develop their skills and qualifications accordingly. Apprentices are also trained on real projects in a real working boatyard. We are able to give them a very wide range of opportunities by including them in projects that the other businesses at the yard are involved in. Examples of this are that Heritage Marine Apprentices have been involved in the maintenance of the ‘Cutty Sark’ and ‘HMS Gannet’ as well as other museum ships, and have also travelled abroad to take part in marine work in the film industry.

To advance maritime heritage for the public benefit in particular but not exclusively by:

• Ensuring  future generations have the skills to Conserve, Maintain and Operate  historically significant vessels

• Advancing the education of the public and raising awareness of maritime heritage

• Advancing environmental protection

• Researching and promoting sustainable  methods of fishing,  particularly under sail.

• Researching and promoting sustainable  methods of transporting freight, particularly under sail.

• Carrying out research and educating the public into the prevention of pollution at sea.