How to make a request

Any person can make a request under the Act - there are no restrictions on your age, nationality, or where you live.

All you have to do is write to (or email) National Historic Ships UK, making sure that you include:

  • your name
  • an address where you can be contacted
  • a description of the information that you want.

You should try to describe the information you want in as much detail as possible - for example "minutes of the meeting where the decision to do X was made", rather than "everything you have about X".  This will help us find the information you need.

We will comply with your request promptly, and will make our best endeavours to  provide the information to you within 20 working days (around a month).  If we need more time, we will write to you and tell you when we will be able to answer your request, and why we need more time.

You can ask for any information at all - although some of this information may already be published on our website and we would suggest that you make this your starting point.  Some information might be withheld to protect various interests (such as information which may lead to an individual’s personal rights being compromised).  If this is case, we will tell you that we have withheld information and why.

If you ask for information about yourself, then your request will be handled under the Data Protection Act.  You have slightly different rights to this information, different fees apply and public authorities have longer to respond to these requests.

What it costs

Most requests are free. You might be asked to pay a small amount for making photocopies or postage.

If we think that it will cost more than £450 to find the information and prepare it for release, then we can turn down your request.  In this case we might ask you to narrow down your request by being more specific in the information you're looking for.

Your right of appeal

If your request is refused, you may first ask us for an internal review of their decision.  An officer in National Historic Ships UK who was not connected with the initial decision will carry out this review. 

The information you receive

You may request that the information be given to you in a particular form.  However, we may take into account the cost of supplying the information in this form before complying with your request.  In particular, you may ask for information in permanent form, in summary form, or for permission to inspect records containing the information.

It might also be possible for us to supply the information in audio format, in large type, or translated into another language where there is a reasonable demonstrable need.

We do not place restrictions on how you may use the information you receive under it.  However, supplying information does not transfer copyright in any information supplied under it.  If you plan to re-produce the information you receive, you should ensure that you will not be breaching the Data Protection Act or anyone's copyright by doing so.