Encourage awareness and understanding of the through-life costs of conserving, restoring and maintaining historic vessels;
Make available to the public research into ship preservation and conservation techniques and provide a directory of skills and services;
Promote the availability and standards of ship and boat conservation skills and training, and share experience and expertise across the sector, particularly through establishing a number of centres of excellence;
Develop and promote professional standards of good practice for the conservation and restoration of historic vessels;
Raise awareness among trusts and owners about good practice and fund-raising opportunities;
Provide guidance to trusts and owners about business planning and interpretation to make ships become more self-sustaining and attractive to new audiences;
Advise on documentation and recording techniques in cases where vessels are beyond physical and economic preservation;
Promote the case for historic ships to a wider audience and monitor practice in other countries.