A 67-page document highlighting regulatory requirements and setting standards for best practice in regard to stability aboard static floating vessels was produced as part of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation-funded project ‘Don’t Rock the Boat’. This project, which ran from September 2024 to January 2025, sought to create a suite of specialist guidance material on stability that would be accessible and usable by custodians of static floating historic vessels, as well as contractors and service providers to the industry.
Many historic vessels have been given a second life as static floating assets, often undergoing significant transformations into museums, restaurants, office spaces, hotels and other publicly accessibly spaces. Yet, until now, there were no policies, procedures or guidance available for vessels once they ceased being operational and became a static floating asset.
Hannah Cunliffe, Director of National Historic Ships UK, said: “I’m delighted to be publishing this essential guidance for static floating historic vessels which we have produced in partnership with maritime consulting engineers Beckett Rankine. Drawing on research from vessel case studies around the UK, it offers practical advice as well as reviewing existing legislation and its applicability to our sector. I look forward to seeing it put to good use and am grateful for the support we received from Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s small grants scheme which made this project possible.”
Tim Beckett, Director of Beckett Rankine, said: “For many years we have been aware that static floating vessels in the UK fall between legislative jurisdictions; they are not buildings so Building Regulations don't apply, and they don't move so the regulations for ships don't apply. This new document provides long overdue and much-needed guidance on best practice for all those who are responsible for the care and maintenance of static floating vessels. While focussed on historic vessels in UK waters, the majority of the guidance is equally relevant to any static floating vessel.
We are very grateful to our partner National Historic Ships UK and to Lloyd’s Register Foundation for financially supporting the project.”
The document is available online and free of charge through the National Historic Ships UK website, and both partner organisations hope to present the new guidance to the sector at upcoming conferences as well as looking for opportunities to build on its legacy with further research.
The full report can be viewed at:
https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/page/dont-rock-boat-project