In 2013, National Historic Ships UK carried out a public consultation on plans to review the National Registers using a new assessment methodology. You can read more and see the summary of responses.

Following this, funding proposals were submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) for grant aid to enable a dedicated project team to undertake a full-scale review. Unfortunately, due to the economic climate, it has not yet been possible to secure the level of financial support needed to undertake this work within a set timeframe.

A first phase of the Review is therefore being carried out in-house by a working group comprised of NHS-UK staff, volunteers and co-opted vessel specialists. It is an ongoing process, with vessels assessed on a group-by-group basis, starting with those built as service craft. 

This page will be updated with the latest news on the Registers Review, as well as any requests for information from the working group so vessel custodians should revisit regularly.

Please note, if you do not own a vessel in the group currently under review, we will not be able to undertake an assessment for the National Historic Fleet until such time as your vessel type comes up for consideration.  This is because we assess vessels within groups of like craft rather than on a case-by-case basis.  

If you wish to ensure your vessel record is ready for assessment in due course, we encourage you to work with us to produce a statement of significance to our guidelines.  We appreciate your patience whilst the Review is ongoing.

Tugs Group

During 2024 - 2025, the Registers Review working group assessed and scored 104 historic tugs which comprise 5% of all vessels on the National Registers. A total of 11 tugs were listed on the Fleet following this Review, ten of which retained their original status and one which was newly assessed as being sufficiently significant to merit this recognition.

To read a summary of this piece of work, our research and findings, plus a breakdown of all vessels in the tugs group, please download our Report.

Rescue Group

During 2021-2024, the Registers Review working group assessed and scored 157 historic lifeboats which comprise 10% of all vessels on the National Registers, with three more vessels scored since then. These included both RNLI lifeboats and private rescue craft.  As of May 2025, a total of 16 lifeboats were listed on the Fleet following this Review, five of which retained their existing status and 11 of which were newly assessed as being sufficiently significant to merit this recognition.

To read a summary of this piece of work, our research and findings, plus a breakdown of all vessels in the rescue group and any updates since 2024, please download our Updated Report.

Pilotage Group

Our working group is currently assessing vessels within the Pilotage Group which comprises light vessels, pilot vessels and tenders. 59 pilotage vessels have been identified as listed on the National Register of Historic Vessels and a full report will be published on these once all assessments have been completed. In the meantime, we encourage any custodians of pilotage vessels to ensure their entries on the Register are accurate and fully updated.