Heritage Marine Foundation
The Heritage Marine Foundation and its program for training young people is one of the legacies of the Cutty Sark Restoration Project. Back in 2010 Jim Dines of TS Rigging Ltd based at Downs Road Boatyard in Maldon worked on this iconic project to see the ship restored in all her magnificence.
At the time they moved all the masts, spars and rigging to Maldon and took on upwards of 20 young people as well as trainees from various sail training organisations, throughout the project we trained them up to carry out the restoration and installation work on the Masts Spars and Rigging of the ship, now 15 years on we still have a team of riggers and shipwrights working to keep her maintained above deck in the best condition she can be.
All these young people went on to find full time work both in the maritime sector and in other industries based on their involvement with this project.
From this work, the concept of the Heritage Marine Foundation a registered charity was born, our main aim is to preserve and promote traditional maritime skills. This is essential to replace the aging workforce that exists in the traditional maritime industry. These skills are fundamental not only for keeping Cutty Sark and other museum vessels shipshape but to Conserve, Maintain and Operate Traditional Vessels across the globe.
The Foundation having just completed a four year £1.2m project to design and build a new traditional cruising yacht using apprentices for 90% of the work, this program has seen three young people through the process and come out the other end fully qualified to go and seek full time work in the marine industry.
The time has come to step this achievement up and we are now putting together a £3-5m package to restore two 1920s traditional vessels this project will see over 20 young people trained over 4 years , provide a legacy of support and infrastructure for future training and deliver a public engagement program to promote not only traditional vessels but the job opportunities and training within the industry.
This project will culminate with two endangered traditional sailing vessels back as sea and operating to continue in youth development and spread the word to the wider public about the importance of the UK Maritime Heritage as well as the employment and training opportunities that sit within this industry.