This paper summarises the conservation principles set down in the National Historic Ships UK (NHS-UK) guidance manual Conserving Historic Vessels [1], giving examples of each different approach and the differing impact on a vessel's significance. It underlines the importance of focussing on either a fabric preservation or operational use route and also of identifying the period in the vessel's life to which conservation will date. The use of terminology is addressed, with reference to the increasing way it is being adopted by UK funding bodies. Seven new units in historic vessel conservation have been drafted and, if accredited, will form a new BTEC short course. The NHS-UK publications, together with these units, continue to raise awareness of the need for a better understanding of the conservation options if long-term sustainability is to be achieved for the UK's Historic Fleet.
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