Petition Protecting floating maritime heritage

I wish to express my deep concern at the increased loss to the United Kingdom of historic ships, especially those from the West Country, from sale abroad or rot and rust. Will he initiate a process to give historic ships the same legal protection as historic buildings. If historic ships must be licensed for sale abroad, ensure the licence includes conditions that ensure continued appearance at UK festivals at intervals.

Summer maritime festivals, which are free and attract 200,000 people a year in Bristol alone, are the most direct opportunity to improve awareness. The loss of sponsorship has seen the number of ships on show drop sharply. I ask Ministers to ensure the Lottery sets up a substantial “appearance and interpretation fund” which would support appearances at these harbour festivals, as in the splendid Jubilee parade. It would deepen public understanding through much improved presentations of the history of the ships.