In 2024, the UK joined many countries in signing the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Convention looks at Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) or ‘living heritage’, which is cultural heritage, including folklore, performance, customs and craft, that is living and practiced.
Following this, the UK is setting up inventories of living heritage in the UK. There are four separate inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and these will combine into one inventory of living heritage in the UK.
National Historic Ships UK (NHS-UK) is working to ensure that significant maritime skills and techniques are included within the Inventory, including those trades that are already listed within the Red List of Endangered Crafts managed by the Heritage Crafts Association. We have been liaising with organisations and individuals across the UK who practice key maritime skills to ensure they are aware of the Inventory.
Expressions of interest have now been registered for traditional seamanship (led by NHS-UK), wooden boatbuilding (led by the Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association), sailmaking (led by the University of the Highlands & Islands), knot tying and rope making (led by the International Guild of Knot Tyers), and canal art and boat painting (led by The Heritage Crafter). These can be seen online here, along with other submitted elements. Discussions are taking place regarding an entry for traditional rigging.
The submission for traditional seamanship which is being authored by NHS-UK focusses on the skills associated with lug, gaff, sprit and square rig sailing. It highlights the operation of these craft in a way that reflects their original design and function, taking into account specifics of the rig structure, weight of gear and shape of the hull. This entry builds on the learning encapsulated in our Traditional Seafarer Introductory Certificate and our completed Shipshape Heritage Training Partnership (SHTP) scheme.
The deadline for full submissions to the Inventory is 27 March 2026 and each entry must have community consent from those who currently practice the heritage. The Old Gaffers Association, Sailing Barge Association, Association of Bargemen, Maritime Heritage Trust and members of the NHS-UK Lug Rig Forum are assisting us in gathering consent for the traditional seamanship entry. We welcome additional support or queries from the historic vessel sector in relation to any of the above Inventory submissions. This can take the form of an email to info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
Photos: © Boat Building Academy, Del Hogg, Kev Maslin, Clive Thomas, University of the Highlands and Islands