National Historic Ships UK

03/06/2026

Job opportunity!
Excelsior Trust: Relief Bosun needed.


The Excelsior Trust is looking for a relief Bosun to join us on a sail training trip for young people this month. Departing from and returning to Lowestoft, 24th June - 1st July, including 1-2 days familiarity training. In the first instance, please email [email protected]


Job description:
Assist with navigation and safe operation of the vessel
Manage and supervise crews and trainees
Other duties as assigned by Skipper

Required qualifications and competencies:
Minimum demonstrable experience as Bosun in offshore passages
Demonstrable experience in sail training with under-18 trainees
ENG1 Seafarer medical fitness certificate
IMO STCW (International Maritime Organization Standards of Training and
Certification of Watchkeeping) Basic Safety Training course
Sea survival
Enhanced DBS check
UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)


Please note, references will be requested and taken up

03/06/2026

PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

'On the Deck of the Blue Peter' by Ed Whiting, Classic Boat Award Runner Up for the 2021 National Historic Ships UK Photography Competition.

Our 2026 Photo Competition is now OPEN for entries!

This year's theme is 'Time' and there are some fantastic prizes to be won. Other categories include the Classic Boat Award, for traditional sailing images; Faces of the Sea, for pictures of people working, volunteering, and engaging with our wonderful historic vessels; and Newcomer of the Year, for new entrants to the competition.

Read more & enter:
https://nationalhistoricships.org.uk/photocomp

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

⛵️ FESTIVAL UPDATE ⛵️

The countdown is on! 🎉

We’re busy behind the scenes preparing an amazing weekend of ⛵️ boats, 🏁 sailing races, 🎶 entertainment, 🍔 food, 🍻 drink and family fun.

🌐 Our brand-new website is coming soon, and for the first time you’ll be able to view and buy a digital programme online!

📖 Printed programmes will still be available, and we’ll share details soon.

📅 3–5 July 2026
📍 Mousehole

⚓️ Save the date!

❤️

02/06/2026

✨ FULL CIRCLE RETURN ✨

📅 Thursday 11 June 2026 - 10am - 5pm
📍 Pendennis Castle, Falmouth
⛵ Spirit & Pellew Arrival Midday
🎵 Live Music Throughout
🚚 Food Catering Vans
🍻 Bar
⛵ Free Entry
🎉 All Welcome

After just over three months sailing anticlockwise around the UK, we are delighted to invite you to celebrate the completion of the Full Circle voyage with Turn to Starboard and Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.

Since departing Falmouth on 17th March, two tall ships have sailed over 2,000 nautical miles around the UK coastline, visiting 22 ports and involving more than 70 serving and veteran members of the Armed Forces who are wounded, injured, or sick.

Delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, Full Circle has showcased the power of challenge, teamwork, and adventure to support recovery, rebuild confidence, and create lasting connections.

As Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew return home to Falmouth, join us in welcoming the crews back and celebrating this remarkable achievement.

A huge thank you to Pendennis Castle for kindly opening their gates free of charge for this special occasion.

Whether you’ve followed the voyage from the start or are hearing about it for the first time, everyone is welcome.

02/06/2026

🎬 What started as a university assignment became a distinction winning documentary!

In February 2026, Master's students Isabella Fraser, Scarlett Victoria and Yilin Zhang spent two days filming and interviewing the volunteers and contractors behind the Sutton Hoo Ship reconstruction project.

Their documentary captures the passion, craftsmanship, history and community spirit that drive this unique experimental archaeology project. After a few months of editing, the film earned the team a Distinction from Imperial College London.

We're thrilled with the result and hope you'll enjoy seeing the project through their eyes.

https://youtu.be/J7jhAhQ34sM