A historic ship or boat as a home

Using a historic vessel to provide living space provides a valuable contribution to its cost of upkeep and is a source of display and interest along the riverbank and towpath. In 2020 many came to see the benefits of a more outdoor life and interest in waterborne living is high. Communities of such vessels can share service costs and maintain moorings. The ability to take the vessel out and keep it running helps keep many old vessels in working order. However not all port or local authorities are sympathetic and in some areas good moorings are difficult to come by. Over time regular lobbying and campaigning has been necessary to maintain and expand this option and organisations such as The Residential Boat Owners Association and the Dutch Barge Association play a key role. Scott and Hilary will outline the benefits, challenges of this aspect of maintaining a historic vessel.

Scott Pereira is Hon. Secretary of the The Maritime Heritage Trust and a founder member of Heritage Afloat, the umbrella organisation for ship and boat preservation societies created in 1993. He is a hospital consultant and active hobby preservationist as co-owner, with Hilary Pereira, of ‘Lilian’(1916) a 30 metre gentleman’s motor yacht which they have restored and taken to sea since 1980. He has lived on mobile 'heritage' residential boats for 45 years, initially on canal narrow boat ‘Alcor’(1934), then on steam inspection launch ‘Sabrina’(1870), and is a past chairman of the Residential Boat Owners Association. Hilary represents the River Thames Society on planning issues and is Chairman of the Upper Tideway Branch.

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