SS Explorer´s Community Outreach Worker at the UK Maritime Heritage Forum - 10.2025

I was delighted to attend this year´s UK Maritime Heritage Forum representing the SS Explorer Preservation Society as the Community Outreach Worker. The Forum was not only a great opportunity to connect with other vessels and museums from around the UK but also learn and discuss with experts in various areas of maritime heritage.

This year the forum was hosted by National Museums Scotland, which cares for over 12 million objects and specimens in four museums and the National Museums Collection Centre. Attendees also had the option to choose between 2 different study visits, Royal Yacht Brittania or Trinity House Maritime Museum, with the conference dinner hosted onboard floating luxury hotel Fingal. 

Presentations and posters covered new and emerging challenges in maritime heritage, such as “sea blindness” and its effects, and the loss of heritage and traditional skills. It was inspiring to hear from other Scottish ships and neighbours of Explorer, including Discovery and Unicorn from Dundee and Glenlee from Glasgow. 

The Forum was a great opportunity to introduce the SS Explorer to those that had not heard of her before, and hopefully the Society will be able to attend again next year to continue learning and connecting the wider maritime heritage in the UK. 

Please check out our social media channels for more pictures and updates on the SS Explorer!