Heritage Ship

A heritage ship is a historic vessel preserved for its cultural significance, whether kept afloat, dry-docked, or operated under sail, often protected through national historic-ship registers such as the UK National Historic Ships register. Preservation ranges from static museum display, as with Cutty Sark and Vasa, to actively sailed vessels like USS Constitution. The category raises distinctive conservation problems, balancing original fabric against the need to keep a ship watertight and, sometimes, seaworthy. It is a core concern of maritime heritage policy.