Timeline
A Long-Term plan for Scotland’s Oldest Ship
Project Safe Haven is an ambitious project that will transform the visitor experience to HMS Unicorn and preserve the ship for the future.
This multi-year, multi-million-pound initiative is designed to secure the future of HMS Unicorn, one of the world’s oldest ships still afloat anywhere in the world. The project is being delivered in phases: the timeline below outlines the key stages.
Project Phases
Preparation, planning and urgent works
A comprehensive programme of surveys has enabled the Unicorn Preservation Society to build the most accurate insight into HMS Unicorn’s condition and complex conservation challenges. This has led to the development of Project Safe Haven, and the delivery of enabling works, including critical hull strengthening.
1
Reducing risk of total loss and improving conservation access
The East Graving Dock will be emptied, repaired with a new caisson, made structurally sound and refilled to receive HMS Unicorn over a supportive cradle. Phase 3 will be developed concurrently from 2027, and the ship will reopen to visitors in her new location.
2
Towards a stable environment for preservation and enhanced engagement
The East Graving Dock will be emptied, with HMS Unicorn supported by her cradle. This will enable access for immediate conservation and further research. A rainwater shelter will be built over the ship and the drying-out process will start. A temporary modular visitor centre will be developed on the dockside, to enhance the visitor experience, with a focus on the conservation works and skills development.
3
Increasing access, towards sustainability
Further stabilisation and repair of the East Graving Dock will take place to enable additional building capacity for the construction of a permanent
visitor centre on the dock arm. Partial construction of the permanent visitor centre will start to increase capacity and introduce interpretation on completed research. Controlled drying-out of the ship will be in place and the long-term conservation of the ship will begin.
4
Long-Term Conservation
This phase will see ongoing and evolving conservation of the ship in her long-term cradle, as well as the completion of the permanent visitor centre on the dock arm, reusing the existing temporary visitor centre facilities. This will mark the completion of the main phases of Project Safe Haven.
5
Continous development and review for a sustainable future
At the end of Project Safe Haven, the Unicorn Preservation Society will continue to ensure that HMS Unicorn is stabilised and maintained at a sustainable long-term operating cost, whilst developing and delivering the next cycle of works towards the ship’s 100-Year Plan.
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