Our aim is to develop a training scheme and facilities to teach traditional maritime skills to young people using Torbay Lass as the initial capital project. These skills are transferrable between many industries, and this knowledge is currently in decline. There are few opportunities to learn it without substantial financial backing. We aim to provide experience to apprentices taking the Heritage
Engineering Marine Technician Apprenticeship Standard, currently in development with other East Coast organisations. We believe that having experience at sea is an important part of understanding how to conserve traditional vessels, so we have developed a sustainable plan for operating the vessel after her restoration is complete that is tied into the training program we have proposed. We propose to use Torbay Lass as a teaching tool for our learners to develop seafaring skills, and to teach the public about maritime heritage and the importance of conserving it for future generations. We are committed to encouraging public awareness and education of maritime heritage, and public involvement with our projects will be very much a part of them. For a conservation project to be worthwhile, it must be used to impart knowledge and broaden public understanding of heritage and history. We are based at Downs Road Boatyard in Maldon, Essex at the heart of a vibrant community of traditional vessels. Our aims are as follows:
To advance Maritime Heritage for the public benefit in particular but not exclusively by:
-The preservation, restoration and operation of historically significant vessels and in doing so provide training and work experience in marine skills to those unable to sponsor themselves through a dedicated program as well as to offer that training to others who can achieve funding themselves,
-Advancing the education of the public and raising awareness of maritime heritage by maintaining and operating historic vessels, participating in public events, conducting research and offering education, information and advice. To advance environmental protection for the public benefit by promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility in particular but not exclusively by:
-Researching and promoting traditional methods of fishing under sail in order to educate, encourage and promote the concept of sustainable fishing.
-Researching and developing carriage of cargo under sail in order to educate, encourage and promote the concept of sustainable waterborne freight.
-Carrying out research and educating the public into the sources of pollution at Sea and promoting clean seas and responsibility for local marine environments.
