Winners of the National Historic Ships UK 2023 Photography Competition, Marsh Volunteer Awards, and Excellence in Maritime Conservation Award were revealed on Wednesday 22 November, during an Awards Ceremony filmed at The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith Docks, Edinburgh and streamed online.

The Awards film also celebrated the six Flagships of the Year, among them the Belfast Harbour based HMS Caroline, as Afloat reported of the National Historic Ships announced earlier in the season. In addition to featuring some exclusive content filmed aboard Britannia, including an exclusive interview on the Royal Racing Yacht Bloodhound.

To watch the Awards film on YouTube, click here

National Historic Ships UK’s (NHS-UK) annual awards are a celebration of maritime heritage around the UK. They encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with historic vessels through photography, volunteering, conservation, online activities, and skills-based training.

Britannia was chosen as this year’s host venue as she celebrates two special anniversaries in 2023 - 70 years since her launch, and 25 years as a visitor attraction. Guest presenters were Norfolk sailor and boat restorer Ash Faire-Ring, and historian and TV presenter Dan Snow.

Flagships of the Year 

The annual Flagship of the Year Awards provide an opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate the value of historic vessels to the wider public, through online activities, museum engagement, events, open days and special tours.

Flagships promote the role of NHS-UK and ‘fly the flag’ as ambassadors for the UK’s maritime heritage sector. This year, the judges were especially impressed by the high quality of applications, and therefore awarded Flagship status to a record three Operational and three Static vessels.

Operational Flagships of the Year 2023

Swan (Lerwick, Shetland)
Lady of the Lake (Ullswater, Cumbria)
The Chieftain (Whitstable, Kent)

Static Flagships of the Year 2023

HMS Caroline (Belfast) 
LV21 (Gravesend, Kent)
Marjorie R (Leeds, West Yorkshire)

Meet our 2023 Flagships, by clicking here and specifically for HMS Belfast, this link. 

For more links regarding the Photography Competition, Marsh Volunteer Awards, and Excellence in Maritime Conservation Award, click here.