The British Marine Federation and National Boat Shows announced a formal 3-year partnership to help raise vital funds to rebuild the Cutty Sark this morning, Monday 18 June. The ExCel Boat Show 2008 will seek to raise awareness and funds for the project to save the Cutty Sark, following the fire that devastated the historic ship last month.

It is anticipated that the Cutty Sark will have its own significant area at the London Boat Show at ExCeL and there will be regular presentations on screens to bring visitors up to date on the progress of its restoration. Crucially The Cutty Sark Trust will also be working on elements of the conservation project at the show, bringing back to life actual original parts of the vessel.  The public will get a chance to see some of the techniques behind the mix of cutting-edge science and time-honoured craftsmanship that the project involves – live at the Show.

The most famous ship in the world, the Cutty Sark, is the world’s sole surviving extreme clipper, a type of vessel that was the highest development of the fast commercial sailing ship, with the majority of her hull fabric surviving from her original construction.  She is a gateway to the World Heritage Site at Greenwich and is a key asset to both the World Heritage Site and the Borough of Greenwich.