The Nautical Heritage Association, a registered charity, was established in 1995 to support the Nautical Museums Trust and to act as a focal point for those interested in our Maritime Heritage and Nautical History including those who wanted to play an active part in conservation and education.

Our aim is to protect our Nautical Heritage and to support European education & conservation.

The Association is first and foremost the Friends organisation which actively supports the work of the Nautical Museums Trust who maintain the Shipwreck Heritage Centre based in Hastings, East Sussex, United Kingdom. (See Contacts)

The Shipwreck Heritage Centre, opened in 1986, is acknowledged as one of the best of its kind in the United Kingdom and was visited by HM The Queen in 1997. It contains an interesting and varied collection of artefacts from several wrecks, and has on display a unique collection of wooden rudders from the 15th to 18th Centuries. Visitors can also see live radar pictures of shipping in the English Channel, live weather satellite pictures, videos of local wrecks including the Dutch East Indiaman Amsterdam (1749) and a fascinating audio visual show which tells the story of a number of wrecks, of significant historical interest, which are located near Hastings. Also on display are the remains of a medieval barge which was lost in the River Thames about 1470 and a Victorian barge, Primrose, which used to carry cargoes on the River Rother and associated waterways serving the Port of Rye in East Sussex.

Visits by students of all nationalities are welcome and special arrangements can be made for younger children who might be interested in touching and handling ancient objects such as Roman nails, pottery, pieces of eight and muskets. To arrange a visit for students or pupils please contact the manager on 01424 437452.

The museum is situated on the ground floor and visitors in wheelchairs are very welcome. The theatre is provided with an audio-loop for the benefit of those with impaired hearing.

The Shipwreck Heritage Centre, is located in Rock-a-Nore, to the east of the fishing harbour and opposite the Underwater Centre.

The museum's opening hours are 10:30am to 5pm daily

The Nautical Museums Trust has plans to extend the accommodation at the Shipwreck Heritage Centre to provide facilities for education and for training students of maritime archaeology.

The Nautical Museums Trust, through a sister trust, owns the wreck of the warship Anne which was severely damaged during the Battle of Beachy Head, against the French, in 1690. Funds are sought to raise the Anne as she is the only remaining British warship of her era. Similarly, the Nautical Museums Trust owns the wreck of the warship Resolution (1703), but this wreck has not yet been found.

The Nautical Heritage Association, in addition to supporting the Nautical Museums Trust, has links with Ramsgate Maritime Museum in Kent, Bexhill Museum in East Sussex, Eastbourne Natural History and Archaeological Society in East Sussex, The National Fishing Museum in Coxyde (Belgium), Galeone Livorno "Amsterdam" Foundation and Association Tourville in Dunkirk (France). Our link with Association Tourville is of particular importance. They aim to build a full sized reproduction of a first rate vessel of the era of Louis XIV which will be situated in a heritage park-like setting. The vessel, which will be called Jean Bart, after the French privateer, is similar to those which were involved in the Battle of Beachy Head (1690) against the English and Dutch fleets and in which the English warship Anne (see earlier reference) was critically damaged.

The Nautical Heritage Association welcomes new FRIENDS ('Friends' is the term used to describe members).

The Association is run entirely by volunteers who aim to provide a friendly yet efficient service and give value for money.

Click here for more information on how to become a 'Friend' of the Nautical Heritage Association. Why not join today? the rates are very reasonable!