Future support arrangements for HMS Victory (source: Wikipeadia)

In June 2009 Defence Equipment & Support, DE&S issued a request for Expressions of Interest to private industry for the future support arrangements for HMS Victory. DE&S aims to award a single 9-year project management contract in time for planned works to commence in April 2010 through to April 2019. The sum total value of the contract award is indicated to be worth between £15 million and £30 million spread over the life of the contract. The contract is to be funded from the UK defence budget.

However due to restructuring within DE&S (responsibility for HMS Victory transferring from Minehunter Patrol & Hydrographic IPT to Surface Combat Directorate), the contract competition was subsequently placed on hold.

In June 2010, DE&S Surface Combat Directorate re-issued the Expression of Interest to private industry. The terms remain unchanged although DE&S now aims to award the contract in time for works to commence in April 2011.

HMS Victory was permanently docked down in No 2 Dock, Portsmouth on the 12 January 1922 due to her condition deteriorating to the extent that she could no longer safely remain afloat. During the initial restoration period from 1922 to 1929, a considerable amount of structural repair work was carried out above the waterline and, mainly, above the middle deck. Very few structural repairs were carried out in the period between 1929 and 1950. In the early 1950s, a detailed structural survey was completed. From that survey, it was apparent that the lower structure in the vicinity of the keel and extending up both port and starboard to beyond the turn of the bilge, was in very poor condition. Repairs were put in hand and completed in 1964. The wood used to carry out some of the restoration was teak in the case of the timbers internal and external planking, and oak for the keelson, riders in the hold, beams and pillars. After 1964, some repair of a belt extending around the ship which contained a fair proportion of decayed wood was carried out using Iroko hardwood.

After some 40 years, significant repairs to the hull are now required, the deterioration being worse on the Starboard side than the Port. It is anticipated that the majority of manufactured hull planking will be issued as Ministry Supplied Material (MSM) to the successful contractor. Whilst the contractor will not, for the most part, be expected to employ authentic methods and skills, whenever it is practical authentic materials will be used.

Just say the word, I'll come and help!!!!!!!
Very interesting, thanks,Paul. You're very lucky to be near "our" ship.