Portland lifeboat largely ship shape

22 February 2010

Portland Observer

EXPERIENCED marine conservator Michael Staples spent last week in Portland preparing a conservation management plan for the historic Portland lifeboat.

The 152-year-old boat, housed in the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre, was Portland’s primary rescue vessel and was used in the rescue of survivors from the Admella shipwreck in 1859. It hasn’t been in the water since 1918.

Mr Staples said the lifeboat was structurally in good condition, considering it’s age. His recommendations for future conservation include rectifying minor damage, replacing or replicating missing components from the vessel, and completing or tidying up past repairs.

He said he enjoyed the opportunity to work with such a significant vessel.

In addition to its historical significance, the Glenelg Shire Council believes the vessel has the potential to contribute new knowledge about 19th century boat building techniques. The Portland lifeboat is already recognised on the National Maritime Museum’s Australian Register of Historic Vessels for it’s unique design adapted to the rough coastline of southwest Victoria.

“The Portland lifeboat is one of the oldest lifeboats in Australia,” Australian National Maritime Museum director Mary Louise Williams said.

“We are pleased to be able to support its conservation through the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS).”

The conservation management plan is funded by a commonwealth grant from the MMAPSS through the Distributed National Collection Program, the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage, and the Arts, and by the National Maritime Museum.