The significant milestone has been reached following a stringent tender process and engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash has been appointed to undertake the work.

The conservation management plan is expected to take place over a six month period and will start with a full condition survey of the ship.  This will be followed by stakeholder consultations, a heritage impact assessment and an options study to determine the level of conservation and future use of the vessel.  The work will culminate in the formulation of a repair plan which will pave the way for the physical restoration work.

The positive news comes in the wake of the recent funding announcement for Titanic Signature Project and is another great step forward in the ship’s restoration, as Charitable Trust Chairman Denis Rooney explains.

“We’ve now reached what is arguably the most crucial stage of the project, as the end result will be a clear framework of how Nomadic will be restored,” said Denis.

“The conservation management plan will provide the Trust with recommendations on the future use and development of Nomadic while accounting for the need to enhance, protect and promote the heritage of the vessel and her future as a visitor attraction.  On its completion, we’ll also be in a position to submit some key funding applications and subject to the necessary capital being in place, we will be able to proceed with the physical work,” he added.

“This works falls within a very specialist field of consultancy and the Trust is delighted to have appointed Frazer-Nash – a company with notable maritime expertise, including contracts with HMS Alliance and the Medway Queen,” concluded Denis.

Frazer-Nash Naval Architect Adrian Payne commented: "This is a tremendous opportunity for us to work on a piece of real maritime history.  SS Nomadic was the product of one of the great engineering powerhouses of Europe, and everyone in the team is looking forward to playing a role in her restoration."

Nomadic’s conservation management plan begins as work prepares to start on the iconic Titanic Signature Project which was granted funding late last year.  As well as a centrepiece building, Titanic Signature Project will feature key historic sites associated with Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage and the story of Titanic.  As the ship which tendered Titanic, Nomadic will play an important role in this on her relocation to Hamilton Dock in Titanic Quarter later this year.

For further information visit http://www.nomadicbelfast.com/project_management.php