Fears that such a historic vessel might go to the breaker ended in January when the Department for Social Development (DSD) at the Northern Ireland Office purchased Nomadic for £171,320 (see MJ, February 2006). The plan is for the 67m LOA ship to be restored to its luxurious original specification and become the centrepiece of a 'Titanic Quarter' tourist attraction in Belfast, also including the Harland & Wolff slipway where Titanic was built.

Although in many ways a routine ship movement for Anchor Marine Transportation, Nomadic's age, notoriety and potential fragility ensure it will be anything but. AMT is working with French survey company Hammer Marine Services, which must approve every aspect of the operation. AMT, which is project managing the operation for the Northern Ireland Office, is commissioning an engineering study of Nomadic which, among other things, must establish the centre of gravity for a vessel that has seen many alterations during its 95 years. AMT and Hammer are cooperating on sea fastening design and fabrication for a voyage of four or five days duration which is expected to take place late next month.

AMT will deploy their 91.46m LOA submersible barge AMT Mariner, to be towed by one tug, possibly from the fleet of AMT parent company Augustea, subject to availability at the time.

In Belfast, Social Development Minister David Hanson MP announced that DSD has made progress in setting up a charitable trust to coordinate fundraising and oversee the restoration of Nomadic. He said, 'DSD will formally invite Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Belfast Industrial Heritage Society, and the Titanic Society to nominate their trustees. These groups have expressed keen interest in the Nomadic and played a leading role in the campaign for the vessel to be purchased by Government and restored as a symbol of Northern Ireland's maritime heritage and association with the Titanic story.

'Belfast City Council has pledged £100,000 for the restoration fund, Belfast Harbour Commissioners have agreed to provide a free berth for the vessel and Belfast Industrial Heritage Society has been active in fundraising. I am grateful to them for their assistance and cooperation.'

MJInformation No: 21968