Plans to transform historic ship into floating museum
Plans to transform a historic Scottish vessel into an interactive floating museum in Edinburgh have been unveiled at an event in Leith.
The SS Explorer, which has been berthed in Leith docks since 1996, is regarded as a pioneering vessel that made a significant contribution to climate science and biodiversity work.
In service between 1956 to 1984, the ship allowed marine biologists to better understand sea temperatures and pollution, British fish breeding and fishing levels, and helped shape knowledge of oceanography and marine life.
The SS Explorer Preservation Society (SSEPS), who saved the ship from demolition in the mid 1990s, are now hoping to restore the research vessel to its former glory - and educate a new generation about Scotland’s marine heritage via a new floating museum and accompanying onshore interpretation centre.
Speaking at an event at the Port of Leith Distillery, where the historic ship can be viewed from the panoramic eighth floor, SSEPS volunteers and trustees shared future plans for the ship, which will require significant investment of around £500,000 and many deckhands.
Meredith Greiling, SSEPS trustee said: “We would like to see the SS Explorer become more publicly accessible – for the last few decades the ship has been a secret behind the walls of Leith docks.
"Our ambition is to have a shore-side interpretation centre where people can learn about the history of the ship and why it was brought to Leith, and then make the ship itself more accessible where people can come on board and find out about it the work it did.”
She added: “It was registered in Leith throughout its career and it is absolutely one of a kind.
"The ship helped discover new species and developed our understanding about their life cycles and marine biodiversity. It was also the first ship to have a computer on board to process scientific data in real time – so it was very innovative and cutting edge.”
Ben Macpherson, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith said, “I think the SS Explorer is an opportunity to provide a museum vessel and a space that can be visited by families and individuals with an interest in marine science and heritage.
"It will be a journey to get there but today is a milestone moment.”