West Wales Maritime Heritage Society
About Us
The West Wales Maritime Heritage Society preserves the boats, skills and stories that form an important part of Pembrokeshire’s maritime history.
Based at historic Hancock’s Yard in Pembroke Dock, our volunteers restore traditional vessels, care for the museum and maritime library, and share the boatbuilding heritage of the area with visitors and future generations.
Dating back to 1804, the yard includes historic workshops, a dock and slipway in a picturesque riverside setting. It was home to the Hancock family’s boatbuilding business from 1921 to 1979 and remains an important part of the town’s maritime story.
The society was founded in 1984 by a group of enthusiasts, with the following aims:
To conduct and encourage research into the maritime history of the region.
To encourage the preservation of craft, buildings and sites of historical or local interest.
To seek to preserve artefacts and records associated with this history.
To retain and encourage the skills associated with all aspects of building, repairing, handling and the use of craft.
To set up a Centre or Centres where these craft, items and skills can be preserved and shown to best advantage.
To encourage members of the public to take an interest in and develop or acquire the skills mentioned.
To operate such a Centre or Centres as a viable economic enterprise.
To increase public interest and support for maritime heritage by giving members educational and training experience afloat in heritage vessels.
Based on that inspirational start, we can now boast a thriving enthusiastic membership, a comprehensive museum of artefacts, a library bulging at its book-ends, and a wide range of heritage boats - some sadly dilapidated but others restored and sailed regularly.
West Wales Maritime Heritage Society operates as a Limited Company; it is registered as a charity, and runs an accredited museum.
Company no. | 02611959 |
Charity no. | 1042428 |
Accreditation no. | 2500 |