SPECIALIST CLEANING
A big Victory Vinci Response takes on monumental HMS Victory conservation project.
Vinci Response – a specialist cleaning, decontamination, repair and remediation company based in Portsmouth – is proud to have begun a substantial clean-up contract at HMS Victory. The work is a pivotal element of a £40m conservation and renovation program (Victory Live: The Big Repair) to preserve the national maritime heritage icon.
HMS Victory, the world’s oldest commissioned warship and flagship of the First Sea Lord, holds historical significance as a living museum to the Georgian Navy and the Battle of Trafalgar.
Vinci Response, with over 70 years of combined experience, has been entrusted with ensuring the longevity and preservation of this maritime treasure.
Vinci’s mission
As part of the ongoing works, Vinci’s specialised team is clearing dirt, algae and weeds from the ship’s dry dock, the oldest operational dry dock globally. This meticulous cleaning is a preparatory step for upcoming stonemasonry preservation works, contributing to the broader conservation and renovation project.
Gavin Smith, CEO of Vinci Response, stated: “Preserving the historical integrity of HMS Victory is a task we approach with immense pride and responsibility. Being entrusted with such a monumental project underscores the trust our clients place in our expertise and professionalism. We are honoured to play a vital role in safeguarding this national treasure and ensuring its legacy for future generations.”
The big repair
To save HMS Victory for posterity, a 20-year conservation project was launched in 2016. The project aims to stabilise
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the ship to ensure its longevity and to improve its visitor experience and educational value.
One of the project’s main features is a new support system for the ship, which replaced the 22 steel cradles installed in 1922. Once removed, the cradles were found to have covered existing damaged steps within the dry dock.
The new system installed in 2019-20 consists of 134 steel props that mimic the support of the sea and provide real-time monitoring of the ship’s weight distribution and stability. It will also allow visitors to walk beneath the ship for the first time in 100 years and see its hull up close.
Rosemary Thornber is the Principal HERITAGE Advisor for HMS Victory. She said: “No. 2 dock has provided a home for HMS Victory since 1922, and this structure that dates from c.1800 is in itself of national importance, recognised by its Scheduled Monument and Grade I Listed status. The stone repairs will protect the dock by removing fractured stones, sealing gaps and applying new pieces, allowing it to be enjoyed as a feat of Georgian engineering and securing it for Victory.”
HMS Victory remains open for visiting. Tickets can be bought here.
Vinci Response works nationally across the UK and moved its headquarters to Central Point, Portsmouth in 2023. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, from fire and flood damage restoration to mould removal and virus decontamination.
Their involvement in the HMS Victory conservation project showcases their professionalism and capabilities in undertaking complex and delicate tasks.
www.vinciresponse.co.uk twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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