Museum partnership goes high tech

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A new partnership between the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and Le Port-Musée in Douarnenez, France will see cutting edge technology used to preserve Cornish and Breton maritime heritage.

Mike Selwood and Andy Wyke (centre) from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall with the team from Le Port-Musée in Douarnenez
Mike Selwood and Andy Wyke (centre) from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall with the team from Le Port-Musée in Douarnenez

The two museums will be using state of the art laser scanners to create 3D models of key boats in both their collections.

Maritime Museum boat collection manager, Andy Wyke, explained: “Many of the oldest and most important boats in both our collections have no surviving plans and due to their age, conservation and restoration can prove almost impossible.

“The inevitable degradation of these boats is linked to their environment and materials, water and wood – not often a good combination. Creating these highly detailed 3D models will prove invaluable in our on-going work to preserve these boats for future generations.”

The project has been made possible through €60k of European funding. The INTERREG Program promotes cross border projects and helps regions of Europe share knowledge and transfer experience.

Representatives from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall have just returned from a visit to Douarnenez, where they met with their French counterparts to begin their training in using these highly advance laser scanners.

The results of the laser scanning, including 3D models of each boat, will eventually be made available on a publicly accessible database and feature in a joint exhibition at both the Maritime Museum in Falmouth and Le Port-Musée in Douarnenez.

A delegation from Le Port-Musée will be making a return visit to the Maritime Museum in Falmouth next week.