Maritime Archives: Collaborative Training in UK–Pakistan Underwater Cultural Heritage

A pioneering new project is bringing together heritage professionals, archaeologists, and volunteers from the UK and Pakistan to train, research, and preserve a little-known but vitally important part of the world’s maritime history.

Spaces on this project are limited. Sign up to get involved by 1st August 

Led by the Nautical Archaeology Society (UK) and MaritimEA Research (Pakistan), and supported by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, Maritime Archives will deliver hands-on and virtual training in maritime archaeological research. The goal: to equip a new generation of heritage researchers and citizen scientists with the skills and strategies needed to identify, document, and understand historical shipwrecks along Pakistan’s coastline.

This unique partnership is built on mutual learning and cross-border collaboration. Participants from both countries will work together through joint training workshops, resource-sharing, and expert mentorship, creating the foundation for a long-term research programme. The training phase will focus on uncovering archival materials, identifying key wreck sites, and producing a research guide — all vital steps toward building an open-access database of shipwrecks in the region.

“By investing in collaborative training, we're not just uncovering the past — we're empowering people in both countries to shape the future of maritime heritage research,” said Amer Khan, Director of MaritimEA.

A key feature of the project involves UK-based volunteers working directly with the Lloyd’s Register archives, helping to retrieve and contextualise materials that are often inaccessible to researchers in Pakistan.

“Many of the records relevant to Pakistan’s maritime history are held in UK archives,” said Peta Knott, Education Manager of the Nautical Archaeology Society. “This project enables our volunteers to play an active role in supporting researchers in Pakistan — helping to redress historical imbalances in access to heritage, and making the Lloyd’s Register archives more internationally relevant, open, and inclusive. It’s a step toward the decolonisation of the archives, and an innovative model for equitable research.”

The project directly supports the mission of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation Heritage Centre, aligning with its Key Theme 3: Safety – Shipwrecks and Maritime Disaster. It also contributes to global efforts such as the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).

Through shared expertise, cultural exchange, and open access to information, Maritime Archives aims to create a legacy of international cooperation — and a deeper understanding of the histories resting beneath our shared seas.

🌊 Join the Maritime Archives Project: Collaborative Training in UK–Pakistan Underwater Cultural Heritage

Train for Free. Travel for Free. Contribute to a Global Maritime Research Project.

Are you passionate about history, archives, or maritime heritage? The Maritime Archives Project invites volunteers across the UK to join a year-long international collaboration researching shipwrecks off the coast of Pakistan — with all training and transport fully funded.

Led by the Nautical Archaeology Society (UK) in partnership with MaritimEA (Pakistan) and supported by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, this project offers you a unique opportunity to:

• Gain professional research skills
• Explore hidden maritime histories
• Help make archives more accessible globally

🎓 What You'll Get

✅ Free training in maritime archives and research

You’ll learn how to explore and interpret both physical and digital records in the Lloyd’s Register Archive, with support from expert maritime archaeologists.

🚆 Free travel to London from anywhere in England, Wales, or Scotland

We’ll cover all your land transport costs for the in-person training and research sessions in London — so there’s no financial barrier to participating.

🗓️ Key Dates

• 🖥️ Online Training Day: Thursday 21st August 2025 (recorded if you can’t attend live)
• 🏛️ In-Person Training Day in London: Wednesday 26^th November 2025
• 📚 Ongoing Research Sessions in London:
• Monthly group sessions
• Optional individual research opportunities
• Project duration: 12 months

Preference is given to those who can attend both training events, but recordings and flexible options will be available.

🔍 Who We're Looking For

We welcome participants who are:

• Based in England, Wales, or Scotland
• Curious about history, archives, or maritime culture
• Able to commit to a year of participation (flexible schedule)

No experience is needed! You don’t need prior archive skills or knowledge of Pakistan’s history — just an interest in learning.

Bonus skills (helpful, but not required):

• Reading historic handwriting
• Photographing documents or artifacts

🌍 Why This Project Matters

Much of Pakistan’s maritime heritage is locked in UK archives. This project helps change that — and you can be part of the solution.

By training UK volunteers to conduct archival research, we can:

• Support heritage researchers in Pakistan who lack physical access
• Contribute to a shared international database of shipwrecks
• Help decolonise maritime archives and improve access globally
• Build lasting connections through collaborative training and teamwork

📝 How to Apply

👉 Express your interest here

Deadline to apply: Friday 1st August 2025

Spots are limited — early applications encouraged!