A Legend Restored
The SS Explorer – Leith, Edinburgh was Scotland’s first purpose-built Fisheries Research Vessel and in addition to studying Fish stocks, fishing practices and equipment, continued areas of maritime research pioneered by HMS Challenger. This research played a crucial role in the development of our fishing industry technology and our understanding of the seas and their ecosystems. Explorer is also a survivor, having survived the shipbreakers on two occasions and a collision on a dark night in the Cromarty Firth.
SS Explorer was commissioned by the Scottish Home Department in 1945 to operate for the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen. Built by Alexander Hall and Co in Aberdeen and launched on the 21st June 1955, Explorer was Scotland’s leading scientific research vessel in service for the Marine Lab for 28 years.
Our Vision for the Future
SS Explorer will be fully restored; moored at a publicly accessible berth in the port of Leith together with a shoreside interpretation centre serving the local and wider community as a maritime museum and marine science educational resource, a visitor attraction and an attractive venue contributing to the economic regeneration of Leith and North Edinburgh.
Support for the future SS Explorer
Drydocking Explorer
Explorer has not been dry docked since 1989 but the scope for necessary dry docking work has been drawn up along with a major works programme.
Raising funds for this work is one of our most pressing needs but we also need to ensure that the Society is capable of managing these major works. This will require a strengthening of our organisation and development of support from local, national and international communities. In addition, we need to provide tools and materials for the continuing preservation works.
This work is the subject of an interim fundraising drive and we hope to be in a position to apply for funding for these works in 2026/7 so that the vessel will complete drydocking and other major works in 2027.
If you would like to support this interim stage you can donate below.
Maintenance
Every day a new piece of ships equipment need to be cleaned, serviced or secured. The dedication of our volunteers stands testament to their desire to keep the Explorer in working order. But we need more hands on deck to preserve the past for our future. If you would like to find out about volunteering opportunities on Explorer, please get in touch below.
Visitor Centre
We plan to develop a shore-based interpretative centre to welcome visitors and tell the interconnected strands of the Explorer Story. This should also allow us to develop an interactive learning space where we can share Explorer’s scientific contribution and encourage STEM learning for future Marine Biologists or Engineers.
In the meantime, we continue to welcome visitors on board the vessel and are preparing temporary exhibition spaces on board the vessel to enhance these tours. To arrange a tour please get in touch below.
