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Scaffold Encapsulation

HMS Victory

Conservation Works

  • Award Winning
  • Public Access Maintained
  • Protecting Heritage
  • Weatherproofing

The Challenge

The conservation of HMS Victory, the Royal Navy’s most celebrated warship, required a fully enclosed scaffold structure to protect the vessel during an extensive programme of repair. The project presented unique heritage sensitivities: the ship itself is a scheduled ancient monument with fragile historic timbers, while the surrounding dockyard is also listed. Public access to the vessel had to be maintained throughout, meaning safety, visitor flow, and protection from the elements were all critical. 

Adding to the complexity, the dock is built in stepped levels with restricted allowable bearing pressures, which demanded careful engineering of timber foundation pads to distribute the significant scaffold loads safely.

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Michael Eager

The Solution

A hybrid system was designed combining Layher scaffold for public access, weather protection, and roof support, with tube and fitting and bespoke fabricated components tailored to the ship’s complex geometry. A cassette roof spanning the vessel provided full weatherproofing, while custom adjustable fittings ensured a tight interface with the curved hull.

To enable timber replacement works, a unique bi-lateral Niko rail lifting system was integrated, designed to transport eight-metre-long timbers along the hull and into designated loading areas. 3D survey data was used to model the hull precisely, ensuring the modular scaffold aligned seamlessly with the ship’s curvature and avoided clashes.

The Result

The encapsulation created a safe, weatherproof, and flexible environment for conservation, allowing works to proceed without disruption, even in adverse conditions. The integrated lifting system gave the conservation team dynamic handling capability, streamlining the movement of heavy timbers and avoiding risks associated with manual lifting. Despite the technical challenges, the structure was delivered on time, enabling the ship to reopen to the public during the summer season as planned.

The project’s innovative design and execution set new standards in heritage scaffolding and was recognised with industry acclaim, including the NASC Large Project of the Year award in 2022.