An historical naval vessel known as "Prince Charles' Warship" could be saved and restored if enough money is raised.
Bronington has been languishing partially submerged in Birkenhead docks after sinking at its moorings six years ago. The connection to Prince Charles goes back to his naval career, when he was Commanding Officer of the minesweeper for 10 months in 1976.
Fundraising had already begun to prevent further deterioration of the vessel. Now a dive survey carried out by marine specialists has revealed that the ship is in a satisfactory condition to be refloated.
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The preservation trust formed to save the ship is aiming to raise £100,000 to carry out some minor remedial work on the hull to make her watertight. Once it has been stabilised, they hope to transport the Bronington safely to a shipyard so restoration work can begin.
The long-term aim is for the veteran minesweeper to become a working ship again - but if this proves unsuccessful, to turn it into a museum ship, which was the role the ship had for years after being decommissioned.
Bronington is one of around 120 wooden-hulled Ton-class minesweepers built in the 1950s, serving for nearly 35 years until she was paid off in 1988.
Mike McBride of the Bronington Preservation Trust said there had been widespread interest in efforts to save the ship, including offers of help and support from a string of salvage and marine/seafaring firms to veterans' organisations.
The Prince of Wales himself told the trust's volunteers he found it "truly humbling to learn of the efforts you are going to in order to recover this historical naval vessel."
The goal for the trust now is to receive charitable status which will allow it to apply for grants and other funding, while simultaneously raising cash for the salvage operation. So far more than £9,000 has been raised.
Cammell Laird has agreed to take Bronington into their dry dock for restoration under their apprenticeship scheme in stages if the funding can be found. And should the project eventually be abandoned, any money donated will go to Forces charities.
The fundraising page launched by the Preservation Trust can be found here.
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