The Save Our Ship (SOS) campaign was launched shortly after the ship’s discovery became public. Most large artefacts unearthed during construction projects are re-buried and this was originally the plan for the ship, but SOS campaigned vigorously for the ship’s full excavation. This included a petition, a 24/7 roadside vigil, a ‘mini-Armada’ of boats sailing past the Riverfront site, along with many other activities.

On 23 August 2002 the Welsh Government announced a £3.5 million plan to excavate, conserve, and eventually display the Newport Ship. Following this announcement, the organizers of the SOS campaign established the Friends of the Newport Ship (FONS) to sustain public consciousness about the vessel. The organization was granted charity status in 2004 , and through its activities it has helped to fund various stages of research and conservation. Newport City Council have supported the project ever since, providing premises and facilities and employing our brilliant curator, Dr Toby Jones.

Volunteers from the Friends serve as guides at the Ship Centre, offering free tours to visitors. The Friends also hold talks and events and have published several versions of this guidebook to communicate this unique piece of Newport’s heritage to the public.

Today, with the active conservation completed, the role of the Friends is arguably more important than ever. We seek to ensure that the ship finds a suitable permanent home where it can be reconstructed and put on display.

Your support will help make this vision a reality! You can join the Friends and receive regular updates about the reassembly plans, including an annual magazine. We also need volunteers to guide visitors, man the gift shop and much else besides.