The challenge

The prototype rowing boat measured 17.5 metres in length and was constructed from a combination of epoxy, glass fibre and carbon fibre. While lightweight, the outer shell was extremely fragile and susceptible to damage during handling and transit.

Recognising the complexity of the project, Jamie Briggs Heritage engaged a conservator at an early stage to provide specialist advice on the safest method of supporting and transporting the vessel. Following several discussions, it became clear that any direct contact with the external shell would present an unacceptable risk.

Conservation led crate design

Working closely with the conservator and the client, Jamie Briggs Heritage developed a bespoke crating solution that would support the boat only at structurally suitable points. The final design ensured that all supports made contact exclusively with the internal titanium core and the outriggers, avoiding the fragile shell entirely.

To deliver the solution, a specialist crate manufacturer was engaged, who attended the museum to survey the vessel and take precise measurements. Following the survey, a bespoke timber crate of approximately 18 metres was designed and manufactured specifically for the project. This conservation led approach significantly reduced the risk of damage during handling, lifting and transport.

Crate construction and boat installation

The museum had separately appointed a specialist contractor to lower the boat from its suspended display position within the gallery. That left a single day in which to erect the crate before the lowering operation took place, so close coordination between all contractors was essential. Any delay would have had a significant impact on the overall programme.

• 13 August 2026

  Individual crate components craned up to the gallery floor in preparation for assembly.

• 14 August 2026

  The crate manufacturer attended site and constructed the approximately 18 metre crate within the single day available, ready to receive the vessel.

• Boat lowering

  A contractor appointed separately by the museum lowered the boat from its suspended display position, and the vessel was installed into the crate.

• 17 August 2026

  Two cranes were used to extract the crated vessel from the building, with skates installed beneath the crate beforehand to manoeuvre it into position.

• Onward transport

  Road transfer to a logistics facility in Egham, where the crate remained for several days before transferring onto a second vehicle for the international leg to Switzerland.

Gallery extraction

Once the boat had been secured within the crate, attention turned to removing the oversized package from the gallery floor. Due to the size of the crate and its weight distribution, a carefully planned lifting operation was required.

On 17 August 2026, two cranes were used to extract the crated vessel from the building. Prior to lifting, skates were installed beneath the crate, allowing it to be manoeuvred safely into position while the lifting equipment was attached. The operation required precise coordination between the lifting teams to ensure the crate remained stable throughout the move and that no additional stress was placed on the boat.

International transport to Switzerland

Following successful extraction from the museum, Jamie Briggs Heritage organised onward transportation to Switzerland. Because of the overall length of the crated vessel, transport required an abnormal load trombone trailer. Extensive planning was undertaken with the haulage contractor, including a review of site access, vehicle manoeuvrability and route requirements.

The crate was initially transported to a logistics facility in Egham, where it remained for several days before being transferred onto a second vehicle for the international leg of its journey. Regular coordination meetings with the transport provider ensured that all logistical requirements were understood and managed, helping to minimise risk throughout the operation.

The delivery sequence

Outcome

Through early conservation involvement, meticulous planning and close collaboration between multiple contractors, the project was completed successfully. The bespoke crate design protected the fragile composite shell, while the carefully managed lifting and transport operations enabled the safe relocation of a unique 17.5 metre prototype rowing boat from Henley-on-Thames to Switzerland.

What made it work:

• A conservator engaged before the support method was fixed, not after.
• A crate designed to bear only on the internal titanium core and the outriggers, with no load transferred to the composite shell.
• An approximately 18 metre bespoke timber crate surveyed, manufactured and assembled to fit a single day window.
• Coordination across the museum, the conservator, the crate manufacturer, the lowering contractor and the lifting teams.
• A dual crane extraction completed without additional stress being placed on the vessel.
• Abnormal load transport planned around site access, vehicle manoeuvrability and route, in two legs via Egham.

The project highlighted the value of combining conservation expertise with specialist logistics and lifting operations when handling large, delicate and historically significant objects.

Why Jamie Briggs Heritage

Jamie Briggs Heritage combines specialist relocation expertise with secure heritage storage, conservation led packing methods and detailed collection control. For museums, archives, universities, libraries and cultural institutions, the team provides a trusted end to end service for the safe movement, storage and long term care of important collections.