sub-group of some 200 vessels that comprise The National Historic Fleet. These vessels are distinguished by: Being of pre-eminent national or regional significance Spanning the spectrum of UK maritime history Illustrating changes in construction and technology Meriting a higher priority for long term preservation The National Historic Fleet may also include vessels from the National Small Ships Register that are a minimum of 50 years and fit the above criteria. The National Archive of Historic Vessels includes details of vessels no longer on the NRHV because they have been scrapped, lost, or moved abroad. It also includes vessels that do not meet all the criteria for inclusion on the NRHV but are nevertheless of historic interest. There are currently over 1,000 vessels on the National Register of Historic Vessels and over 400 vessels on the National Archive of Historic Vessels. The registers provide an authoritative assessment of the significance of historic vessels. The database can also be used to identify and prioritise vessels that should be preserved, provide guidance to decision-makers on the allocation of funding, and give an early warning of ships 'at risk'. The database can also be a useful research tool, although confidential information about ownership etc. is always kept secure. Over 57% of historic vessels recorded on the National Register of Historic Vessels are either privately owned or commercially operated. Museums and charitable trusts account for 14% of the total. Fully searchable versions of the databases (excluding ownership information) are available on National Historic Ships' website. See also Barcelona Charter List of museum ships National Historic Fleet References External links National Historic Ships website History organisations based in London Heritage organisations in the United Kingdom Maritime history of the United Kingdom Conservation in the United Kingdom 2006 establishments in the United Kingdom Organizations established in 2006