In this international chapter, we spotlight inspiring female professionals from India, connecting maritime past, present, and future through their stories.
Listen to Sonali's letter heritage.lrfoundation.org.uk/stories/sona...
In A Letter to Her Younger Self, Sonali reflects on her childhood, career journey, and the advice she would give the next generation.
SHE SEES celebrates the women driving change across the global maritime industry.
A Letter to Her Younger Self
Sonali Banerjee broke new ground as India’s first female marine engineer, rising to Chief Engineer before forging a second career as a leading maritime surveyor.
🔗 Read her story heritage.lrfoundation.org.uk/stories/sona...
© Sama Creatives
✨Photograph: @emiliesandy @sama_creatives_ ✨Videography: @katherine.mov
✨Music: @tomhudsoncrawford
SHE SEES celebrates women’s contributions to the maritime industry through capturing the stories of contemporary female professionals globally. Through captivating interviews and stunning photographs, we delve into their stories, bridging the maritime past, present, and the future.
Sonali Banerjee
Sonali Banerjee shattered maritime barriers as India’s first female marine engineer—rising to Chief Engineer and shaping the future of safety and sustainability at sea. Her story is one of skill, resilience and leadership.
Searching the collection got a major upgrade💫The new Collections page brings together full search functionality across 1.3 million+ records—with clearer routes into digitised collections.
Try it today: start exploring theme → collection → item in just a few clicks.
👉 heritage.lrfoundation.org.uk
What’s new? A fully redesigned experience, clearer routes from the homepage, and a powerful search covering 1.3 million+ collection records.
Explore here: heritage.lrfoundation.org.uk
Our new Heritage Centre website is live. After a year of behind-the-scenes work, it’s now easier to explore our collection and stories—and to get to the material that matters, quickly.
🌟Mr Huskisson and Mr Kyrki, Principal Surveyor for Finland discussing with Mr Ahti Lohivesi, Managing Director of Shell Finland at a reception in January 1983 to celebrate the establishment of the first exclusive office in Finland 25 years previously.
🌟Engineer surveyor examines items on Royal Princess in April 1984, Finland.
April 2026 marks the 140th anniversary of Lloyd’s Register’s Finland office. The first Principal Surveyor, R. Kolster, was appointed at Helsinki in 1886.
Here is a selection of images from our Finland office from the last 50 years.
Explore the 15 stories already displayed at Boathouse 4, research undertaken and contributed by Dr Melanie Basset and Dr George Ackers from @uophistory.bsky.social @uopmaritime.bsky.social
This installation sits within SHE_SEES, an exhibition featuring 23 women in maritime and celebrating stories often left untold.
Open daily in Boathouse 4, 10am – 4:30pm.
Please submit via portsmouthhq.org/she_sees, and feel free to share or tag someone who might have a story to tell.
‘The Wave 100’ shares real stories from the people who worked here: everyday experiences, family memories, photographs and moments that deserve to be remembered.
It could be a short story, a quote, or a photo with a caption — every contribution helps us tell a fuller story!
🌊Introducing ‘The Wave 100’🌊
We’re building a living installation in Boathouse 4 to celebrate 100 years of life in the Dockyard — and we need your help!
Through keynote talks, panel discussions and global perspectives, the programme highlights women’s contributions and how history can drive real change across the sector.
🌊 A celebration of women’s progress in maritime life 🌊
Join this online event exploring the past, present and future of women in maritime.
📅 19 May 2026
⏰ 11:20–15:30 GMT
💻 Online
Register your place 👉 www.lrfoundation.org.uk/events/a-cel...
Join us for the relaunch and grand finale of the Mariners’ Exhibition, led by Dr Catherine Phipps, at Lloyd’s Register.
The evening will also feature talks from Prof Hilary Carey and Dr Catherine Phipps, who will discuss their research and reflect on the historic Port of London.
💫History of the Port of London, Race, Religion and Empire: Exhibition Launch 💫
📍 Lloyd's Register Building, 71 Fenchurch Street, London. EC3M 4BS.
🗓️ Friday, May 1st. 5:30pm - 7pm.
Get your tickets: ticketpass.org/event/EBVOMP...
ONE WEEK REMAINING: Small Grant Scheme📣
Offering #grants up to £10,000 GBP for organisations that want to increase public access and engagement with maritime history and/or their collections.
Apply🔗👉 hec.lrfoundation.org.uk/get-involved...
Take a read 🔗👇
From iconic tricornes to practical workwear, WRNS headwear tells a powerful story of service and strength.
On the final day of #WomenHistoryMonth, explore the history behind the hats, written by Dr Jo Horton . ⚓️✨ hec.lrfoundation.org.uk/whats-on/sto...
The project is supported by Historic England and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, and shares new ship stories and invites volunteers to get involved.
Metal‑hulled sailing vessels are being rediscovered as the Maritime Archaeology Trust researchers uncover their construction, global careers, and rapidly deteriorating remains. ⚓
Read more about the project 🔗 maritimearchaeologytrust.org/projects-res...
REMINDER Small Grant Scheme is OPEN📣
3 weeks remaining!
Offering #grants up to £10,000 GBP for organisations that want to increase public access and engagement with maritime history and/or their collections.
Find out more 🔗 hec.lrfoundation.org.uk/get-involved...
Among these files and boxes is a small bundle of correspondence sent to the architect in 1914. One of the small ivory hands on the frieze had fallen of and a new one was requested. It cost just over £4 to replace (over £300 pounds today!). 😮
The records we have for the design of the building include architectural plans and drawings, building Sub-Committee minutes, receipts for materials from suppliers, agreements and contracts.
The Heritage Centre has several boxes of records relating to the design and construction of the Lloyd's Register Building at 71 Fenchurch Street. 🏢