Nearly 40 years after founding the Isle of Wight Shipwreck Centre & Maritime Museum, Martin Woodward MBE has handed over the reins to The Maritime Archaeology Trust.

The centre at Arreton Barns opened its doors under the management of the Trust on Friday (31st March), marking the start of a new era where rich maritime treasures will be brought to life digitally to be seen like never before.

The 21st century exhibition will use state of the art 3D models and virtual reality to take people to sites underwater or get them close and personal to artefacts they would otherwise never see.

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Opening the shipwreck centre in 1978 had been an ambition of Martin’s since he first started diving on shipwrecks off the Isle of Wight in the 1960s. After 28 years in Bembridge – where Martin was coxswain of the RNLI lifeboat – the museum expanded and moved to Arreton in 2006.

Now, Martin has handed over the day to day running of the attraction to The Maritime Archaeology Trust but remains involved as the owner of the masses of exhibits he has collected over the years and, he says, will still be involved for some time yet.

Speaking about the change in management, Martin has told Island Echo:

“As a one-man-band for almost 40 years it is an achievement that we have survived, as many private museums have not and have fallen by the wayside. “Merging with The Maritime Archaeology Trust can only be an advantage all round, as they have much more influence and personnel at their disposal. Article continues below this advertisement “I appreciate all the support from Island residents over the years, and it will never be forgotten”.

The official re-launch of the Shipwreck Centre & Maritime Museum will take place on Tuesday 11th April when the Maritime Archaeological Discovery Bus will unfold outside the museum allowing visitors to handle rare artefacts and use the inbuilt scientific tools to learn about the unseen world of shipwrecks and drowned lands.

In addition, the museum will open to the public with the offer of discounted entrance, gifts for visiting children and a range of activities to keep the little ones entertained. These include Virtual Reality Diving ; an Easter egg hunt quiz with prize; an opportunity to view specially made animations in the cosy TV room; a chance to meet and quiz Maritime Archaeologists and try on their diving kit and of course the time to see the marvels and treasures from the deep.

The museum will close at 16:00 to prepare for the ceremonial inauguration by TV’s Dan Snow, who will launch the new venture at 16:30. This will set a foundation that will take the museum on a journey to a new future in a new age.