Alastair Welch, director of the Port of Southampton, issued a similar message. Hannah Cunliffe, director of National Historic Ships UK added: Calshot is a significant vessel with strong associations to the port and has been listed on the National Historic Fleet since 2007. As she enters this new phase in her history, I look forward to working with the appointed directors by offering support and guidance on their conservation journey.” Calshot was launched in 1929 and helped manoeuvre the world’s greatest ocean liners as they either entered or left the port. In 1944 she was one of more than 7,000 vessels which took part in the D-Day landings. After being renamed HMS Calshot she transported sections of the famous Mulberry harbour across the Channel to France and also served as a “non-assault HQ ship”.