Nomadic at 'crucial' repair stage

Work to restore a ship that ferried passengers to the Titanic has entered a "crucial" stage, according to the organisation overseeing the project.

A team of engineers will look at how the SS Nomadic can be restored and become a tourist attraction in Belfast's Titanic Quarter.

Denis Rooney, of the Nomadic Charitable Trust, said the work could take six months.

"The result will be a clear framework of how it will be restored," he said.

"The plan will provide the trust with recommendations on the future use and development of Nomadic while accounting for the need to enhance, protect and promote the heritage of the vessel and her future as a visitor attraction."

"On its completion, we'll also be in a position to submit some key funding applications and subject to the necessary capital being in place, we will be able to proceed with the physical work."

The 100-year-old vessel is currently in Barnett's Dock in Belfast, having been saved from a wreckers' yard in France two years ago.

The ship is expected to move to Hamilton Dock in Titanic Quarter later this year.