Provision of an Audio Guide System for HMS Victory

The National Museum of the Royal Navy cares for HMS Victory, based in a dry dock within the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. In 2016 HMS Victory underwent a full reinterpretation project to improve the experience for our 300,000 visitors who board the ship each year. Part of this project saw the introduction of the ship’s first audio guide system telling the story of the Battle of Trafalgar, from preparation in Portsmouth, the battle itself and the events after Admiral Nelson’s death. As well as documenting her service post-Trafalgar into the 20th century as the ship is still a commissioned ship of the Royal Navy and flagship of the First Sea Lord.

Emphasis is placed on the design suiting the unusual ship environment, in particular on health and safety. The systems needed to prevent undue operational distraction when moving through the ships.

The existing systems are based on infrared beacons stationed throughout the ship (42 on HMS Victory As visitors’ transit between decks they hear the stories unfold, with freedom to pick and choose the level of detail and number of beacons they wish to hear. Small and lightweight, hung around the neck with a lanyard, the devices could be used either via the speaker or with headsets plugged into the devices. They are charged within their docks and handed out / given back in the visitor’s tent on the port side of HMS Victory.

The NMRN would like to commission a contract for the rental of a new audio guide system for HMS Victory. The contract will include the installation and ongoing maintenance of a new audio guide system for a period of three years with an option of rolling one-year extensions.

Tender documentation can be found here;

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bbf2b0b5-d15d-4459-8451-7999f37142ef