Registered Number 04449095
Registered Charity Number 1139902
The World Ship Society Limited
(A Company Litniled by Guarantee)
DiiTclor8' and Ti'usteeg, Report &nd FinAiielal Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024

The W(trrld Ship Society Liinited
Contents
Page
Diyectors, and Trustees, Report
Indepeiident Examlnei s Report
StAtement of Financial Activity
Balance Sheet
10-11
Notes to the Financial Slalements
12-17
For members, Information only:
Detalled Income and Expenditure Actount
Analys18 of Rese￿¢8

Tlie World Ship Society Limited
DRrectoi8' amd Ti'u8tee5' Report
Foi. tlie year ended 31 Deeember 2024
Tlie Woi"Id Sliip Society Limited is a company limited by Gu￿￿ntee, Regislered Nuinber 04449095
aiid Registered Charity Niiinbei. 1139902.
Dlreetor&
The following dii'ectors, who are also trustees served during the year:
K. J. Atkinson
R. S. Feiitoii
M. Kaeliler (Germany)
D. Maccoy
W, J. Mayes
l. D. Mccall
J. H. Mori)out (Ncthei'lands)
J. A. Poole
D. J. Walker
J. M. Williains
Seei'etAry
J. A. Poole,
Registered Office
Mayes House, Vansittart Estate, Arthiir Road. Wiiidsor, Berf(shir¢, SL4 1 SE
Pi'lntipal Ballkers
HSBC Bank plc, 32 Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQI I PB
Reporting Accountants
TWP Accoiinting LLP. Cliartered Accountsnts
Tl)e Old Rectoiy, Church Street, Weybridg¢, Surrey, KTI 3 8DE
Tlie Trustees pirsent their combiijed Annual Directors, ai)d Trustees, Report together with the
Financial Stateinents of The Woi'ld Ship Society Limited for the Year l Jaiiuary 2024 to 31 Deceinber
2024. Tjie Truste¢s confirm that the Annual Report and Fii)ancial Statements of the company comply
with the Cunrnt statutory requircmcJ)ts, the requirements of the coinpaiiy's goveriiiiig docum¢nt ai)d
the pi'ovisioiis of tlie Statemeiit of Recomincnded Practice (SORP), applicable to Chai'ities prcpai'in8
tlieiy Accounts iii ac¢oi'dance with tlie Fiiiancial Rcportiiig Standard applicabl¢ in tlie UK and
R¢public of Ireland (FRS 102) {effective l January 2019).
Since the company qiialifi¢s as Small under Section 383, th¢ Strategic Report requiiEd of medium and
large coinpanies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Dirrftors, Report) Regulatioi)s
2013 is not i'eqiiired.
SÉriictui'e and governance
The Woi'ld Ship Society was fornied iii 1947 and iiicorporatcd iii 2002. It became a I'egistered charity
on 19 Janiiaiy 2011. The Society's atyairs are conducted by a Council, wliose members are generally
Trustees of the Society. The vayious activities of the Society ar¢ supervised by committees, wliich are
geiieially chaired by in¢mbers of th¢ Council. The Society's goveyning document is its Memoraiidum
aiid Aiticles of Association, whicli were submitted to Compallies House on 28 May 2002. Ti'ustees are
members of the Couiicil, who are nominated by members of the Society, and elected at aiinual g¢neixl
nieetings in acco￿la]iCe with tlie Society's Articles of Association,
Page I

The World Sliip Society Liniited
Slatement of Financial Activities
For the yeai. ended 31 Decenibei. 2024
Fiiiancial i'eview
The Society maintaiiis reserves at a level deemed appropriate to eiiable it to cai'ry out its day-to-day
fiiiictioiis and to acqiiii'e itenjs or collections of significant Inaritime imporlaiice as ￿]d wl)¢ii thes¢
become available. The interest eariied on reserves is an iniportant soui'ce of income at times of
I'easonable interest rates.
Tliere is no specific i'eserves policy, and tho Inislees regard all of tlie funds as iinrestricted.
Public benefit statement
The Ti'ustees ar¢ confident that The World Sliip Society Limlted coinplies witli its obligatioii to
pi-ovidc public beiiefit as evidei)ced by its pi'oinotion of the undei'staiiding of sliips. shippiiig aiid
rclaled mattel's. and tlieii. rich hcrilage by coinpiling, publishing aiid preseiving records and
illustrative Inaterial coiicei'niiig ships aiid their part in Inercanlile and naval aclivity, and to proinole
and advaiice public education in current and historical iiautical affairs lli accordance with item 3 iii the
Soci¢ty's Memorandiim of Association.
ObJe¢tives and Actlvlties
Tlie World Sliip Society Limited's objectives are set out in it¢in 3 of its Memoranduin of Associatioii,
aiid in line with tliese objectives, the Society has contiiiued with its main activities of advanciiig and
supporting interest in, Iinderslanding of, study of. ai)d iEsearch into ships, sliipping ai)d irlated
Inatters, tIIA'oii8hout 2024. Tli¢ liiik between ilie Society's objectives aiid its activities (see beloiv) iii
the fiiifilinent of these objectives is sliowii by relating them to spe¢ifJc parts of ilein 3 ill the
Meinoraiidum of Associatioij.
Ileiii (3B) To pi'ovide opporluniliesfor ihe ipilei"change of slvdy of and i'esearch inlo ship&, s17ipping
aild p'elaled inallers,
The Society encourages its members to undertake research into sliips and sliippiiig, and during 2024
work coiiliniicd on publications coveriiig A Mariliine Review of 2022, A Mariliiiie revieiv of 2023,
Couri LI￿e, and Strick Llne. A number of typesci'ipts fi'om botli members ￿)d iioii-Inemb¢rs wej
revi¢wed dui'iiig the year and are being coi)sider¢d for publication.
Tlie Society holds a large and growing collection of photograpliic negatives, slides and priiits, The
cataloguiiig woi'k aiid conseivation work of tlie Photograpliic Libraiy teain enables these to be made
available for iise by inertnbers and otliets. During 2024 the Society received further di8ltal images aiid
colour slides, whicl) liave beeii catalogued for preseivatioii and future iise in publications. During
2024, tlje Society responded positively to requests for photographs f1￿M non-meinbers and tlie
Society's pliotograpliic collection coiitinues to be ali important researcli lool for membeis and non-
membei"s alik¢.
Ileiii (3C) To publish and disseiiiinale inJop'nialion concerning Jhips, shipping and related iiiallei's in
Ihe Society s jow*als, and 117 iheforiii of books, paniphlels Und bulletins, or any otherforiil of i'ecord
whlch wouldproliiole ihe objeclive.s of the Society.
Page 2

The World Shii) Society Liniited
Directoi's. Repoi't and Report to the Charity Commissionei"s (continued)
For tlie year ended 31 December 2024
Infoiinatioi) oil current and historical shippiiig matters is published in the Society's iiionthly joui'iial
Mai'ine Nejvs aiid lli Mai'ine NL)Ivs Siippleiiienl - four of the inontbly Mai'iiie Neivs Suppleinenls were
dedicatcd to tlie journal Wnrships. Information has also been provided to members and others in
response to specific enqiiiyies. The Society's Small Crnft Group coiitiiiued its work of trackkiig,
publicising aiid diss¢iiiinclting infonnatioii about the many PiEserved sjnall Ci'aft foi'inerly operated by
the Bi'itish ai'ined sei'vlces. This material is now published in the quartei'ly Waiships suppleineiit to
Mai'ii?e News.
Woi'k oli the digitisation of the Society's arcl)ive material and back i)umbers of Mai'ine News to make
it Inore easily available to members and iion-lneinbers has Continued. The fu)Ids raised fi'oin the sales
of tliis material will be used to further the Society's aims and objectives, and tliis work will continue
ij) future.
Jieiii (3D) To publi3h and disseininale records aiid repoi'ls oJpYoceedings of ihe Society, or associated
Ilvilies.
Braiich activities (sec 3H bolow) ¢ontinue to be ai)nounced aiid reported in Marine Nevi.s, as well as
011 tli¢ w¢bsite. The 2024 Annual Naval Meetiiig was held at the Royal Mai'itiii)e Cliib in Portsinouth
on 12 October and preparations for the 2025 meetlng are well advanced. Attendance at tl)ese meetii)gs
is open to inembers and non-m¢inbers.
Iiein (3E) lo hold, proinole oi. suppoi'l confei'ences. seiiiiiiars. Ineelings, syiiiposia and lecliires
concei'ning ships and i'elaled inallers, which ore open lo all.
Meetings continue to be l)eld, usually monthly, by most of11)e Society's Branches (se¢ 3FI below for
more information). The 2024 Aiu)ual General Meetin8 of the Society took place in Chatham during
May> providii)g opportunity for members to meet and visit sites ofmaritune interest.
Itein (3F) To aequire by pw'chase, lease or oiherwise preniises lo ILry out. and inalnlaiii ihe sanie and
bi¢ild oi. oiheiwise piovide a librapy and ai'chivc and oihei. usual facililies in coNiieclioii wilh
pp'eserviiig i'ecords ofships and sliipping. and iofui'nish. iiiodify and niaiiilain il, and to pei'iiiil il lo be
used by ineiiibeis, Iheii'ft'iends aild nieinbei s ofihepublic eiihei. graluilously orfoi'payvienl.
Tlie Society's library aiid archive situated in th¢ Chatl)am Historic Dockyard has traditionally beeii
open duriiig Éhe dockyard's open season from Fcbruary to Novcmb¢r, offeriii8 a libi'ary service
iiicILiding answers to qucrics froin members and the public, ai)d cui'ating the Society's collection of
records doiiated by members. Subject to availability of volunteers it is intended to open on Tuesdays
aiid Thursdays duriiig 2025.
Ilein (3H) To foi'iii secfioiis oi. bl'anches of ihe Society whei'ever praclicable ihroughoui ihe woi'ld io
fvyilier (he objects of the Sociely.
During 2024 The Society had 22 active Branches in thc Unitcd Kingdoin and a further I l overseas.
Attendance at Branch meetings is also op¢n to members of tl)e public and these me¢tlligs PA'ovide
opportunitics for the ¢xchan8e of iiiforination, news and opinions about ships, shippillg ai)d related
matters. The Society supports lh¢ activities of Brancbes by providing slide shows and Powci'Point
pIEsentations for use at meetings. Fiiiancial supwrt for Branclics and their mectin8s was provided in
tlie form of a £4 rebate to each Branch for every Society member who renews their membership
tlirough tliat Branch.
Page 3

Tlie World Shii) Society Liinited
Dii'ectors, Repoi't aiid Report to the Charily Commi&siollei'8 (conlinued)
For tlie yeai. en(led 31 Deeembei. 2024
Several Uiiited Kinbidom and Overscas Branches produce Inonthly newsletters or e-joiii'nals
addressing sliippiiig matt¢t's of local interest foi- distribulioj) to tl)eii' local ineiiibers. otlier Incjnbers of
the Society and other iiiterested parties. Solne Braiiches have also establislied tlieir own websites to
adveitise tlieir activities as well as providing a foriim foi. discussioi) of their local shipping sceiie. The
Society encourages braiiches to set lip their owii websttes.
Iieiii (31) To co-opei'ale ii>ith any oi¥ani,salions, socielies, coiiipaiiies oi. pei'.goiis (Ivhcjiliei. nali07ial.
intei'nalioFial oi. local) wliose objecls, in ilie opinioii of ilie Coiincil of ihe Society, al'e oi. include the
advanceinent ofihe objecls of ihe Society.
Co-operatioii with organisations having s(milar aiins has genej'ally iiicluded exteiiding¥ jiivitations to
members of such groiips to attend events sucl) as the Society's Aiiiiual Naval Meeting, .sp¢cial eveiits,
aiid to participate iii Braiich ineetiIigs. Siiice 2012 Tlie Society has loaned a substaiilial iiumber of
book.s abolit warsliips to tlic Explosion Museiim iii Gospoit, Flainpshire. tliei'eby establisliiiig a basic
I'esellrch library in this Inuseum.
lieiii (3K) To sell, iiioi'igage. dispose of oi. lurn lo accouni oll oi. any of ihe propei'ty or assels of ihe
Society as may be expedieiit iviih a view lo ihepivinolioii of ils objecls.
Sales of donated secoiid-hand books and photographs have traditionally coiitributed towards meeting
the costs of tlie building itt the Chatliam Historic Dockyai'd wliich house5 tl)e Society's arcl)ive and
libraiy. Duriiig 2024 the Society donated about 100 books to the Eastchurcl) Aviation Museuin and
about SO to the Chatham Model Railways Society, to ihe value of approxiinately £700.
The World Ship Society Liinited l)as iio paid staff and is entirely dependeJ)t upon voluntee1¥ di'awn
froin the ranks of its inembers. Witliout tliese voliiiiteeis the Society would be unable to uiideitake any
of tlie a¢iivities underpiiining its objectives oi. provide any services to Ineinbers or the public.
Opeiiiiig of oui. Chatliain libraiy aiid arcl)ive is dependeiit on availability of volui)teers prepared to
give up on¢ or inore days every week to work on tlie archives aiid assist Ineinbers ftiid non-1iieAnbers
visiting the fAcility.
Braiich olyicers typically spend many hours each moiitl) working on behalf of tlieii. Braiicli, wliile
those providing a rang¢ of other Society seivices give substantially more tiine for tlieir roles.
Tlie Society's aiitlioi's, editors and proof-readers, working on the Society's publicatioii programin¢
contiiiue to givc theii. tiine to ensure that these income-geiieratiiig projects coine to fruition. Similarly,
those running the Society's image archive give many hours of work catalogiiing aftd conserving tlie
collection as well as Jnakii)g pi¢tur¢s available for sale to Inembers aIid non-ineinbers.
Tlie editorial teani compiling the Society's monthly journal Marine Nemis and the editors of the
i'egiilar Mai'ine News Suppleiiienl and the journal Waisliips also coinmit many houis of effoit to tliese
publi¢atioiis, significantly expanding the breadth of topics covered.
Page 4

Tbe World Ship Society Limited
Directors, Report and Report to the Charity Cominissioners (colltinved)
Foi. tlie year ended 31 December 2024
Aebievenients aud performance
Duriiig 2024 tlie Society coiitiiiued to provide the services described in its aims and objectives as
detailed iii tlie Objectives and Activities scction (above).
111 2018, the Society iiiitiated travel bu￿arleS each worth £1 00 to siipport PIID studcnts delivering oi'al
oi. postei. pi'esentations at researcl) Ineetings. Duriiig 2024 five bui'saries were awai-ded to students
atteiiding the New Reseai'chers Conference, organised by the Britisl) Coininission for Maritime
History
Along witli similai. orgaiiisatioiis, the Society ljas seen a gradual declii)e in Inembeiship ovei. I'eceiit
ye&i's, almost cei'tainly due to a perceived lack of interest in shipping especially iii Ihe UK where ships
are niuch less visible tliaii hitherto, aiid wlierc the appeal of seafaring as a careei. lias declined. Awai'e
of tl)is decline, the Society continues to review its activities and pron)ote these whei'ever possible.
Plans for future periods
The Society ceased roiitine production of the paper moiithly journal Marine Ne)vs, in 2013 and
I'eplaced it willi ali electroiiic copy. Tliis resulted in a sigiiificant reduction ii) the meinbe1511ip fee, aijd
allowed the Society to recapitalise. Those members tl)at require a papei. copy pay the full cost of that
copy (including postage) iii addition to the membership fee. The reduced printing costs elimiiiated
previous losses, and the Society's target remains to break even.
The Diirctoi's operate a policy of not increasiiig the ai)nual membership fee for as loiig as is
pi'acticable to eiicourage tlie retentioii of existiA)8 Inembers aiid the recruilment of new meinbcrs. The
digital foi'mat of Mai'iiie News should also appeal to youngei. poteiitial Inembers, while also allowing
the Society to exploit a raiige of digital media in future.
The savings generated by going digital have allowed the Society to Inaintain ils activities in line with
the objectives set out iii tlie Meinoraiiduni of Association.
Page 5

Tlie Woi'ld Ship SociL.ty Limited
Directors, Report alld Report to the Cbai'ity Con)missioners (continiied)
ri oi, tlie year ended 31 Deceniber 2024
The Society and Éts Brai)ches will reinforce alld improve links to other organisatioiis, iiiiiseums aJ)d
locHI societies to assist in tlie developinent of botl) oiii. and tlieir aiiiis in tli¢ ficld of sljippiiig reseairli,
pi'eservation of ai'cliive matei'ial and pliotograpliic images.
Tl)e Society plaiis to contiijue publicatioi) of A Mariliinc> Review of the year, and fiii'thei. titles and
fleet histoi'Èes.
The Society will seek to increase tl)¢ awareiiess of its objectives ai)d a¢tivili¢s tliix>ugliout 2025 aiid
beyond witli an increase ii) marketiiig aiid advertising, and througli fuitl)ei' collaboration witli like-
Iniiidcd orgaijisations aiid charities.
Trustees, responslbilities slatement
Tlie tt'ustees (who are also Directors of Tlie World Ship Society Limited for ihe piii'poses of company
law) are respoiisible for prepariiig tlie Trustees, Annual Report aiid the financial siateineiits in
accoi'dance with applicable law aiid United Kingdoin Accountiiig Stai)dards (United Kii)gdom
Geiiei'ally Accepted Accoiinting Practice).
Coinpany law requires the tnistees to prepare financial slatemeiits for eacli financial year, whicli give
a true and fail. view of the state of affairs of the cliaritable compaiiy aiid of the ii)coining I'esources and
application of resources, includiiig the income and expenditure, of the cliarilable coinpany for tliat
period. In preparing il)ese financial statements, the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounling policies and then apply thctn coiisistently.
obseiv¢ the Jnetliods aiid principles in the Charities SORP 2019 {FRS 102);
Inake judgemeiits aiid estimates that are reasonable aiid prudent;
state whetlier applicable UK Accounting Standards have been follow¢d, subject to any
material depaituiEs disclosed and explained in tlie finaiicial statemei)ts'
prepare tlie fiiiancial stateinents oli tl)e going coiicern basis unless it 1$ ijiappi'opriate to
presume that tli¢ charitable ¢oinpany will coi)tiiiue iii opei'ation.
Pag¢ 6

Tlie Wurld Sliip Society Limited
Directors, Report and Report to the Charity CommissioneiB (CODtinued)
Foi. tlie yeai. ended 31 Deeember 2024
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting recoi'ds Ihat disclose with i'easonable
acciiracy at any time the finaiicial positioii of tlie charilable coi)]pany aiid enable them to ensui'c tliat
tlie financial statements coinply witli the Compaiiies Act 2006. Tl)ey are also respoiisible fol.
safeguardiiig tli¢ assels of the charitable company ￿}d hence for taking reasoiiable steps foi. the
preventioii aiid detection of fi'aiid alid other irregularities.
Tliis i'epoit was approved by tlie Board on
17LL
and signed on its belialf by
J. A. Poole
Secretaiy
Pag¢ 7

Tlie Woi'ld Sliip Society Liniited
In(lependent Ei xamiller's Repoi't to the Truslees of The World Ship Society Limited
Foi. tlie year ended 31 De¢eniber 2024
I report oil tlje accouiits of The World Sliip Society Liinited for the ycar ended 31 Deceinbej. 2024, set
out on pagcs 9 to 17.
Respective Yesponsibilitie8 of triistees and examiller
As the cl)ai'ity li'ustces (and also its dii'ectors for the purposes of coinpaiiy law) you ait respoiisible for
tlie pi'eparation of tlie accoiints in accoi'dance witl) the requii'enieiits of tl)e Compaiii¢s Act 2006 (tlie
2006 Act).
Having satisfied iiiyself that tlie accouiits of the coinpany are not reqiiired lo be audited uiider part 16
of ihe 2006 Act and al-e eligible for indepeiidei)t examination, I repoi't li) respect of iny exaininatioii of
youi. coiiipany's accouiits as carried out uiider section 145 of tlie Chai'ities Act (the 201 l Act). In
cai'rying out my exainiiiation I have followed thc Dir¢ctions given by th¢ Charity Coinmissioi) ui)der
sectioii 145{5)(b) of tlie 201 l Act.
Iiidependent examiner's stAtement
I IIRve coinpleted my exaiiiinatioii. I confirm tljat no matt¢is liave coine to iny att¢ntioi) in coiinectioii
with th¢ exam iiiation giving Ine cause to believe that ii) any Inaterial respect:
aecountiiig recoi'dg were not kept ii) respect of tlie compaiiy as reqiiired by section 3 86 of tlie
Companies Act 2006; or
2. the accounts do iiot accottl with those records: or
3. tlie a¢couiits do iiot coinply with the accoiinting irquiitineiits of seclion 396 of the 2006 Aci
otl)er tliaii aiiy requirement that the accounts give a 'true Rl)d fail. view, whicli is iiot a Inatter
eonsidei'ed as part of ali independeiit examination. or
4. the accounts have not been prepaird iii accordailce with tl)e methods aiid priiiciples of th¢
Statement of Re¢oniinended Practice for accountiiig and reporting by cljarilies (applicable to
charities preparin8 tlieir accoui)ts iii accoi'daiice witli ihe Fiiiaiicial R¢poitiiig Standard
applicable in tlie UK aiid Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
I liave no coiicerns aiid have come across no other matte13 in connection witli the exaininatioii to
wliich att¢iitioii should be drawn in this report in ord¢r to enable a proper understandiiig of th¢
accouiits to be reached.
P. Munk FCA FCCA
TWP Accountiiig LLP
Chai'tei'ed Accountants and Statutory Aiiditors
Tlie Old Rectory
Cliurch Street
Weybridge
Sui'rey
KT13 8DE
Date:
Page 8

Tlie Worl(1 Sliip Society Limited
Statement of fi inaneial Activities ineorpora(ing Ittcome And xpellditui'e
For the yeai. ended 31 December 2024
Unrestricted & Total Funds
Notes
2024
2023
Ijiconie and Eniloiymenls from:
Donatioiis aiid legacies
Other tradii)g activities
Iiicome froin investments
1,874
50,286
7.037
1,247
53,782
4,741
Total Iiicome aiid Endowmell18
59.197
59,770
Expenclilure on:
ExpeiidituiE on raising funds
35.947
36,955
Expeiiditure on charitable activities
Othei. r¢sources ¢xpended
24,718
24,945
12
Total Expenditure
60,665
61,900
Net Inovemcnt in funds
(1,468)
(2,130)
Total funds brought forward
309.363
311,493
Total fuiids carried forward
307,895
309,363
Tliere are no recogiiised gaiiis or losses other than tlie surplus or deficit for the above finaiicial yeai..
All ii)coming resoui'ces and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 12 to 17 forni an integral part of these financial stateinents.
Page 9

I'he Woi'ld Sliip Society Limited - Registered Number 04449095
ljal&)Jee Sheet
As at 31 Deceinbei. 2024
Notes
2024
2023
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets
30,027
30,304
Cui'i'ent Assets
Stocks
Debtoi's
Casli at bank aiid in hand
Iiivestmeiits
965
3,945
151,323
150,000
1,033
5.103
153,491
150,000
306,233
309,627
CrÈditoi%: amouiits falling due
Ivithiii onc year
28.365
29,414
Net Current Assets
277,868
280,213
TotAI Assels leys Curi'ent Liabilitie8
307,895
310,517
Credltoi's . amounts fallillg due after
more than one year
10
(1,154)
Net Assets
307,895
309,363
Chai'ity Funds
Unrestricted Funds
307,895
309,363
The notes OA pages l2 to 17 forn] an integral part of thas¢ fllwicial statemejits.
Page 10

The Woi'ld Shii) Society Liniited
Balance Sheet (contlnued)
As a131 Deeember 2024
For the yeai. eliding 31 December 2024 tlie coi))pany was eiititl¢d to ¢x¢mption fi'om audit under
Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to Slnall Coinpanies.
DirectoiT' Responsibilities:
The members have not required the coinpany to obtain an audit of its accouiils for the yeai. ii)
questioii in accordaiice will) Sectioii 476.
The directoi's ackIiowledge their responsibilities for complyllig with the irquireinents of tl)e
Act witli respect to accounting records and the preparatioji ofaccounts.
Th¢ fiiiancial statem¢nts Iiav¢ beeii prepared in accordance with tlie provisions applicable to
conipanies subject lo the Small Compaiiics. Rcgime of the Compaiiies Act 2006 and in accoi'dRnce
with tlic pi'ovisioiis of FRS 102, The Fiiiancial Reporting Standai'd applicabl¢ in tli¢ Uiiited Kiiigdom
and tli¢ Republic of Ireland.
The financial statemeiits were approved by the Board on
7MY
and siglled oli its belialf by
D. Maccoy
Diiretoi.
The notes on pages 12 to 17 fonn an integral part of tliese financial statejnents.
Pagell

Tlie Woi'ld Ship Society Liniited
Iyotes to tlie FiiiAiieial Statements
Foi. tlie year ended 31 Deeenibei. 2024
Accountlng Polieies
Basis of preparalion of finaneiAI statemellts
Tlie financial stateinents I￿ve been p￿pared in accordai)ce ivitl) Accounting ai)d Reporting by
Cliai'iti¢s: Stateineiit of Recommended Practice applicable to chai'ities pi'epariiig thell.
accounts in accordance witli tl)e Fii)aiicial Reporting Standard applicable iii the UK and
Republic of IL'elaiid (FRS 102) (effective l Jaiiijai'y 2019) - {Cl)ai'ftties SORP (FRS 102)), tlie
Financial Reporting Staiidard applicable in the UK and Republic of Irelaiid {FRS 102) and tlie
Coiiipanies Act 2006.
Tlie fiiiancial statemeiits liave been prcpared to give a 'true and fail view ai)d have depai'ted
fi'oIii tlie CIIArities (Accouiits aiid Reports) Rcgulalions 2008 oiily to the extciil I'equired to
provide a 'triie aiid fair, view, This departure l)as iJ)volved following tl)e Cliarities SOllP (t4RS
102) issued iii October 2019 ratli¢i' th811 the Accouiiting aiid Repoiling by Cliarities:
Stateineiit of Recommended Practice effective from l Api'KI 2005 whicli has since been
witlidrawi).
The Woi'ld Sliip Society Limited Ineets the definition of a piiblic beiiefit eiitity iiiider FRS
102. Assets aiid liabilities are iiiitially recowlised at liistorical cost or tiaiisaclioii valiie uiiless
othenvise stated in tlie relevant oc¢ounting policy.
The finaiicial stateinei)ts are presented in sterling which is tlie fiinctioiial ciii'reiicy of tlie
Cl)arity and i'oiiiided to nearest £.
The significant accounting policies applied in tli¢ preparation of these finaiicial stateiiieiits al'e
set out below. These policies have beei) consistei)tly applied to all years prese11t￿ uiiless
otlierwise stated.
Cash tlow
The ¢oiiipany lias taken advantage of the disclosure exemplion of 'Update Bulletin I, in
pi'epai'iiig th¥se finanlial staleinents as perinitled by FRS 102 "Tlie Finai)cial Repoiting
Standai'd applicable in tlie UK and Republ ic of Ireland"
Company status
Tlie World Ship Society Limited (04449095) is iii¢orporated and a Registei'ed Cliai'ity
(1139902) in Eiiglaiid aiid Walcs.
The ¢oinpany is a coinpany limited by guarat]tee ai)d has no share capital. The meinbers of
the coinpany are the Tnislees named on page l. Ii) Ihe eveiit of tlie coinpany beli)8 woiind up,
the liability in respect of tl)e guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the compaiiyj includiiig
up to oiie year after ceasing to be a meinber. The address of tlie registered office is giveii on
pag¢ l.
Going concern
The financial statcments have been prepared on a going conceni basis as the trustees believe
that no material uncertainties exist. The truste¢s have consid¢ird tli¢ level of funds held and
the expected level of income and expendittti'e for 12 moiiths from aiithoi'isiiig these fjiiancial
statements. The budgeted income aiid expcnditure is sufficicnt witli the levcl of reserves for
tlie cliarity to be ablc to continue as a going concern.
Page 12

Tlie Woi'lil Sliip Society Limiled
Notes to the Finallcial Statements (contiiiu¢d)
Foi. the year ended 31 December 2024
Income
All incom¢ is recognised once the company has eiititleiiieiit to the income, it is pi'obable thal
the income will be received and tlic amoiint of iiicome i'cceivable can be n)easiired ￿liablY.
liicoine i'epresents Ihe total value. of goods sold (excludiiig VAT) during the year,
meinbership siibscriptions aiid doiiatioiis. Membership subscriptioiis are accoui)ted for on an
aecrlials basis and doiiatioiis are recogi)ised ii) full when they are pix)bable.
liiconie tax recovei7ble in relation to doiifttioiis received Iiiider Gift Aid or decds of cov¢naiit
is recogiiis¢d at the tim¢ of the donalioi).
Expencliture
Exp¢nditiii'e is recognised once there is a legal or consts'uctive obligation to traiisfer economic
benefit to a third paity. it is probable ihftt a transfer of economic benefits will be i'equired iii
settlement and the ainount of the obligation can bo ineasiir¢d reliably. Expenditure is
classified by activity. The costs of each activity made up of tl)e total of direct costs ai)d
sliared costs, iiicluding support costs involved in undertakiiig each activity. Direct costs
alli'ibutable to a single activity are allocated directly to iliat activity. Sliared costs which
contribiite to mol'e than one activity and suppx)rt costs whicl) are Iiot atti'ibutable to a si)Igle
activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistei)t ivith the use of
resources. Depreciation charges are allocal¢d on the poition of the asset's use. Support costs
are tliose costs incuiT¢d directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the company and
include project management cari'ied out at Headqiiart¢rs. Governance costs are those incurred
ii) conneetioii with administi'atioii of tl)e Colnp￿)Y aiid coiiipliance with constitutional and
statutory reqiiireinents.
Charitable activities and Governaiice costs are costs incurred on the company's educational
operatioiis, including support costs aiid costs relating to the governance of the company
apportioned to Gharitable activities.
All expenditure is ¢xGliisive of VAT.
Volunteer and other donAled ¥eiwice$
Tlie value of services provided by volunteers is not incorporated into tliese financial
statements.
Foreign currcncy
Foreign currency transactions are initially r￿QgniSed by applying to the foi'eigii curi'ency
aiiiount the spot exchange rate betW￿n the funclional cUr￿ncY aiid tlie foirign curiEncy at tl)e
date of the transaction.
Monetary assets ￿ld liabilities denominated in a foreign currency at tlie balance slieet date are
traiislated using the closiiig rate.
Tangible fixed assets and depreeiation
A review for impairnent of a fixed asset is cari'ied out if evcnts or cliaiiges in circumstai)ces
iiJdicat¢ tl)at the carrying value of any r￿ed asset may not be recoverable. Shortfalls between
the canying value of r￿ed assets and their recoverable amouiits are recogiiised as
impainn¢nts. linpairm¢nt losses are recognised tn tlie Statement of Fiiiancial Activities
Incorporating Income and Expenditure Account.
Page 13

Tlie World Sli1[) Siociety Liinited
Notes to the Finaiicial Statements (conÉinue<l)
For the yeay ended 31 December 2024
Tangible fixed assets al'e cari-ied at cost, net of depreciatioii and any provision foi. inipairinei)t.
Depi'eciatioii is piDvided at rates calciilated to write off tlie cost of fixed assets, less tlieu.
esliinated rcsidiial value, over their expected isseful lives on tlie following bases:
Equipiiient
Computers
Researcli Material
20 /0 reduciiig balai)ce
500/0 rediicing balai)ce
not depreciated
1.10 Interest receivable
liiterest on funds held oli deposit is llicliided wlien receivable and the amount cai) be
Ineasui'ed reliably by tlie eoinpany. this is nomially upoii notificatioi) of tlie uilei'est paid oi.
payable by ili¢ Bank.
1.11 Stock
Stocks air stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling pi'iee less costs to coinplele aiid
sell. Cost includes all costs of purchase. costs of conversion and otliei. costs inGuri'¢d in
bringing stock to its present location and condilion. Cost is calculated using the first-iii, first-
out fomiula, Provision is made for damaged, obsolet¢ and slow-moving stock wl)eiE
appropriate.
1.12 Debtor8
Trade and otliei. debtors aye recogiiised at ihe settleinei)t amount after aiiy tt2de discount
offered. Pi'epayments ar¢ valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
1.13 Casli at Bank anil in hanql
Cash at baiik aiid iii haiid i1)cludes casl) and short term highly liquid investmeiits with a sl)ort
maturity of tl)ree moiitlis or less from the date of acquisitioi) or opening of the deposit or
siinilai. account.
1.14 Investments
Curreiit asset investm¢iits are sliort term hi81)ly liquid investinei)ts aiid ait held at fail. valu¢.
These iiiclude casl) 011 deposit and cash eqiiivalents with a maturity of less than one year.
1.15 LIAbillties aNd provisions
Liabilities are rwognised wh¢ii tlier¢ is ali obligatioi) at thc ]3alaiicc Slieet date as a I'esult of a
past ¢veiit, it is probable iliat a transfci. of ecoi)omic benefit will be i'equii'ed ii) settlemeiit, aiid
tlic ainount of ilic s¢ttlem¢nt cali be estimated reliably. Liabilities are rccognised at tlie
ainount that th¢ coinpany anticipat¢s it will pay to settle the debt or tl)e amount it has received
as advanced payinents for the goods or services it must provide. PA￿VIsIo17S are m¢asur¢d at
the best estimate of the ainounts reqiiiiEd to settle the obligation. Wiere the effect of tlie time
valiie of money is material, the provision is based oli the preseiit value of those amounts,
discouiited at the pre-tax dis¢oiiiit rate that reflects tlie risks specific to thc liability. Tlie
unwinding of tlie discoiint is recogiiised withui intcirst payable and similar charges.
1.16 Financlal instruniellts
Tlie company only has financial assets and finaiicial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic
finaiicial Anstrumeiits. Basic financial instruments are initially recogniscd at transactioii valiie
and subseqiiently measured at their settlement valuc with the exception of bank loans which
are subscqucntly ineasiired at amortised cost using the effective interest inethod.
Page 14

The World Ship Society Liniited
Notes to the fi iiiAllCiAI Statements {conlinued)
Foi, the year ended 31 December 2024
1.17 Taxation
Tlie compally is VAT regist¢red on tli¢ basis its material incoining resources are not exempt.
For this IEason its purchases and expenses are stated to excluded VAT where cliai'ged. The
coinpany is not liable to corporatioj) tax as its activities are solely foj. charitable piii'poses.
1.18 Fuiid accounting
Genei'al fiinds are unyestricted fimds whicl) are available for use at the discretioii of the
Trustees in furthei'ance of tlie geiieTal objectives of the coinpany and which Iiave not beeii
designated for other piirposes.
Incoming Resoui'ces
The total Ii)coinii)g Resoiirces of tl)e company for the year l)ave been d¢rived froin its
priiicipal activlty wholly uiidertaken in the U.K. Overseas meinbe13hip irpresents
approximately 480/0 of the total, but il is iinpractical lo estiinate the amount atti'ibutablc to
overseas ni¢mbers.
Material incoine streams consist of membersliip fees, £41,157 {2023 £42,348), sales,
£8,584 (2023 - £11,434) and donatioiis and bequests £1,874 (2023 - £1,247).
Operating Result
2024
2023
Operating resiilt is stated after char8ii)g:
Depreciatioii and otlier amoiinls writt¢n off tangible assets
Independeiit exaininers fees payable
277
1,850
678
1,850
Taxalioll
2024
2023
UK current year taxAtion
UK Corporatioii Tax at 19% (J 90/0)
Page 15

Tlie World Shii) Society Limited
Notes to tlie Financial Statements (eontillued)
Foi. the year ended 31 Decenibei. 2024
Tangible Fixed Assets
Rcsearch
Material
Equlynient
Total
Cost
At l Jai)uary 2024
Additions
Disposals
28,919
13,919
42,838
At 31 Decembei. 2024
28,919
13,919
42,838
Depreciation
At l January 2024
Eliminated oil diswsal
Charge foi. the year
12.534
12,534
277
277
At 31 Decembei, 2024
12,811
12,811
Net Book VRlue
At l Jaiiiiary 2024
28,919
1,385
30,304
At 31 Deceinb¢r 2024
28,919
1,108
30,027
Slocks
2024
2023
Publ ications
Shop
600
365
1,033
965
1,033
Debtors
2024
2023
Trade debtoi3
Prepayments and accnied ii)come
Taxation
1,340
2.386
1,377
2.588
1,357
3,945
5,103
Page 16

The World Ship Society Limlted
Notes to tlie Flnancial Statemenls (continued)
ri oi. the year ende(131 December 2024
Inveslillents
2024
2023
Other llivestmenls - Natioiial Savings Income Bonds
150,000
150,000
CredltOl'8 . amounls falling due
within one yeAr
2024
2023
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accriials aiid deferred inconie
Taxation
1,166
3,988
27,199
25,426
28,365
29,414
M¢mbersl)ip f¢es rex¢Ev￿ ill advance are included in deferred income.
10.
Ci'editor8 . amounls falling due
After more than one yeAr
2024
2023
Accruals and deferred income
1,154
Share Capital
Tlie charity is a company limited by guayantee and ljas iio share capital.
12.
Governanee Costs
Govcrnance costs coinpi'ise the cost of the Jndepeiident Ex81niners i'eport £1.850 (2023
£1,850} a proportion of the uisui'ance cosls of the Society, otliei. accountaiicy and regulatory
ainoiints atid Trustees travelling expenses for nieetings £3,381 (2023 - £2.250), 7 (2023 5)
Trustees claitned travelling exp¢A)ses durin8 tlie year.
13.
TrAnsAetlons Ivith Ti'uslees
Trustees are not paid for tlme or services and tlie company has no einployees.
No paynieiits. other than expenses as noted abov¢, were paid to ili¢ Trust¢¢s.
14.
Analysi8 of Net Assets betweeD Funds
All net assets are iEpresented by unrestricted funds.
Page 17

The World Ship Society IAmited
The following pages do not forin part of the Statutory Financial Statements

The World Ship Society Limited
Detailed Illcome and xpenditure Accoiint
Foi, the yeai. to 31 December 2024
2024
2023
Mai'ine Neivs
Meinbership Fees
Life Meinbers - allocated
Sale of back numbers (includiiig CDS)
Paper copies
23,449
1,153
26
17,725
23,923
1.153
18.424
42,353
1,196
43,500
,152
Deduct Bi'aii¢h Rebates
Net Meinbersliip Income
41,157
42.348
Mariiie News pi'oduction
Marine News pi'inting
Mai'ine News postag¢
9,800
13,697
4,868
9,524
13,836
4,783
(28,365)
(28,143)
Surplus
12,792
14,205
Admini8traÉion Expenses
Adveitising
Accoui)tancy
Bllnk cliaY8es
Coiincil ineetiiigs and travel
Insuraiic¢
Office costs
Cliatl)am costs
Website ho.8ting and maii)tenaiice
Depreciation
Cost of collecting legacies
Otlier expeiises
A.G.M.
2,350
1,787
5,093
3,482
1,558
9,971
1,850
1,955
4,150
3,316
1,428
8,385
277
200
678
1,188
1,795
24.718
24,745
(11,926)
(10,540)
Otliei. Ineome
Advertising
Iiiterest
Chathain sales
6,526
2,380
4,536
2.898
8.906
7,434
Deficit on Main Actlylty
(3,020)
(3,106)
Page 18

Tlie Woi'lil Sliip Society Limited
DetAileil Inconie and Exi)enditure Account (contillued)
oi. the year to 31 December 2024
2024
2023
Brouglit forwai'd
{3,020)
(3.106)
Biii'saries
{450)
(200)
Other Activities
Waysliips
Sales
Cost of Sales
liiterest
Sui'plus
Shop
Sales
Cost of Sales
327
(191)
365
(641)
Surylus / (Deficit)
136
(276)
Caleiidars
Sales
Cost of Sales
1,003
(1,548)
1,368
(1,366)
Surpliis l (Deficit)
(545)
Re8lSters and Lists
Sales
Cost of Sales
Sui'plus
Publications
Sales
Cost of SRles
4,869
(4,848)
6,803
(6.805)
Surplus l (Deficit)
21
(2)
Surplus l (Deficit) on other activities
(383)
(276)
Carried forward
(3,853)
(3,582)
Page 19

Tlie World Ship Society Limited
Detailed Iiieome Expenditui"e Account
FOY tl)e yeai. to 31 December 2024
2024
2023
Mai'ine Neivs
Meinbership Fees
Life Meinbers - allocated
Sale of back Iiiiinbers (including CDS)
Paper copies
23,449
1,153
26
17.725
23,923
1,153
18,424
Deduct Bi'aiich Rebat¢s
42,353
,196
43,500
1,152
Net Membership Incoine
41,157
42,348
Marine News productioi)
Mai'ine News pi'intiIig
Marine News postage
9,800
13.697
4,868
9,524
13,836
4,783
(28,365)
(28,143)
Surplus
12.792
14,205
Admlnistration Expenses
Advei'tising
A¢coiiiitancy
Bank cliurges
Couiicil meetin8s and travel
Insiii'ance
Office Costs
Chatliain costs
Website hosting and maint¢nai)ce
Depi'eciatioii
Cost of collecting legacies
Othei, expenses
A.G.M.
2.350
1,787
5,093
3,482
1,558
9.971
1,850
1,955
4,150
3,316
1,428
8,385
277
200
678
1,188
1,795
24,718
24,745
Other Income
(11,926)
(10,540)
Advertising
Interest
ch￿th￿n sales
6,526
2,380
4,536
2,898
8.906
7,434
Defieit Main Aetivlty
{3,020)
(3,106)
Page 18

The World Sliip Society Limited
Detailed Income and Expendlture Accoiint (continued)
401. tlie yeAr to 31 Decembev 2024
2024
2023
Bi'oiight forward
(3,020)
(3,106)
Bursairyes
(450)
(200)
Otlier Aetivilies
Warsliips
Sales
Cost of Sales
Interest
sU￿111s
Shop
Sales
Cost of Sales
327
(191)
365
(641)
Sui'plus l (D¢fieit)
136
(276)
Caleiidars
Sales
Cost of Sales
1,003
(1,548)
1,368
{1,366)
Surplus l (Deficit)
(545)
Registers and Lists
Sales
Cost of Sales
Surplus
Publicatioiis
Sales
Cost of Sales
4,869
(4,848)
6,803
(6,805)
Siii'plus l (Deficit)
21
(2)
Surpliis l (Dcficit) on other activities
(383)
(276)
Carried forward
(3,853)
(3,582)
Page 19

The World Ship Society Limited
Detailed Iiicome and Expenditure Accoullt (Colltinued)
Foi. the yeai, to 31 Deeember 2024
2024
2023
Brouglit forward
(3.853}
(3.582)
Vei)ttire Fund
Donalions
Bequests
1.874
1,247
1,874
1,247
Ai'cl)ive Digitisation Fund
Income - uit¢i'est
Expenses
205
511
205
Increase l (Deei'e48e) in ReBerves
(1.468)
(2,130)
Page 20

The World Ship Society Liniite
Aiialysis of Reserve8
At 31 Decembei. 2024
Warships ajid Small Craft Gi'oup
Balance brought fonvard l Jai)uary 2024
Sui'plus for tl)e year
15,452
Balance carried forward 31 Decembei. 2024
15.457
Ventui'e Fund
Balance brouglit foiward l January 2024
Donalions and bequests
100,642
1,874
Balance cai'ried forwai'd 31 D¢¢ember 2024
102.516
Archive Digit18atioll Fund
Balance broiight forward l January 2024
Surplus for tlie year - intei'¢st
15,893
511
Balance carried forward 31 December 2024
16,404
General Fund
Balaiice brouglit forward l Januaiy 2024
Deficit froin Income aiid Expeiiditure Account
177,376
1,468
175,908
Less transfers:
Warships aiid Small Craft Group
Ventiirc Fiind
Archive Digitisation Fund
1,874
2,390
Balance carried forward 31 December 2024
173,518
Summaiy
Waysliips and Small Craft Group
Venture Fund
Arcliive Digitisatioii Fuiid
Geiieral Fund
15,457
102,516
16,404
173,518
307,895
Page 21