An appeal has been launched to raise £20,000 to enable the half-scale replica of the Dover Bronze Age Boat to go into the sea - and float - for the first time.

The project, by Canterbury Archaeological Trust, is a continuation of the work done last year to construct the replica boat and launch it into the dock at Dover.

But it ended in failure, when water immediately got into the boat and it started sinking.

Those behind the project said the construction work had taken longer than expected, and so there wasn’t enough time to make the boat watertight before it had to be moved to France to take part in a major exhibition.

The replica is currently on display in Ename, Belgium, but will return to Dover next month.

The rest of the exhibition, entitled Beyond the Horizon and featuring Bronze Age finds drawn from either side of the Channel, will re-open in Dover Museum in July.

Paul Bennett, of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust explains the work

But it is hoped, during July and August, to strip down the replica boat and rebuild it to make it watertight.

“Having learnt the lessons of our previous attempt, and now with sufficient time, our team of experts, led by ancient technology specialist Richard Darrah, are confident that this time they can succeed in making the boat seaworthy,” said Dover archaeologist Dr Andrew Richardson, who is outreach manager of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust.

“Once that is done, the boat will be launched and taken to sea, initially in Dover Harbour, but ultimately into the Channel and along the coast to Folkestone.”

Dr Richardson said £20,000 has to be raised by June 1 if the project is to go ahead.

By earlier today, there were 37 pledges totalling £2,622.

Dover Bronze Age Boat replica

“The boat CAN be made seaworthy, and if this is done, then the boat replica will have many years of useful life ahead of it,” said Paul Bennett, who is chairman of the Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust.

Mr Bennett has played a leading role in overseeing all aspects of the boat’s story, from its discovery in 1992, through its conservation and display, to the construction of the half-scale replica in 2012.

“The replica boat will be used as often as possible at local and national events to publicise the Dover Boat gallery in Dover Museum, and to help draw attention and visitors to Dover itself.

"In addition, the construction of the replica was filmed by Time Team.

"If we launch it they will film that and broadcast a special episode on the project, bringing the boat, the boat gallery and Dover to a very wide audience.”

There are various benefits, and titles, being offered to people who pledge money to the project, from a tribe member and a badge for those who give £5 to a Chieftain, and a chance to row the boat, for those who donated £500.

Pledges can be made on the website.