An historic steam tug is set to be de-constructed at the end of the year as its restoration is too expensive.

The Cervia – which has a long, working history in Gravesend – is currently in Smeaton’s Dry Dock, Ramsgate, and needs re-plating below the waterline.

In December 2018, the vessel partially sank after a small area of the rusty hull caused a leak. It was fixed by fitting a concrete patch and reopened for public use.

Since then, the council and the owner have decided they do not have the funds or resources to keep going.

But the fight is on to save Cervia.

Director of National Historic Ships UK Hannah Cunliffe said: "By publicising widely, we are keen to find a viable heritage solution for this significant National Historic Fleet vessel which will save her from deconstruction and enable the continued sharing of her story with the public.

"In the current climate, Cervia is not the only craft on the National Registers to be facing an uncertain future, making it more important than ever that we explore all options and do not allow these unique representatives of our maritime past to disappear without every effort being made to save them.

"We will be working with Cervia’s owner over the summer to assess proposals received in terms of their sustainability and will be happy to provide advice to any group or individual interested in offering her a long-term home."

A former volunteer who led the tug's restoration work in 2010, Richard Albanese, spoke on behalf of the owner. He said: "The problem any historic maritime project has it is lacks funding when it comes to the critical stage.

"We have managed to keep it up but it has been very difficult to raise the funds. It is so specialist and comes with risks. Even moving the boat is an expensive exercise."

In the past they have made applications to get funding and used their own money to keep Cervia afloat but the work still needed is going to be too much. They are hoping someone will be able to take on the vessel and restore it.

Richard added: "It does not matter who takes the boat on as long as it is protected for future generations. Time is running out.

"If it does not come out of the water soon we will not have a ship to save. No one wants to see it destroyed but it could be. It needs to be saved."

Since the announcement, a Facebook group called Friends of the steam tug Cervia has been set up and people have been calling for the vessel to be saved.

Former Gravesend resident Dave Walton said: "There are still people around that remember her and went to work on her. The maritime history of Gravesend is very important.

"Once we have lost heritage we have lost it. A lot of maritime heritage has been lost and we do not want another one. If you destroy a historic ship that is an act of vandalism as far as I am concerned."

The 68-year-old, who now lives in Wales, is spearheading a campaign to protect the vessel but understands it will not be easy and is going to be expensive.

He added: "All we can do is make people aware it is a problem but it will take a lot of work and money. This is a local issue but it is also a national one. Once she is gone, she is gone and we cannot bring her back.

"I am a big believer that we cannot let this go and I would not forgive myself if I did not do something."

Cervia is the only deep sea steam tug built for international operation left in the country and was originally built for the Ministry of War Transport in the Second World War.

She has been stationed in Iceland, worked out of Gravesend, and docks in London, Thames Estuary and the South East coast, including Ramsgate.