Giant cruise ships dominate tiny Cornish town – and this is what locals have to say about it

On Saturday an enormous 58,000 tonne cruise ship sailed into the small Cornish port town of Fowey

The Nicko Cruises ship, which dwarfed the tiny yachts moored in the same harbour, brought with it 1,258 mostly German passengers, more than half the town’s population of 2,315.

It’s one of around 15 cruise ships a year that visit Fowey, pronounced Foy as in Joy, and according to reports last year locals weren’t happy about it.

There were apparently complaints about the boats being an ‘eyesore’ and bad for the environment, but a number of people have since posted on social media to say those living and working in the town actually love the ships and that they don’t pollute the harbour.

The Metro spoke to a number of residents and business owners this week, and it does appear the ships are very much welcomed.

Retired business owner Gary Barr, who move to the town six years ago with his wife Kay, is a big fan.

He said: ‘We think the ships are brill. They bring a bit of theatre to the town and some of them are really beautiful.

The 60-year-old said the boats are also a great source of income for local businesses.

‘At a time when so many businesses on the high street are closing, this helps keeps our shops, bars and restaurants open, which for locals is only a good thing,’ he told us.

Gary, a passionate sailor, hasn’t heard anyone from the area speak negatively about the ships.

‘The only negative stuff I’ve heard is from people who don’t live here. Basically keyboard warriors,’ he added.

‘I don’t think they realise the harbour has a long history of welcoming cargo ships. This is just a different type of cargo.’

Caroline Cooper, who has lived in the town for three years and opened clothing and homeware store ‘Shop @ Number 3’ two months ago, also speaks fondly of the ships.

‘I think we’re very lucky we can accommodate something so special,’ she said.

‘We become an advertisement for Cornwall and even the UK and we’re proud of that. And it creates such a buzz in the town.

‘I haven’t heard anyone here say anything bad about it. I spoke to a couple of other shop owners about the ships recently and they were also very positive.

Caroline even shared a video of Saturday’s cruise ship, a Portuguese vessel named Vasco da Gama, on her shop’s Instagram page and wrote: ‘My commute to work this morning. Some places get coaches. We get ships.’

Meanwhile, a Fowey pub and restaurant owner, who preferred not to be named, said she’d never heard of any locals or guests having an issue with the boats.

She added: ‘The guests say how wonderful it is. And we think it’s lovely too. If we hear the hooter we’ll run into dining room to see the ship come in.’

Captain Paul Thomas has been Fowey’s harbour master for the past 12 years and will board the cruise ships and pilot them in and out of the harbour.

‘I basically stand beside the captain and guide them,’ he explained. ‘I know the currents and depths well so can make sure it’s all done safely.’

Paul said last year’s criticisms of the cruise ships came from outsiders not locals.

‘Ships are part of this town’s DNA, there’s been a port here for 150 years and many people have families who have worked with them.

‘So for them cruise ships aren’t a problem. Everyone got really cross when the stories came out saying locals were angry about the ships as that’s not how they feel.

‘Someone actually did a survey on a local Facebook group at the time asking if people were for or against the ships and of those who responded 97% were for.’

He said there is real affection for the boats and people will often line the streets waving at them when they arrive.

‘It’s a bit of an event,’ he explained.

Like Gary, Paul believes the ships – which usually stay one night – are great for local businesses.

‘I was talking to a lady who runs a gallery here and she said she had lots of people from Saturday’s cruise ship spending money,’ he said.

Asked if the ships have a detrimental effect on the environment, Paul replied: ‘The environment is very important to us and we have policies to make sure ships don’t pollute.

‘The cruise ships have systems that prevent emissions from contaminating the water and, contrary to myth, pumping sewage from the boats into the sea is not allowed.’

He said there had never been complaints about the sound of the ship’s whistle.

‘In fact if I’m piloting a ship and don’t blow the whistle locals tell me off! They like hearing it.’

Last week it was announced Fowey Harbour has been shortlisted in the ‘Destination of the Year’ category of the international Seatrade Cruise Awards 2024

‘We’re very honoured! Fowey is up against places like Dubai and Ontario so it’s a big deal for us,’ said Paul.

He hopes the town can increase the number of visiting cruise ships to around 20 a year, but doesn’t want the number to go much higher than that.

‘It’s important to keep a balance. And if we have too many it won’t feel special anymore.’

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