August 19th 2024.
The small port town of Fowey, located in Cornwall, welcomed an impressive sight on Saturday as a cruise ship, the Vasco de Gama, sailed into its harbour. With a weight of 58,000 tonnes, the enormous ship stood in stark contrast to the tiny yachts that were docked in the same harbour. But what truly made this arrival special was the fact that it brought with it 1,258 passengers, most of whom were from Germany. This number was more than half of the town's population, which currently stands at 2,315.
This was not the first time Fowey has played host to a cruise ship, as it typically receives around 15 of them each year. However, last year, there were reports of local residents being unhappy about their presence. Complaints ranged from the ships being an eyesore to concerns about their impact on the environment. However, recent posts on social media from those living and working in the town have shown a different perspective, with many expressing their love for the ships and denying any negative effects on the harbour's cleanliness.
In fact, when our team at Metro spoke to residents and business owners in Fowey this week, it was clear that the cruise ships were actually welcomed with open arms. One such resident, Gary Barr, who moved to the town with his wife six years ago, is a big fan of the ships and the excitement they bring. He shared, "We think the ships are brill. They bring a bit of theatre to the town and some of them are really beautiful." Gary also emphasized the positive economic impact the ships have on local businesses, especially in a time when many are struggling to stay afloat.
Caroline Cooper, a resident of Fowey for three years and owner of a clothing and homeware store in the town, echoed Gary's sentiments. She believes that having cruise ships dock in Fowey is a privilege and a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of Cornwall and the UK. She shared, "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." Caroline also mentioned that she had not heard any complaints from locals about the ships and even posted a video of Saturday's arrival on her shop's Instagram page.
Similarly, a pub and restaurant owner in Fowey, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that they had never received any complaints from guests or locals about the cruise ships. In fact, they expressed how much they enjoyed seeing them arrive in the harbour, with many even running to the dining room to catch a glimpse of the ships.
As for the safety and environmental concerns, Captain Paul Thomas, the harbour master for the past 12 years, assured us that these are taken seriously. He explained his role in guiding the ships into the harbour safely and mentioned that the ships have systems in place to prevent emissions and sewage from polluting the water. He also debunked the myth that the sound of the ship's whistle is a nuisance, sharing that many locals actually enjoy it and consider it a part of the town's history.
It is clear that the people of Fowey have a great affection for the cruise ships and the positive impact they have on the town. And with the recent news of Fowey Harbour being shortlisted for an international cruise award, it seems that this love and appreciation for the ships will only continue to grow. While there are hopes to increase the number of cruise ships visiting to around 20 a year, there is also a consensus among locals to maintain a balance and not let the town become overwhelmed with too many ships. As Captain Paul Thomas wisely puts it, "It's important to keep a balance. And if we have too many it won't feel special anymore."
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