“I’d like to see a Packet Ship in Falmouth harbour. One that can be sailed around the world to deliver the post, cargo and passengers like the original Packets did.
I also want local children to learn how their forefathers made their living from the sea, so I want to create an ‘outreach’ programme that we can take to schools, with mini projects that the children can get involved in.
She could take part in regattas and maritime events across the world, flying the flag for England and Cornwall.
I can see sail training playing a big part in her schedule, along with charter work and maybe even TV and film roles. Sailing cargo is also a possibility for non-perishable goods.
And to make all this happen I can picture boatbuilding apprenticeships, admin staff, volunteers crewing, marketing activity and school visits. I can see other local businesses benefiting from the project, such as sailmakers, upholsterers, riggers and timber merchants.
The whole project will become a hot-bed of activity.”
Ian Woodford. July 2022.
Founder and Managing Director, Falmouth Packet Ship Community Interest Company.
Why a CIC?
A CIC (Community Interest Company) is bound by law to have been created for the benefit of the community. The way this works is that any profits left at the end of each year are put back into the local community in some way. With this project this might be in the form of free trips onboard for different groups of people (E.g. Scouts) or by making charitable donations to other local charities and groups. So you see, building and operating the Duke of Marlborough really will be a great benefit to the local community.