Falmouth-Camborne MP Julia Goldsworthy has shown her support for Cornwall’s growing marine industry with a five-hour fact-finding tour of companies and facilities in her constituency.

Julia meets Mike Carr, MD Pendennis Shipyard

“Cornwall's marine sector has the benefit of fantastic natural resources and impressive manufacturing skills and combines them to very successful effect,” she said.

“But there is always more that can be achieved, and I have been very impressed by the work that the Cornwall Marine Network does to ensure that companies small and large are able to combine forces and support one another, and to ensure that their needs are recognised.

“It is through such an approach that problems facing the industry, such as shortages in skills, can be best understood and addressed.”

Ms Goldsworthy, the Liberal Democrats’ Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, was hosted by the British Marine Federation in partnership with Cornwall Marine Network and Marine South West.

She visited four companies - Pendennis Shipyard at Falmouth Docks, Mylor Yacht Harbour and Rustler Yachts and Cockwells Modern and Classic Boat Building, both of Falmouth - and was then briefed at the Marine Skills Centre in Falmouth Docks.

CMN marketing manager Tim Bowerbank commented: “It’s vital that the Government Office understands the importance of the marine sector through its contribution to Cornwall’s economy and employment, and that the industry’s needs are championed outside the region to other Government ministers.

With Adrian Jones, Rustler Yachts 

“The issues raised during Julia’s visit included the industry’s skills shortage and the need to continue developing the wide range of new training initiatives now emerging.

“Julia was also told how smaller firms in particular are continuing to encounter difficulties of bureaucracy over planning issues. 

“There are problems concerning the protection of access to water, which can be very prohibitive for small businesses, and there is also the issue of location banking by big corporations in the area.”

Howard Pridding, executive director of the British Marine Federation, commented: “It’s fantastic to see such a high profile parliamentarian visiting these facilities in Cornwall. The sector provides local people with a significant number of highly skilled jobs – a picture repeated around the UK.”

As well as a learning experience for herself, Ms Goldsworthy’s visit was designed to assist the British Marine Federation in its ongoing task of creating better links between marine businesses and government ministers.

Ms Goldworthy commented: “It was fascinating and eye-opening to see how the marine sector interacts with so many other parts of the local economy, as well as the impressive presence many companies have on a global stage.”

At the Marine Skills Centre, Ms Goldworthy also enjoyed a presentation by Jeff Sacree, managing director of Gecko Head Gear of Bude.