There is a long history of ship building including special types of boats
designed to suit local task and circumstances from the pilot gigs who
carried the pilot out to the incoming ships to guide them into port to the
Falmouth Quay punts that took stores to ships in the Carrick Roads
and now work the oyster beds under sail.

This provides both a delightful scene as well as a practical
conservation measure as it ensures that the Oyster beds of the
Carrick Roads are not over dredged.
The pilot gigs are now used for racing for fun,
in earlier days the first pilot out to the ship got the job
and the crew that rowed him out there got paid.

Speed really was of the essence and fast but seaworthy open boats
evolved to serve the task.

They are capable of long voyages and more recently they have been
rowed across the channel to France. In the past they would have come
home towing some barrels of brandy!

Information and Illustrations can be
provided to show you
the Maritime History of Cornish Ports,
fishermen and sailors