As plymouth embraces the inspiring spirit of the Artemis Transat event, exciting crowds of visitors on the Barbican, it is wonderful that a project to build a replica of the Mayflower could be refloated.
The buzz which the Transat event has created here, with the race village at Sutton Harbour and the preparations for the race launch on Sunday, underlines our city's deep affection for all things maritime. This fantastic event, which has given Plymouth worldwide publicity and raised its profile immeasurably, is the kind of high-calibre opportunity which marketing people dream of.
It has created a feelgood factor, pulled in huge crowds of locals and visitors of all ages, attracted legends from the yachting world and will focus global media attention on the city for the start on Sunday of the race. But the potential for having a full-size replica of one of the most famous ships in history, anchored in Sutton Harbour in time for the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers' voyage to America, would put even this in the shade.
Which is why we hope Plymouth sailor Conrad Humphreys and city entrepreneur Chris Parsonage can sit down to talk about how this dream could come true. The Mayflower may hold a special place in Plymouth's history; but for Americans it is a totem, as much a part of their national identity as the Declaration of Independence and Thanksgiving Day.
To have a visitor attraction of the ship moored near the Mayflower Steps in time for the 400th anniversary of the voyage which led to the founding of the most powerful nation on earth would be a massive boost to our city's reputation and send Plymouth's name soaring into the publicity stratosphere.
The excitement which visiting tall ship The Earl of Pembroke has created in its few days here shows the tourist-pulling potential of a ship here permanently as a visitor attraction. The continuing campaign to have HMS Plymouth moored here underlines the appetite for such a move. The Mayflower would be the perfect attraction for Plymouth, and we wish this project every success.