The National Martime Museum Cornwall opened in December 2002 to house the National Small Boat collection. Over 120 vessels are featured in a regularly changing display. Powerful audiovisual experiences and interactives explore navigation, tides, boat construction and stories of boat communities.

‘‘The integration between moving images and objects in the NMMCs Set Sail is arguably the most innovative in the UK” - Jane Morris, Museums Practice Spring 2003

The Boat-building gallery contains four animated interactive programmes, creating virtual environments in which the principles of boat construction can be demonstrated and tested by the visitors. 

Visitors find out about the many ways that people have adapted boats to suit various purposes, how they are used for work, leisure, exploration, communication, hunting, fishing and sport.

Design Week Permanent Exhibition Design award 2004