Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan will write to the United States Consul General in Perth, Cynthia Griffin, requesting more visits from US Navy ships following a "mini economic boom" from the USS Ashland.

Mr Brennan told the Bunbury Herald anecdotal evidence had shown the five-day visit of the US Navy war ship was a big success for the city.Some businesses - especially in the central business district - took full advantage of the arrival of hundreds of marines and sailors fresh from about a month at sea.

Mr Brennan heard "second-hand" one retailer made an extra $20,000 in sales.

"According to the reports of others, they were very polite, well-behaved and they did a fantastic job," he said.

This success has prompted Mr Brennan to write to Ms Griffin to commend the behaviour of the sailors and request that another ship be deployed.

Mr Brennan is registering the council's "strong interest" in more ships visiting Bunbury though he accepts he has little influence on the movements of American ships.

However, Mr Brennan's effusive praise of the visit from the USS Ashland has not forced him to reconsider his view on cruise ships.

Bunbury City Council had little ambition to attract visiting cruise liners to the city's shores because, according to Mr Brennan, they brought little economic benefit.

He said there was a difference between a luxury cruise liner guest - who had already paid for on-board entertainment, food and drinks - and a sailor on board a warship.

About 40 sailors also helped Bunbury Wildlife Park install a new fence within the bird aviary last weekend.

The USS Ashland is on duty patrolling and maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.