India warming up to yachting with new marinas

12:49 AM Wed 11 Mar 2009 GMT

'Kochi Harbour at sunset' .

It won't be long - end of 2009, in fact - before India is able to show it could live up to the hype around its potential as a marine nation, with plans underway for marina developments in key boating locations.

The first is a yacht marina under the direction of the Chennai Port Trust (CPT, which hopes to have its mini-marina operating by the end of 2009. The marina, which will serve as the base for yachting, will occupy a 200-m stretch of the Boat Basin area in the west quay.

"Nearly 15,000 sq m will be available once the old warehouse is dismantled. There will be amenities, such as lockers and rest rooms, for yatching enthusiasts," port engineers said.

Last December, port officials visited Kochi (or Cochin), which had for the first time qualified as a port of call in the Volvo Ocean Race, and interacted with agencies which erected the temporary facilities for the race. Since then they have been mulling over the feasibility of such a project in Chennai.

kochi - .. .

Over at Cochin Harbour, the Harbour Marina and Yacht Club is under development in one of the safest natural harbours on India's southwestern coast in Kerala state.

Known as 'the Queen of Arabian Sea', Kochi/Cochin attracts considerable tourist trade, drawn to the scenic backwaters and calm rivers for marine recreation. The range and number of facilities for tourists has been under pressure to expand, but this is the first significant step in its development.

Harbour Marina will offer world-class pleasure boating and cruising facilities and services never before available in Indian Sub-Continent. This fully engineered marina will accommodate over 50 boats including extra wide berths for multi-hulled sailboats.

Kochi Anchorage as it is in 2008 - .. . Click Here to view large photo

Over 10,000 square feet of commercial and retail facilities will include a fuel pier, boat repair, covered berths (Dry and open), essential GRP Production facilities, telecommunications, groceries and restaurants.

The Marina will offer a full range of vacation cruises, adventure cruises, backwater cruises, cocktail sunset cruises, charters for filming marine life, sport fishing charters and scuba classes.