Cochin Grows as a Sailing Centre

by Mike Derrett IBI News/Sail-World Cruising on 24 Oct 2006 The success of the recent International Boat Show in Cochin is good news for the development of sailing as a leisure sport in India – AND good news for the long-range cruising sailor. The western coast of India is becoming more yacht friendly with more attention to sailing as a sport, and more marinas opening.

The three-day India International Boat Show ended on Sunday evening with a wave of optimism that the leisure boating market is moving forward in India. Dealers were happy about boat sales and news of new marina projects about to be launched. At least two new marina projects should get the go-ahead in Cochin shortly, including one being promoted by the Kerala Tourism Department to be located at Bolgatty Island in the heart of the waterway network in Cochin Town. There are also projects muted further north in the country in Goa and the commercial capital Mumbai.

Cochin is at the heart of the Kerala Backwaters, an extensive network of inland waterways. According to Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the Kerala State Minister for Tourism: 'The government is to give thrust to backwater tourism to include new waterways and tax concessions to promote houseboats. The government firmly believes that private entrepreneurs are required for this.'

According to most exhibitors, business was much increased on previous years.
G Kurikesu, general manager of Yamaha outboard motors importer George Maijo Industries, said: 'We are bringing out new models with four-stroke engines to cater for the leisure boating industry. Previously we have concentrated on the fishing boat sector, but now we think demand will increase enormously in the leisure boat and marine tourism sector.' Yamaha was prominent with two boats on show as well as engines.

The first Annual General Meeting of the India Marine Federation was also held during the boat show. At an open session of the meeting, Executive Committee member Shakheel Kudrolli outlined the objectives of the federation, which include primarily tackling out-of-date commercial ship regulations that apply to leisure boats. The federation has close co-operation with the British Marine Federation, which is helping to formulate strategies to approach the government bodies, and also provide guidance on issues such as the environment and build and safety standards for boats.

The India International Boat Show is an annual event and the dates for next year will be announced shortly.