The Kochi international marina is geared up to host more sailors during the forthcoming tourist season beginning September, thanks to a dip in piracy off the Somali coast.
From 155 yachts during the tourist season in April 2011, the inflow of yachts dipped to a dozen in 2012 and 2013, said Cdr. Jose Verghese, vice president (Operations) of Ocean Blue Boating, the firm that manages the marina located next to Kerala Tourism Development Corporation’s (KTDC) Bolgatty Palace Hotel.
Even before the marina was commissioned in 2010, over two dozen yachts regularly berthed off the heritage hotel. The number went down after pirates kidnapped and murdered an American couple sailing the waters.
On Monday, just three yachts with foreign flags were seen at the marina, which can accommodate up to 34 such vessels. “Two more yachts are expected to sail in within a week, before the sea gets rough. By the end of the year, we hope to get more vessels because of a noticeable dip in piracy,” said Cdr Verghese. Most often, it is up to the sailors to verify the safety of their routes as the multinational maritime force that patrols pirate-infested waters is reportedly more keen to escort huge ships, rather than a fleet of yachts.
To add to this, the second phase of expansion of the marina has been postponed due to inadequate patronage for the existing one. “We need berthing space for bigger yachts, those that are 100-feet long, so that wealthy seafarers come calling at the marina,” Cdr. Verghese said. “For this, tourism stakeholders and civic agencies could coordinate dredging of the premises, since the local economy stands to benefit.”
Unlike regular yachters, high-end guests prefer accommodation in luxury hotels. Boat yards will also gain if more yachters visit Kochi, since this would generate more employment.
