The receding threat of piracy has reignited interest among seafarers of calling at Kochi International Marina during the oncoming tourist season.
The sole marina in India has capacity to berth 38 yachts.
It got good response from seafarers for two years since its launch in 2010, with many of them berthing their vessels here for up to seven months while they checked out Kerala and rest of India. “Then came a spree of piracy incidents, including in Southeast Asia, which kept yachters away.
The lull in arrivals lasted up to 2014 when there were just eight to ten yachts berthed at the marina at any given time during tourist season,” said Simon Murthaty, Chief Operations Officer of Mumbai-based Ocean Blue Boating that operates the marina, which abuts KTDC’s Bolghatty Palace Hotel.
“We already have enquiries from 25 yachts from around the world and expect to host double the number of yachts that called at here in 2014, he said.
A spree of piracy incidents, including those in Southeast Asia, had kept the yachters away.
