Mumbai, March 5. (PTI): Peninsula India's vast coastal shoreline may over the next four to eight years find itself tethered to new sails of high-end boating, with a private initiative supported by the Government and marine institutions giving a thrust to this sector.

The recent Mumbai International Boat Show (MIBS) will perhaps do more for the sea than Bangalore's Aero India airshow did for the skies, as it is cheaper to sail than to fly short distances.

MIBS has the advantage of an open economy, high disposal incomes and a 19.3 per cent growth in High Networth Individuals (HNI).

When the aero show took off in Bangalore, it was a few planes, a few harried individuals who struggled with media cynicism, Government apathy, and an ambiguity about its status.

MIBS has gone ahead and found a berth, and is now seeking more permanent moorings.

The British Marine Federation, which is actively supporting MIBS, is hopeful of the opening up of coastlines.

"When boats and water come together the transportation is different," said BMF director Toby Allies.

"When the Dubai boatshow took off in early 2000, it was only about seven to eight boats, and 10 to 20 exhibits, which grew to 10 to 15 boats and 20 to 80 exhibits the next year. However, when Dubai found a permanent marina, the show grew to about 300 overnight."

Allies is optimistic about the opening up of the coastlines. "All the high-end boating companies -- Sunseeker, Princess -- are here and willing, it is necessary that they be allowed to perform at sea."

BMF and MIBS's initial disappointment at not being able to berth permanently at the historic Gateway of India has been overcome with more awareness of the lack of safety at the site, he said.

"Eventually it does not matter whether we have a marina or not, people will most likely buy boats here and take them elsewhere," he said.

Leonardo Ferragamo, chief of a Finnish boat company who flew in here briefly, was "pleasantly surprised" by the "enthusiasm of India's boating community".

Briton Robin Walters, who has been constructing marinas in Dubai and elsewhere, said "The Konkan Coast - including Goa, Sindhudurg and Kerala -- have excellent potential for world-class sailing harbours".

Travel writer Mike Durret is also confident of the growth of the boating industry, endorsing Allies' views after covering the Dubai and Australian boatshows.

Backing MIBS, the Jawarhalal Nehru Port Trust allowed a temporary marina this year at the Gateway for MIBS with director Rani Jhadav expressing happiness at the body's concerns over safety.

As concerns grew about "where to moor" over the first three days of the show, the navy came to the rescue and Vice Admiral Sangram Singh Byce offered the recently renovated Naval Sailing Club as a temporary marina in future.

However, he asked private institutions to search elsewhere along India's vast coastline for a permanent marina, and offered the help of naval institutions and the Coast Guard for private initiatives to promote sailing and ensuring safety.

MIBS director Malav Shroff also said "transporation by bigger boats has almost taken off". He said, "Business worth Rs 30 crore to Rs 80 crore will spin from the just concluded show and the growth of projects will double next year".

"Many industrial houses have got involved," he said without divulging names. "Even without a marina, the boats have sold."

MIBS, deemed a "calendar event" by the Maharashtra Government, will be able to put on show many more boats", Shroff said.

According to sources at Aquasail, a year-old private company, it can cost as little as Rs 1,000 and take only 15 minutes to go by boat Mandva, a port town near Mumbai, and the journey by the usual ferry now takes an hour. "The Beneteau WA650 on display at the show can do just that," a source said.

"The Mcgregor2600 can take upto 10 people to Goa in 12 hours, using either sail or motor-engine," the source said. "It's more for the leisure as you can picnic and move at your own pace."

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