Yachting (1)

When, in 1976, I published the first edition of Yachting In Malta to promote what was then known as the Yachting Centre, the local yachting scene was bursting with enthusiasm and the dreams and aspirations of all concerned were phenomenal. Malta was then destined to become the in-place of yachting in the Mediterranean... a projected extensive development of Manoel Island was then acclaimed to be the pinnacle of such a transformation. Twenty-seven years later, in 2003, the sixth edition of Yachting In Malta found our island still a popular yachting destination yet, realistically speaking, does it in fact reflect the qualities and realities of the in-place many once dreamt it would be?

The Mediterranean Sea - bordered by three continents and 21 countries - is definitely one of the world's most fascinating yachting playgrounds. Twenty-one neighbouring destinations float in 969,000 square miles of water all endowed with their particular enchanting characteristics waiting to be exploited. Lands share the same sea, yet are committed to promoting their individual distinctive attractions and facilities.

What is happening in the yachting world around us and how are we fitting into this scenario? I thought of sharing my thoughts with some well-informed personalities, who also have yachting as their profession.

This is what Roland Darmanin Kissaun, chairman of S. & D. Yachts Limited, had to say:

"I have been involved with the yachting industry since the early 1960s and have seen this grow from the two yachts first berthed on anchor at Ta' Xbiex Creek to the construction of the quays at Ta' Xbiex and Manoel Island and, later, the pontoon marinas at Torpedo Depot, Whitehall, Mgarr - Gozo and the two state-of-the art marinas at Portomaso and Vittoriosa. By the early 1970s the two marinas at Ta' Xbiex and Manoel Island where full of yachts, the majority being the superyachts of those days which under normal circumstances were not larger than 30 metres.

"Those yachts had chosen Malta for their annual berthing base mostly due to the availability of all services which were reasonably priced but as Malta was becoming more and more expensive we could see these yachts moving elsewhere. However, because of the ever growing demand for berthing places the ones that left were replaced by new ones. But the whole aspect of yachting after the 1970s started gradually changing with larger yachts being built and the whole yachting industry being affected positively with the gradual introduction of superyachts. Unfortunately the Maltese authorities never realised and in my opinion still do not realise the importance of this industry.

"Malta did not keep pace with the development of this industry. It is regrettable that while countries surrounding us have developed yachting facilities, in most cases many years after us, they have overtaken us and are miles ahead of us in the facilities and services they offer.

"It is high time, in my considered opinion, to put our heads together and work to recover lost ground which, after all, is not only in the interest of people in the trade but certainly to the benefit of the country in general, as I suspect the favourable impact of this industry is still not being given due importance and attention".

The Maltese islands today have five defined yacht marinas, four in Malta and one in Gozo, with a potential of nearly 2,000 berths. Two of these marinas, still in their "construction" phase - the Grand Harbour marina and the Manoel Island marina - will, once fully operational, certainly be major assets to the industry in general.

The 214-berth Grand Harbour Marina set in an unparalleled historical setting will eventually offer 69 special berths to accommodate yachts from 20 to 85 metres in length. Such facilities portray the "Vittoriosa marina" as being one of the largest big boat marinas in the world, certainly a potential superyacht hub.

The 400-berth Manoel Island marina forms part of a €350 million up-market project which its developers, Midi plc, have described as "the largest development that Malta witnessed since the construction of Valletta in the 16th century".

"Malta is strategically located in the heart of the Mediterranean and is ideally situated for yacht owners who wish to cruise across the Mediterranean," says Ben Muscat, Midi's chief executive officer. "In fact, for a typical large yacht, Malta is only about two days sailing time from the principal yachting centres, such as the South of France, the Balearics, Croatia and the Greek islands. The Manoel Island marina is destined to become one of the most prestigious superyacht marinas due to the fact that the marina offers top-end services even today in its early stages to superyachts of all sizes within a historical environment. The Manoel Island marina is also within a short distance from Sliema and St Julians, Malta's most fashionable shopping destination and entertainment areas".

Tomorrow: A crucial requisite.