Sleek and huge, even though exhibited on the ground, they look both awesome and formidable ready to take on the sea and most kinds of weather.

There are, Joseph J Mifsud from the Trade Fair Corporation said, no less than 13,000 boats or yachts registered and licensed in Malta, apart from those which come from abroad. No doubt, most of the 10,000 who annually visit this fair go to gawp and gaze, but some do go to buy, considering that the pastime of many Maltese is linked to the sea.

The exhibitors present for the opening spoke mainly of the need for better law enforcement on the sea lanes, especially with regard to illegal fishing practices which are still common inside most harbours. Surely, however, enforcement is also required regarding the speed at which the yachts are driven and other dangers to the safety of the people on board and of others.

Opening the fair, Transport Minister Censu Galea spoke of the need for better training. Until some years ago, anyone could go to the fair, buy a boat, get it delivered and become a master mariner. Today, many have been persuaded to attend the MCAST lectures and obtain the licence so that they can safeguard their own safety.

There are still those, the Minister complained, who prefer to disregard any rules and training, as well as the use of radios and position markers and, as a result, days are sometimes spent searching for someone who is careless about his own safety.

As Minister for Competitivity, Mr Galea also spoke of his recent inauguration of EU-standard boat building, which, he said, is a useful way of finding new areas for exports.

Other issues discussed by the exhibitors regarded the availability of berths both on sea and on land. The minister said that the MMA had identified an area in St Paul’s Bay for another marina after the Cottonera one is filled, but residents there had disagreed.

As for land sites for yachts in winter, the minister said that the MMA is still looking for suitable areas. There are some private facilities but there is also pressure for more land to be devoted to yachts, since many yacht-servicing enterprises are relocating to Sicily and Tunisia for lack of facilities here.

One exhibitor strongly suggested using part of the area being released by the Marsa Shipbuilding.

Mr Galea said the development of this area of the inner Grand Harbour must be looked at holistically.