Boatmen will about now start sprucing up their vessels, doing anti-fouling work, painting, replacing damaged parts and in general preparing their craft for the summer season of boating, yachting or fishing.

And to help them in their painstaking work the Malta Trade Fairs Corporation as from yesterday opened the Boats and Fishing Fair, where craft owners can find anything they might need to make their vessel shipshape, and make that elusive big catch under one roof.

In all, 39 exhibitors will be taking part, displaying the latest design of boats, boat equipment, insurance and banking services, marine engines, canoes, fishing equipment, marine clothing, parts, paints and maintenance services, among others.

Opening times are: today, 6pm to 9pm; tomorrow, 6pm to 10pm; Saturday 5pm to 10pm and Sunday 10am to 12.30pm, and 3pm to 9pm.

There will be other specialised fairs or other activities at the Trade Fair Grounds in Naxxar throughout the year. The first is the Motor Fair in March/April, the Green Week between 19-23 April, the Food and Drink Fair between 10-14 May, and the Property and Home Improvements Fair on 24-28 May. The International Fair of Malta will be held between 5-16 July.

The Trade Fair Grounds will also serve other fairs and events organisers for their own events. These include the Vocational Training Exhibition, the Amitex Fair and XLR 8. Other specialised fairs and activities will be held in the rest of the year.