IT is hardly surprising that Jersey, as an island community, has a long tradition of seafaring and many sorts of activity connected with the sea.

Shipbuilding was a major industry in the 19th century, Islanders helped to pioneer cod fishing on the other side of the Atlantic, and Jersey ships were once among those that carried letters of marque licensing them to attack and plunder the king’s enemies on the high seas.

Freight and passenger links across the Channel and with France are still vital features of Island life and we have an active fishing fleet, but pleasure boating now accounts for much of the traffic in our waters, and industries associated with this activity are a small but prosperous and indispensable sector of the economy.

This weekend the importance of water-based leisure activities and commerce will be emphasised by the Jersey Boat Show, sponsored by Barclays Wealth and organised by Jersey Marinas. A total of 73 vessels will be on show and they will range from low-budget runabouts to million-pound-plus motor yachts. In all, 100 traders will be exhibiting their goods and services.

Over the weekend up to 30,000 people are expected to visit the show, which is not only an impressive number but also indicative of the level of the Island’s interest in maritime matters.

There will, of course, be many types of attraction as well boats, including food and drink stalls, music and a film shown on a screen erected on the States tug, the Duke of Normandy, but there can be no doubting that the great variety of vessels, including visitors such as HMS Severn, the river class warship, and the French research ship Fleur de Lampaul, will be the stars of the show.
Those going to the show this year will also have the opportunity to try various water-based activities in safe and supervised conditions.

The annual Boat Show is now one of the major events on the Jersey calendar, but it clearly does not organise itself. Marina and Harbour department staff put in a great deal of hard work to make the weekend a success. We must also express our gratitude to Barclays Wealth, without whose backing and financial support the show could not be staged on anything like such a grand scale.