MOONBEAM YACHT IN CHENNAI

Aiming to boost sea tourism along the coast of Chennai, Leisure Yacht Company, the marine division of city-based Chona Property Management, has launched its first luxury Yacht -- 'Moonbeam'. The Yacht, designed by an Italian designer, is custom built in Dubai and offers an air-conditioned living room, a bed room, kitchen and a bathroom, Chona Property Management Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Indrajit Kalidasan said. "Yacht charters is big business almost all over the world. Even in Mumbai and Kochi it has been popular. Now we have bought it in Chennai. Tourism potential is still untapped here," Kalidasan told reporters here. Detailing about the yacht, he said a group of 15 people can hire the yacht on hourly basis. "Hardly it will come around Rs 1,750 per person (in a 15 member group). They can go up to 12 nautical miles into the sea (within the international borders). Even if they prefer to visit Puducherry and back, they can use the yacht....," he said. "Since it is customised, we would have spent about a Rs 1 crore on it, whereas for a branded one, it will cost about twice of it," he said. He said the company has received the approvals from Chennai Port Trust, Coast Police, Navy for operating the yacht on Bay of Bengal.
Besides offering it in individual basis, the company has tied up resorts including GRT, Fishermen Cove among others, he said.
For a group of 15 people the basic tariff is Rs 28,000 for three hours, Rs 36,500 for 4.5 hours and Rs 45,000 for six hour tripe. Average rate per person will work out to Rs 1,750 for a three hour trip, he said.