| Last week's much hyped event at Pittsburgh - | | | | high end tug boats and skipper launches making |
| the Pittsburgh Boat Show finally concluded and | | | | them effortlessly available to those concerned. |
| contrary to popular anticipations, it was not as big | | | | There were other local businessmen from in and |
| a hit as expected. Firstly, the show was devoid of | | | | around Pittsburgh who gained a lot of knowledge |
| its promised glamour, adventure and magnificence. | | | | about the most recent in naval gadgetry and |
| The same expo by the same people was more | | | | were happy with their time not being wasted. |
| happening and exciting last year. Even though | | | | Sadly, the expo failed to pull many buyers from |
| they had the latest in what the marine industry | | | | the usually popular areas of the country where |
| had to offer, the boat show failed when it came | | | | boats and boating is a way of life. |
| to attracting vast crowds and doing a profitable | | | | To add to it, the boat show also lacked on the |
| trade. Most say it was because of their poor | | | | fun and adventure quotient as a result of which |
| advertising campaigns and lack of awareness in | | | | youngsters were few. Only limited group activities |
| nautical circles. Even boat clubs were poorly | | | | had been arranged so children were also few. |
| informed. However, even with the decreasing | | | | Stress was laid upon lots of talks and seminars |
| visitors, the overall sales of the exhibits managed | | | | which continued throughout the day. This was well |
| to cross a whopping 40 million dollars over a total | | | | received by the serious boating enthusiasts. One |
| of 5 days. Perhaps the few who came meant | | | | of the most visited and appreciated attraction |
| serious business. | | | | was the "Swinging Ship". It was actually a giant |
| The products on display included the usual modern | | | | movable enclosure in the shape of a cruiser |
| shipping equipment ranging from ships, fancy | | | | containing the expo's hottest deals in boats and |
| boats and ferries, house boats, hovercrafts and | | | | boating equipment. Accessories ranging from life |
| many others. Industrial ones included trawlers, oil | | | | jackets to fishing rods were also displayed. |
| shippers. This was mainly visited by the sheikhs | | | | Kayaks, canoes, rafts and even fancy gondolas |
| from the Middle East and few Russian | | | | were exhibited in the "adventure sport" section. |
| businessmen. Jose de Silva, Texan based oil | | | | There was also a particular raft which was priced |
| businessman was particularly impressed by this | | | | at an unusual 5 million dollars and it certainly was |
| section of the boat show. Even though he | | | | the talk of the show. Even imported products, |
| attended for a day, he said that he learnt so | | | | mainly from the United Kingdom, Russia and China |
| much about oiling vessels which he could not have | | | | were also brought to highlight and compare global |
| in a year. | | | | and American technologies. This was a unique |
| Interestingly there was a luxury and lifestyle | | | | feature which attracted many buyers. |
| section which exclusively housed luxury yachts, | | | | |