Bermuda could become a world centre for boat servicing on the back of the America’s Cup if the industry gears up to impress the billionaire yacht owners expected to flock to the Island.

The editor of the Cup Experience website, Jack Griffin, explained how the marine industry in Auckland was boosted after it hosted the America’s Cup.

It is set to be one of many benefits to the average Bermudian as a result of hosting the world-class sailing event.

Mr Griffin, who will be making a presentation at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute about America’s Cup racing and rivalry, told The Royal Gazette: “New Zealand got a huge boost to their maritime business.

“Boat builders, boat refitting, large sailing and motor yachts, zodiac-style RIBs, all of the makers of those things, a lot of them come from New Zealand.

“This is an opportunity for Bermuda and if it isn’t then someone is asleep at the switch.

“In 2017, you are going to have superyachts in Bermuda and their owners spending their money. Among those superyachts will be the J Class, the class that sailed in the America’s Cup in the 1930s and which many believe to be the most beautiful boats to have sailed in the race.

“When you see them on the sound they are stunning and the people who own them are billionaires.

“They will see Bermuda and say, ‘We never used to come to Bermuda, this is a nice place. When we move our yacht from the Med to the Caribbean in the winter, why don’t we stop off in Bermuda? And, by the way, the Bermudians have done a great job in terms of upping their yacht servicing so we can get repairs done there.’

“But it needs to be more than just having the capacity to do so, it also needs to be the marketing. Somebody needs to be going to the superyacht regattas that exists now and waving the Bermudian flag — either ACBDA or the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

“You need some investment in communications and marketing to these superyacht owners to say we welcome you and are ready to take good care of you.”

Mr Griffin said that all Bermudian businesses could “ride on the slipstream” of the America’s Cup legacy to promote their goods and services in the run up to 2017.

“ACBDA and BTA have talked about direct and indirect marketing activities,” he said. “Direct activities are for official AC sponsors like Goslings or BF&M. Indirect activities are for companies that have no official connection to ACEA or ACBDA.

“Bermudians should take a deep sense of pride in hosting this global event that is going to get all sorts of broadcast TV coverage.”

Other benefits he mentioned included the youth sailing programme called Endeavour which, it is hoped, will encourage a new generation to become professional sailors.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to get more Bermudians involved in sailing, which is a great lifetime sport that can be done inter-generationally,” Mr Griffin said.

“The Endeavour programme teaches children to sail and will have a science, technology, engineering, arts and maths educational component. It is a wonderful sport for a family to do together.

“The curricular elements being developed so that every Bermudian schoolchild will be exposed to that.”

Mr Griffin said that former America’s Cup host cities had attracted world-class conferences, bringing thousands of visitors with them.

As for the event itself, Mr Griffin said there would be plenty for people to do during the upcoming America’s Cup Louis Vuitton World Class Series this month.

“During the event there will Bermudian businesses selling their wares there,” he said. “There will be organisations, sports clubs — not just sailing but any clubs and organisations.

“There will be a big show around the sailing, there are commentators introducing the sailors and giant screens so you can watch the race from Front Street.

“There will be a stage for essentially a public press conference where they will have sailors coming out on stage answering questions from commentators Tucker Thompson and Ken Read.

“People will also want to go to the technical area and see the boats being put in the water — that is a show in itself.”

• Mr Griffin will speak at BUEI on Monday from 7.30pm. Tickets are available from their gift shop or call 294-0204.