Russian sailor Andrey Mantula plans to build what he is calling Cambodia’s first marina off the beaches of Preah Sihanouk province.

Mantula, who has lived in Cambodia for one year, is heading up the project. He expects construction to start on October 1 of this year. The marina, a dock for private boats and yachts, will have space for 20 berths.

He wrote via email yesterday that beaches in Sihanoukville have few services for tourists, and that the marina, called Oceania, will boost tourism.

“I would like to attract tourists, yachtsmen sailing in Sihanoukville. Yachts requires special piers [for being] reliable and safe,” he said.

Mantula sees his clientele as sailors who are exploring any number of the dozens of islands in the Gulf of Thailand and have nowhere to park their boats.

He complained that in addition to the lack of services in Sihanoukville, trash tends to wash up on the beach shores, spoiling area’s pristine view.

“This is a big problem – the ecology of the sea. And it’s not good for tourism,” he said, adding that as part of his project.

He said he’ll charge about $2 per meter for each boat. The fee goes down to $1 per meter for owners staying from six to 12 months.

Seng Kha, a director of Preah Sihanouk Province’s Tourism Department, said that in general, Preah Sihanouk Province’s Ocheateal beach and other beaches consists of small boat services for rent.

“Whatever investment related to tourism is good for tourists because they will have more choices,” he said.