'Titanic' makes surprise visit to Abu Dhabi Boat Show

What the replica of the ill-fated liner was doing there is a mystery

A replica of the Titanic attracts attention at the Abu Dhabi Boat Show. Victor Besa / The National 

The Abu Dhabi Boat Show had a surprise visitor when the "Titanic" sailed into Adnec marina on Thursday with

Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On blaring from the speakers.

It quickly became one of the star attractions of the Boat Show at the weekend, with dozens of people queuing up to snap selfies with the vessel.

It comes as Blue Star Line have announced that a replica of the ship will set sail on its two-week maiden voyage from Dubai in 2022. After that, it will run will weekly voyages from the UK to New York.

The mini replica has previously been seen berthed at a private marina in Bateen and was also spotted passing along near the Corniche during last year’s National Day celebrations.

The original Titanic hit an iceberg on April 15, 1912, during her first voyage from Southampton to New York. The liner split in two and bacteria is rapidly consuming the wreck.

Experts predict it will only last for another 20 years.

Thousands of people were thought to have visited the boat show since between Wednesday and Sunday. Official figures have not yet been released, but at least 20,000 were expected to visit.

It is the first time that Abu Dhabi has hosted a major boat show and visitors were treated to powerboat displays, marine drones and freestyle jet-skiing.

The largest yacht on display was from UAE-based Gulf Craft. Its Majesty 135 has five cabins and even a baby grand piano.

Gulf Craft also introduced a new sports cruiser, the Oryx 37, at the show.

Humaid Al Dhaheri, chief executive at Adnec, said the exhibition was a response to demand in the emirate.
"We felt that the time was right to showcase Abu Dhabi's growing leisure marine potential to the global market," Mr Al Dhaheri said.

It is not known who owns the mini replica of the infamous ship or why it was there

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