A HIGHLY successful businessman has given up the car trade to make a second fortune while living a life on the ocean waves.

Keith Smith, the Rowlands Gill man behind the European car import business Eusacar, now aims to cultivate a new generation of luxury yacht owners.

Mr Smith's new company, Eusamarine, will enable both corporate clients and private individuals to be fractional owners of a luxury yacht for an annual fee.

Mr Smith explained his plan to bring luxury yacht ownership to the masses. He said: "Owning a luxury yacht or a super yacht might seem to be beyond everyone aside from the super-rich, but the Eusamarine concept will bring it into range for a huge proportion of the general population. Access to this lifestyle can be available for as little as £20,000, which equates to £2,000 each year."

Backed by industry-leading Italian yacht designers Azimut-Benetti, and Cavendish White, one of the UK's biggest yacht brokerages, Eusamarine is the first venture of its kind.

All the yachts will initially be based in the Mediterranean, but Mr Smith hopes to expand to the Caribbean.

Eusacar, established in 1998, was one of the pioneers of car imports and has an annual turnover of £12m.

Anyone interested in Eusamarine can view sample yachts by contacting Mr Smith on 0191-206 4100 or visiting www.eusamarine.com