Her canvas work was a way for the designer to find a niche for herself in the marine business.

Honeywell Inc. today provided new details about the planned spinoff of its military and marine business.

Plymouth has the largest cluster of marine and maritime businesses in the south west with 270 firms operating within the sector.

The immediate aim is to develop further the marine business, in which Courtaulds is market leader, serving the vast number of sea and river craft.

He then went into marine related business in Port Harcourt.

Tourism, real estate, agriculture and marine related businesses lead the local economy.

The port is planning a $150 million redevelopment of Pier 66 into private marine businesses and public access areas.

"I had been in the window-decorating business, and I wanted to go into the marine business," he said.

"The marine business is the big growth area for the company."

The scheme provides support to marine businesses to help them grow and develop.