THE countdown has started for Southampton Boat Show - the largest on-the-water show in Europe.

More than 130,000 visitors are expected to flock to the city's Mayflower Park between September 14 to 23 for the world-renowned extravaganza.

To celebrate one of the city's finest assets, the Daily Echo has launched a nautical-themed photography competition supported by Sea City and Southampton Boat Show.

We are looking for pictures with a marine feel - and the top ones will win a tickets to the show.

Whether it is a photograph of yachts moored along the River Hamble, a rusting anchor on a pebble beach or seagulls following a trawler, we want you to send it to us.

The overall winner will get a family VIP show ticket, and 15 runners-up will receive standard day tickets, courtesy of Southampton Boat Show.

Email your pictures to picdesk@dailyecho.co.uk before September 7 for a chance to win.

Celebrating This year sees the show celebrating its 39th year - and as always a whole host of activities have been organised to keep both yachties and landlubbers entertained.

The star attraction will be Pirates Of The Caribbean movie ship The Edinburgh Trader, better known on screen as HMS Bounty.

The historic vessel - which saw the most infamous mutiny of all time - will be berthed in the Hydropool Marina every day except September 22.

The marina will also feature more than three kilometres of temporary pontoons, displaying the latest models large and small.

Visitors will be able to try their hand at sailing at the Try-a-Boat stand, and those wanting to be under the water can experience the Try-a-Dive stand.

New for this year's show is the latest watersport craze - Hydrazorbing.

Hydrazorbs are like giant waterborne hamster wheels which give thrill-seeking visitors the chance to quite experience the sensation of walking on water.

Also visiting the show will be "green" explorer Mukti Mitchell as part of his Low Carbon Lifestyle tour.

To find out all you need to know about the Southampton Boat Show, visit www.southamptonboatshow.com or call 0870 060 0246.