Council to dispose of America's Cup yacht

From QLDC:

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) to dispose of the former America’s Cup yacht ‘NZL14’ currently moored in Queenstown Bay, Lake Whakatipu.

QLDC Regulatory Manager Anthony Hall said the yacht is classed as abandoned under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 and Council would like it removed from the bay.

“We’re reaching out to those who have the appropriate equipment and resources to remove and dispose of the vessel. There is some funding available to help with the yacht’s removal and it would be up to the person or group successful through the EOI process to decide what to do with her once she’s off the lake,” he said.

Mr Hall said interested parties will initially be provided with details of the requirements to dispose of the vessel, including Council’s expectations of technical experience.

Expressions of interest close on Sunday 27 March and can be made via email to the QLDC Regulatory team at [email protected].

• NZL14 was part of the New Zealand Challenge for the America’s Cup in 1992, skippered by Russell Coutts, then raced in San Francisco and later returned to New Zealand sailing tourists around Lake Whakatipu for several years.
• NZL14 in numbers:
•    Length – 23 metres.
•   Mast – 35 metres.
•   Lead keel weight – 16.5 tonnes.
•   Overall weight – 22 tonnes.
•  Power – Four-cylinder diesel motor.