Customs officer's eyes pop at billionaire's boat

Russian oil billionaire Roman Abramovich's 108m vessel carries a crew of 35 ... and a parrot. Picture / Kenny Rodger

It's a very good time to be a Customs officer or marine policeman when the world's fifth-largest yacht makes its first visit to NZ waters.

On Thursday night, as Le Grand Bleu sat at sea off Auckland, some of those who had business on board got a tour of what is believed to be the biggest private vessel to visit this country.

There's a 2m x 2m glass bottom in the bowels of the yacht, surrounded by lounge chairs, an awed customs officer told the Herald.

There's a cool-off pool the size of a large spa that abuts an aquarium.

"It's fantastic - more spacious than a passenger liner," he said yesterday afternoon as the blue-and-white steel vessel, which is too large for the Viaduct Harbour, docked at Princes Wharf.

The boat belongs to Russian oil billionaire and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, 39, who has an estimated $13.3 billion fortune. He is not on board nor due to visit.

The galley, added the customs officer, stretches the width of the boat, whose interior features creamy carpets and polished wood.

There's a 22m sailboat sitting in its cradle on deck alongside a speedboat, and a 12m cruiser.

And there's a famous parrot. The grey and red bird lives just off the crew mess in a cage with an electric cover.

It apparently whistles the French national anthem, but settled for squawking at the customs officers.

Authorities warned last month that Le Grand Bleu might be barred from New Zealand because no import health standard existed for parrots, and this one could carry avian diseases.

In the end, a New Zealand vet went to Tonga, the boat's last stop, to test the African grey.

The bird was clear, but is here under strict conditions, says Biosecurity New Zealand spokesperson Phil Barclay.

The parrot must remain in its cage and indoors on the vessel while it is in New Zealand. A quarantine officer will visit weekly.

It appears the bird has never lived anywhere else.

"It's a friendly parrot," according to David Hunt, the boat's Tongan agent.

He told Matanga Tonga Online that the bird "speaks Aussie and can say g'day mate! It came on board as an egg, has had its wings clipped and has a microchip."

But the parrot hasn't been the only concern. The Herald understands Auckland marine police on Thursday night removed ammunition, which has been put in storage until the yacht leaves in a fortnight.

The (very) big blue

Le Grand Bleu ("Big Blue")
Built: 2000, Germany
Length: 108m
Added extras: 22m sailboat, speedboat, helicopter, eight jet skis
Crew: 35, including one New Zealander
Captain: Yannek Olsen, Denmark
Value: $145m