King Kong boat could become dive attraction

Fresh from scuttling HMNZS Wellington, Marco Zeeman has a plan to sink the ship featured in King Kong, off Mana Island near Wellington.

The scheme would involve the underwriting of up to $400,000 from Porirua City Council.

Mr Zeeman, last month named Wellingtonian of the Year for his work in turning the decommissioned navy frigate Wellington into a dive wreck, wants to do the same with the Kong ship.

The plans were "very premature" at this stage, Mr Zeeman said, but he was positive about continuing the artificial reef concept after the F69 sinking.

"A vessel off Porirua would have large benefits for the community. If there's a possibility to put a shipwreck off Mana Island, why not?"

The F69 Trust chairman helped director Peter Jackson with the nautical logistics of filming the Kong movie.

The ship, originally called Manuia but renamed Venture to keep faith with the original story and screenplay, was bought by ship surveyor Roger Kempthorne after it was no longer needed for filming.

A 26-metre-deep area to the north-east of Mana Island had been identified as an ideal sinking site.

Full details of the proposal -- dubbed Project Venture -- would be discussed at a council meeting on Wednesday night -- just as the movie has its New Zealand premiere.

It is understood there is some nervousness in the council about the project's financial viability and the seaworthiness of the 55m freighter, which would have to be taken out to its final resting place.

Film crew were forced to abandon the ship during filming in March when it sprang a leak and began to take on water off Kapiti Coast. Emergency repairs were carried out and it returned to Wellington. It has been moored at Miramar Wharf since.

Another option is to sink it in a 2000-metre-deep seabed trench off the south coast.

Council chief executive Roger Blakeley was reluctant to talk about the proposal till a report, containing budget implications, was completed.

Mayor Jenny Brash confirmed talks with Mr Zeeman were held and suggested financial backing from an established trust could provide a funding alternative.

- nzpa