NZ bid for Blake's boat

A group of New Zealand adventurers want to buy Sir Peter Blake's boat, Seamaster, for their own environmental expeditions.

Christchurch pair Marcus Waters and Graham Charles, and Aucklander Mark Jones are to tender for the 36m yacht, which is at Rhode Island, in the United States.

Sir Peter was shot dead by pirates during a trip with the Seamaster on the Amazon River in Brazil in December 2001.

Mr Waters understood other parties interested in buying the vessel included groups from France, Russia and the US.

While there was a sentimental element in the Seamaster remaining in New Zealand hands, he and his colleagues, who call themselves Adventure Philosophy, will need financial backing. The Seamaster has a reported price tag of $US1.75 million ($3.4 million).

"We're going to put a tender in that vicinity, but we are very much seeking support," Mr Waters said.

The trio sailed with Sir Peter on the Seamaster 2 1/2 years ago.

Sir Peter took them from South America to Antarctica, where he dropped them off for a successful 800km sea kayak traverse of the Antarctic Peninsula.

- NZPA