Revamped yacht taking tourists down under

By WAYNE THOMPSON

A new life as Auckland's first sailing aquarium is planned for a yacht that was part of the nuclear protest flotilla to Mururoa Atoll in 1995.

Glass windows are to be installed in the outside hulls of Triptych, a 21.3m trimaran, so television cameras can show the marine life below to up to 80 passengers.

Owner-skipper Barry Keon said the trimaran would be based in Auckland and sail the clear waters around the Hauraki Gulf islands.

Powerful underwater searchlights would allow viewing on night cruises via a big television screen mounted in a dry, comfortable lounge.

Mr Keon said the windows were specially designed to give clear views without compromising safety and would be enclosed in watertight bulkheads.

Mr Keon said during 15 years as a charter vessel in the Gulf under the billing of the "world's largest charter trimaran", Triptych had carried mainly American visitors.

With Tourism New Zealand spending an extra $17 million to attract US visitors, Triptych would offer them a unique opportunity to see the Gulf's "fabulous sea life".

* Triptych made news during the America's Cup in February when it and the 10m launch Barossa collided in churned-up seas.

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/marine