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Amphibious vehicle maker Sealegs has vowed to return to Cook Strait after a broken engine robbed the company of a place in the record books today.
Sealegs chief executive David McKee Wright and shareholder Brendon Hodge set off from Arapawa Island in Marlborough Sounds at 7.30am today hoping to be the first to cross the strait in an amphibious vehicle.
But an hour later, about 500m from Wellington's Owhiro Bay and within view of the mostly-media welcoming party, the engine died.
"Everything had been going to plan. It was very disappointing and totally unexpected," Mr McKee Wright said.
At first they thought it was out of petrol and their Coastguard escort offered a top up.
After half an hour it was declared a lost cause and out came the tow-rope.
Mr McKee Wright said another run would be made on Tuesday.
"We are not going to let a setback like this beat us," he said.
It will be the fourth scheduled attempt at the crossing after two previous cancellations due to poor weather.
Sealegs amphibious vehicles already hold the record for the fastest crossing of the English Channel and the fastest top speed of more than 100km/h.
- NZPA
