Ex-frigate primed for frontline cup action

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

Former Navy seaman and Pink Floyd "roadie" Allan Stephen wants to make a big splash as master of his own frigate - in the midst of the America's Cup action.

Although the decommissioned warship Waikato will have to be towed from Auckland each morning, Mr Stephen is confident of securing a public anchorage in the middle of the three cup challenge courses.

His company, F55 Waikato Ltd, has chartered the 113m ship until March 20 from a Tutukaka group that is trying to raise $225,000 to sink it off the Whangarei coast as a diving attraction.

Mr Stephen's plan to turn the Waikato into the country's largest floating spectator platform for the cup challengers' semifinals is raising eyebrows in the American Express NZ Cup Village.

The grey hulk now tied up at Princes Wharf is turning distinctly rusty around the port-holes, in contrast to the gleaming white superyachts a stone's throw away.

But while acknowledging yesterday that warships were not meant to be easy on the eye, Mr Stephen said he was proud to be associated with such an integral part of New Zealand's maritime history as the "Mighty Wai."

And despite still sporting its twin 4.5in guns, it would be festooned with flags to emphasise its new role as a party ship, with jazz or blues bands for a daily passenger rate of $299.

Mr Stephen said he was looking forward to going back to sea as master of his own vessel, having served in a clerical post on similar Navy ships in the 1970s.

He faces a challenge meeting the safety standards necessary to take the ship to sea, but has a team of marine fitters busy on the job.

Post-Navy stints setting up stages and equipment for touring rock legends such as Pink Floyd, Genesis, ZZ Top and U2 have put him in good stead for such an ambitious project.

"But it's a long story how you end up with a ship."

Mr Stephen said the Waikato would be equipped with lifejackets for up to 500 passengers, with two tugs on standby to tow it to wherever harbour authorities wanted it moved.

Auckland harbourmaster James McPetrie said he was willing to accommodate the ship near the mid-point anchorage but it still needed Maritime Safety Authority clearance.

Rodney District Mayor Doug Armstrong said it would be disappointing if the ship were to "despoil the ambience of what we are trying to portray for the Hauraki Gulf - but on the other hand, is it hurting anyone?"