The Nelson owner of one of Wellington's most recognisable waterfront features is having a rethink after the city’s council asked him to move on his WWII-era ship.
Selwyn Findley's 'Sealion' has been stationed at Queen's Wharf for the past 18 years but is now being told to move on.
The boat is taking on water. While four pumps are being used to ensure it doesn't sink, the boat is classified as "nonseaworthy".
That's why the city council - which is taking over the mooring contracts on the wharf - has decided not to offer one to The Sealion.
The ship has had many lives since it was built in Adelaide in 1945. It was meant to be a World War II supply ship but the war ended before it was finished.
It went on to be a minesweeper, squid fishing ship and a houseboat.
Now, the vessel has become a rental property, and a selfdescribed community and arts space.
"We've had a number of one-off gigs out here, where we've just had a band set up here and the audience on the wharf, with 50, 80, 100 people coming down and engaging with their music which is great," said one of the boat's occupants, Simon Van Der Zeyden.
But now Wellington's Centreport is planning on tugging the boat to Glasgow Wharf.
Van Der Zeyden and cohousemate, Dylan Pyle, have started a petition, which so far has over 850 signatures.
Meanwhile, the owner Selwyn Findley - who lives in Nelson - said he was loving the boat's current use.
Findley has only owned the boat since the new year, after it was sold by a fellow Nelson man. While his long-term plan was to do it up, then take it across the Cook Strait to enjoy in the Marlborough Sounds, he was in no rush.
"When they first sent the letter to me, I was sort of, I guess, stunned a bit for a couple of days.
"I just thought it was a shame. There's always going to be something that comes along, but it's just disrupted things, and put pressure. Financially it'll be hard.
"It's just involved a whole rethink."
Council spokesperson, Richard MacLean, said the boat isn't fit to stay put.
"I'm no nautical expert but the thing is, Queen's Wharf is not there to be a permanent home for a vessel that clearly can't get around the harbour."
–RNZ
