Rumours link US senator to luxury yacht built in Northland
Imran Ali | 31st December 2009
Email Story Print larger | smaller The rumour mill has been buzzing at the Town Basin in Whangarei after reported sightings of former US presidential candidate John Kerry on board a multimillion-dollar yacht built in the city.
Skull And Bonesman, John Kerry Seen In Whangarei, New Zealand
January 2, 2010 · 2 Comments
John Kerry
On December the 31st the Northern Advocate reported that US politician, and Skull and Bonesman, John Kerry, had been seen in casual attire in Whangarei on Tuesday at the town basin, inspecting a multi-million dollar boat, built in Whangarei.
The 22.8-metre yacht, which bears the name ‘Isabel’, (of ‘Newport,’) was built by Friendship Yachts on Port Rd and will be ready to leave the country at the end of January, according to the Northern Advocate, which reported that “details about its cost and owners are under wraps.”
There was a greying, forty-something man on board the ‘Isabel’ today and when asked if it was John Kerry’s boat he denied it - in an American accent, of course.
A number of people have said they spotted Senator Kerry, a Democrat who was defeated in the 2004 presidential election by George W Bush, inspecting the 22.8-metre yacht on Tuesday.
It was built by Friendship Yachts on Port Rd but details about its cost and owners are under wraps.
General manager Dennis Maconaghie said the terms and conditions of the contract his company entered into with the yacht owners prohibited the release of sensitive information, except to say that it belonged to a North American client.
He said it took two years for the yacht to be built and once some minor work had been completed, it would be ready to leave the country by the end of January.
“It’s a cruising boat with all the usual features you’ll find in a modern boat,” he said.
The yacht, believed to be worth $8million, boasts three cabins with en suite and a large kitchen.
Reva’s On The Waterfront owner Reva Meredith said the yacht had become an attraction this week.
“It’s beautiful and great to have in front of our restaurant and I am proud that it was built in Whangarei.”
A Whangarei resident who has worked in the marine industry saw Senator Kerry on board the yacht about lunchtime on Tuesday.
The boat was “a feather in the cap for all of the boating industry”, he said.
Wanganui photographer Graeme Mitchell-Anyon said he spotted Senator Kerry about 5pm on Tuesday at the Town Basin, examining the yacht.
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“You wouldn’t know it was him. He wore low-key clothing and was just wandering around.”
Mr Maconaghie said some of the work, except the sails and mast, had been sub-contracted.
His company has a US office and Mr Maconaghie said of the 20 yachts built in six years, two-thirds went to the US and the rest to Europe.