Operator applies to move catamaran

Lady of the Sounds, which may be moved to Lake Wakatipu. Photo supplied.
Lady of the Sounds, which may be moved to Lake Wakatipu. Photo supplied.
The oldest tourism operator in Milford Sound wants to expand its charter-boat business in Queenstown with the introduction of a 200-passenger vessel on Lake Wakatipu.

Southern Discoveries has applied to the Queenstown Lakes District Council to vary its current land use consent, under which its Queenstown Fishing Guides & Charters business operates.

The business said in a statement it is investigating substituting the current vessel, Queenstown Princess, a 13m catamaran, which carries up to 45 people, with Lady of the Sounds, a 26m vessel which can carry 200 people.

Lady of the Sounds is under survey in Bluff, but has undertaken cruises on Milford Sound for several years.

If consent was granted, the boat would be taken by road to Lake Wakatipu and put in the water at Kingston.

It would be used for a range of scheduled and charter services which are permitted under the existing consent. There would be consequential changes to the consent for food preparation and liquor sales.

Southern Discoveries general manager John Robson is overseas and unavailable for comment.